Advertising on craigslist

[Jngrbrdman]

How many of you put ads up on free classified sites like craigslist? Since Jennifer stoped working to allow me more time to detail I figured I would throw out a few ads. In the last two weeks I have generated 8 new customers based on hits from free online classified sites like craigslist. I am blown away. I put up a new one every other day or so just to keep myself at the top of the list. I am now designing the ads in html so I can use graphics and better formatting. It has significantly increased traffic to my website as well as obviously boosting business. My little part time gig has turned into a $500/week job based solely on online advertising. That $500 boat I did a couple weeks ago was a result of a free classified ad posting. I highly suggest you put yourself out there on a regular basis if you are looking for new business. It is amazing what people search for online.

[BenjiBoy650]

I bought my car on craigslist? I think that place is getting way big for their own good - you can hardly find good deals on cars there anymore...never really check anything else.

[Jngrbrdman]

That may be true, but if putting up a couple free ads will generate a couple thousand dollars worth of business, wouldn't you say it is worth it? I'm not putting stuff up there for my own benefit. I'm doing it for others who search for this kind of stuff.

[tooklean]

I have posted on craigslist and have gotten 0 results.

[Jngrbrdman]

How often are you posting though? At least in my area it seems that people aren't really searching with keywords as much as they are just scrolling through the first page. Once an ad gets past the first page I don't get any calls. If I keep it on top then people call. You can post the same ad in multiple categories too. I think another key thing is just eye appeal. If it is the same ole block of text that everybody has then it won't work. If you gussy it up a bit with some html to give your text some variety and add images, then it is much more professional looking and more attractive to customers.

[Dans Detailing]

I post in two to three differnt areas on craigslist and I get between 3-5 details a week off of it. I delete my ad and run a new one every other day.

[Bigtony]

where are you guys posting the ads? In the service section or in the for sale area? In the service area the add is good for 45 days(it does drop off like you said,you have to delete and relist in order to stay on top).I've received one phone call, but it was a nice one, medium sized used car dealer who appreciates good work and will pay for it.

[Squirtgun]

How do you list for a city that is not in the directory?Do you lits for a bigger metro area and weed out the calls you can not handle?

[BenjiBoy650]

Originally Posted by Squirtgun

How do you list for a city that is not in the directory?Do you lits for a bigger metro area and weed out the calls you can not handle?

I've seen posts in the SF Bay Area section that say (sometown, OR) in the post title as the location. It might work but...doubt it.

[Tex Star Detail]

I put an ad on craiglist. Got a call to do a 35 foot RV. Was about an hour away, but it paid well. Need to redo my ad.....

[tooklean]

I'm going to post again to see if I have any luck.

[karwaxer]

Every time I post an ad on craigslist I get some sort of response and generally I get at least 1 immediate job and a few inquiries, I post about twice a week. Hey all it takes is a little of your time and if it generates anything it hasnt cost you a cent.

[Jngrbrdman]

would anyone like to share effective layouts for placing your ads?

[detailz]

wow, i am impressed to hear the results. i will have to give it a shot. definitely sounds like a huge upside.

[Dans Detailing]

http://madison.craigslist.org/car/197297321.html

http://madison.craigslist.org/boa/198639391.html

those are my two ads that seems to get lots of results!