TL;DR
A listing that sells has a searchable title, honest photos, a description that answers questions before they are asked, and a fair comp-backed price. Lead with what buyers search for, state condition plainly, and give clear pickup details.
The listing does the selling before you ever chat with a buyer. A strong one pulls the right people in, answers their questions upfront, and filters out time-wasters. A weak one gets ignored or drowns you in 'is this still available' with no follow-through. Getting the listing right is the cheapest way to sell faster.
Write a searchable title
The title is what gets you found. Use the words a buyer would actually type: brand, item type, model, size, and color. Not 'nice table' but 'IKEA solid wood dining table seats 6.' Lead with the most searched term. A specific, keyword-rich title puts your listing in front of people who are already looking for exactly what you have.
State condition honestly
- Describe condition plainly - like new, good with minor wear, or has flaws, and name the flaws.
- Show any damage in the photos so there are no surprises at the meetup.
- Note what is included and what is not, such as missing cables or original box.
- Honesty upfront prevents no-shows and haggling when the buyer arrives and sees the real item.
Use good photos
Photos sell harder than words. Shoot in good light, clean the item first, use a plain background, and take several angles including any flaws. The first photo is your thumbnail, so make it the clearest, most flattering shot. Buyers scroll fast - a bright, honest lead photo is what stops the scroll and earns the click.
Price it and set the terms
Price from recent sold comps with a little negotiation room built in, and state your terms plainly: pickup area, cash or accepted payment, and whether you deliver. A line like 'porch pickup in [area], cash only, firm-ish' sets expectations and cuts the back-and-forth. Clear terms mean the buyers who message you are ready to actually buy.
Keep it skimmable
Buyers skim, so use short lines and plain words. A tight title, a few honest sentences, the key details, and the price is enough. You are not writing an essay - you are giving a ready buyer everything they need to decide yes. The faster they can decide, the faster the item sells.
Common questions
What makes a listing title good?
It uses the words buyers actually search: brand, item type, model, size, and color, with the most searched term first. A specific title like IKEA solid wood dining table seats 6 gets found, while a vague nice table gets buried.
How much detail should the description have?
Enough to answer the obvious questions upfront - dimensions, condition, brand, age, what is included, and pickup area. Every question a buyer must message about is a chance for them to move on. Pre-answering earns serious buyers and fewer dead-end messages.
How honest should I be about condition?
Completely. State the condition plainly, name any flaws, and show them in the photos. Honesty upfront prevents no-shows and haggling when the buyer sees the real item at the meetup. Hidden flaws only cost you time later.
How important are the photos?
They sell harder than words. Shoot in good light on a clean, plain background from several angles, including flaws. Make the first photo your clearest shot since it is the thumbnail that stops the scroll and earns the click.
Should I put my terms in the listing?
Yes. State pickup area, accepted payment, and whether you deliver. A clear line like porch pickup in your area, cash only sets expectations and cuts back-and-forth, so the buyers who message you are ready to actually buy.
How long should a listing be?
Short and skimmable. A tight title, a few honest sentences, the key details, and the price cover most items. Buyers skim, so plain words and short lines beat a long block of text they will not read.
Keep going
Write listings that sell the item before you chat
Get the other 39 in the buyer stack, plus the full FB Marketplace Resellers Club community - $9/mo, cancel anytime.
Join the Club