Facebook Marketplace is a relatively new feature that launched in the United States on October 29th, 2016. It’s not an app you download to your phone, but rather it lives inside the Facebook app and can be accessed by clicking on “Marketplace” at the top of your screen. The way it works is very similar to Craigslist or other online classifieds sites where people use their phones or computers to post items they want to sell with descriptions and asking prices for others who might want them.
If you’re looking for a great way to make money from home then this blog post will give you all sorts of tips and tricks for how YOU can make money on Facebook Marketplace too!
How Do People Make Money On Facebook Marketplace?
Selling Items You Already Own:
The most common way people make money on Facebook Marketplace is by selling items that they already own. Whether you have a bunch of old VHS tapes, DVDs, video games or other media collecting dust in your home you can list them for sale and use the Facebook Marketplace to find buyers who are looking for what you’re trying to sell!
When someone wants an item from another user it’s up to THEM whether or not how much they want to pay so if there’s something specific you really need then be sure and include some information about why YOUR item is better than all the others listed and maybe even mention its condition (if applicable).
Flipping Garage Sale and Thrift Items:
Another great way people make money with their stuff through Facebook Marketplace is by buying items at garage sales or thrift stores and then selling them on the Marketplace for a profit.
This is especially effective if you’re looking to make some quick cash because people will just post whatever they have right away without doing tons of research online beforehand so it’s important that YOU do your homework! Find out what sorts of prices similar items are listed at in different places around town, don’t be afraid to ask how much an item costs when someone has it up for sale or what sort of deals exist between sellers (i.e., “I’ll take all 20 movies off your hands for $15”).
Sell Services:
Another creative way to make money on Facebook marketplace is to sell services for other people.
For example I sell firewood on there for a good friend of mine and for every sale i get I make a percentage. This is very convenient because I rarely have to leave the house to make extra money.
Sometimes the customers pay me extra for stacking the firewood but that’s the only time I really have to get my hands dirty.
The way to do this is to reach out to someone who sells a service that you see could sell well on Facebook and discuss a percentage with them. Once you agree to a certain percentage all you have to do is list the item or service on Facebook Marketplace and you’re good to go.
You can also list it on Craigslist for additional sales if you want.
Flipping Furniture:
If you’re looking to make money on Facebook Marketplace and happen to own a truck then this is the best way to do it.
Furniture is one of those things that people always need but don’t want to go out and buy themselves so if they can find someone selling what they want for a decent price (and with FREE DELIVERY) then they’d be crazy not too!
Selling furniture takes some knowledge about how much similar pieces sell for in your region, whether or not there are any stains or damage that could deter customers from wanting them anyway and making sure everything works properly before delivery just makes sense because most buyers won’t offer more than 50% of the value without seeing proof that their item does indeed work.
Couches are one of the most commonly traded items on Facebook Marketplace so you can always get a good idea of what people are willing to pay for one based off the prices listed by other sellers.
Couches are very easy to clean up which makes it easy to make them nice and flip resell them for a higher price.
How to find items to sell on Facebook Marketplace
You can simply look around your house if you just want to sell stuff you’re looking to get rid of.
Another way is to buy things wholesale. For example people are losing their phone chargers all the time. If you go to a phone accessories wholesaler and buy 100 chargers for $100 then sell them on Facebook marketplace for $20 each that’s an easy way to make money.
Other ideas include buying cheap items from thrift stores, yard sales or garage sales and reselling at a higher price on Facebook.
Another good idea is to look outside of your own town where other people may have more need for what you’re selling because they can’t get it locally so this opens up an opportunity if their prices are lower than yours but still profitable enough. You just have to be willing to travel!
One final tip is don’t limit yourself by location when making listings in Facebook Marketplace. You can always get paid via debit card and ship the items to potential customers.
Tips for selling successfully on Facebook Marketplace
Be Transparent About The Product:
Be clear and honest about what you’re selling.
If it’s a shirt that has some stains on the collar then say so no matter how small they actually are! If someone is willing to buy your product sight unseen there’s obviously going to be SOMETHING wrong with it or they wouldn’t want it (unless of course you’ve got like super amazing deals, but in my experience most people don’t).
