A lot of us are struggling to make ends meet these days, but according to eBay CEO John Donahoe, the average person has about $3,200 worth of stuff gathering dust at home. So, here’s how to turn your clutter into cash on websites like eBay, Craigslist and Etsy, courtesy of First magazine:
- So, what’s selling like hotcakes on eBay? Hard-to-find or discontinued make-up, vintage purses, and brand-name belts and accessories. To boost your sales, cross-list each item. For example, if you’re selling a pearl brooch – cross-list it under “pearls,” “brooch,” “pin,” and “jewelry” to make sure more bidders can find it. Also, provide multiple photographs. Since buyers are wary of fakes, include close-ups of any logos or trademarks, and don’t photograph items on the floor – because it devalues the item.
- What’s selling well on Craigslist? Heavy, bulky items that are too expensive to ship, like furniture, antiques, and exercise equipment. The trick: Focus on keywords. For example, if a buyer wants a couch, they may search for “sofa,” “love seat,” “couch” or “leather furniture” – so put all of those words in the title. Don’t waste space with phrases like “great bargain.” Also, customers are less likely to buy something they can’t touch. So help them better visualize the item by adding lots of details. Check every few days to see where your item is. If it has dropped off the bottom of the page – where it’s harder to find - you can repost it for free.
- Finally, when it comes to selling things online, what’s hot on Etsy.com? The website specializes in vintage and handmade items, and the most popular items are handmade jewelry. Your best bet, pick a descriptive user name for your Etsy account – because that’s how people will find your items. For example: Susan’s Vintage Apparel. “Vintage clothing, sewing patterns and antique jewelry.” If you’d like to go further, the website is Etsy.com.