Be Transparent About Price:
If you know something isn’t worth very much make sure to let potential customers know this because many times when I see items listed for way more than their value I just ignore them which means less sales for me. Be fair! Don’t price gouge by any means but also consider who your customer base is and how much they can afford.
Be Transparent About Shipping:
Many people don’t want to spend a lot of money on shipping fees so make sure you’re clear about what the costs will be before accepting payment from your customer. If it’s possible, try listing an estimate or using flat rate boxes when shipping! You’ll get tons more sales this way because customers won’t hesitate if they know exactly how much their total cost for everything will actually end up being (no surprises).
Communicate Well To Get Good Ratings:
If you don’t communicate well there’s a good chance you won’t get a good rating. Not getting a good rating could cause you to not get future sales which sucks!
Take the time to ask questions, confirm details and be friendly when communicating with customers. It’s also a great idea to leave feedback for your customer after they’ve left you some in return because this could make it easier for them to trust you if their experience was incredible.
Be Reliable:
If someone buys something from you make sure that YOU are available…don’t let them down by having an excuse as to why there isn’t any firewood stacked up or whatever else is being sold at the original agreed upon date/time of delivery. This will cause those people who actually took the time out of their day (and busy lives) just like everyone else does every single day, to not want to do business with you again which means less sales for you.
Best practices and safety precautions when using Facebook Marketplace
Don’t Trust Strangers:
When you sell something on Facebook Marketplace it’s crucial that you make sure the person who is buying from you is someone YOU trust. Even if they have a lot of positive feedback upon further investigation I’ve realized many times this could be possible fraud so don’t take chances!
If at all possible try to meet your customer in a safe and public place. Avoid meeting at night or any other time that may seem sketchy.
If you’re planning on shipping the items to them via post make sure the address is correct as well before sending! If there’s been an error, try confirming it with them by another means of communication such as text message or phone call.
Pack Everything Carefully:
If you’re sending your item in the mail, make sure to take care when packaging it!
I recommend investing in a specific box or mailing envelope for this purpose because I’ve had great success with these specific options (especially compared to reusing boxes that could potentially damage the product). Even the best packaging in the world can’t save a product that’s been damaged so take your time to make sure it arrives in one piece!
Common scams and how to avoid them
Don’t Ship Before Payment:
I’ve seen so many people get scammed over the years because they were too generous or trusting. Don’t trust your customers to pay you before shipping! Make them wait until after the items have been received and are in good condition…this is just a common sense thing that could save you from being taken advantage of.
People will say anything to try and convince sellers that it’s okay if payment isn’t made beforehand but this couldn’t be further from the truth! If someone really wants what you’re selling, chances are they’ll be more than happy to make sure the transaction goes smoothly by paying for it upon receiving their new item/products. Keep yourself safe, keep yourself protected – don’t agree to anything that makes you feel like something isn’t right.
What Are Some Other Ways To Make Money On Facebook?
Facebook Groups:
Creating your own facebook group is a great way to make money on facebook. The best part about this is that it’s completely free!
Here are some ideas for creating your own group:
– ask family and friends if they would like an exclusive access invite (this could also be used as a means of keeping spam out)
– create groups around interests related to the products you sell – these can include hobbies or even business ventures such as affiliate marketing or selling other types of products online…the possibilities are endless!
Promoting Your Services On Local Groups:
Most local groups have a marketplace of some sort where individuals can post items they’re selling. Other than being on the lookout for any scams or questionable behavior, this is a great opportunity to promote your services and sell directly to those in your community!
Facebook Ads:
I’ve personally never used Facebook ads but I know that many people have been successful with it so it’s definitely worth looking into if you want another avenue for generating extra income from home!
Frequently Asked Questions About Facebook Marketplace:
Can You Do Affiliate Marketing On Facebook Marketplace?
You’re able to post affiliate links on a business page or personal page, but when it comes to Facebook marketplace, this isn’t a good practice.
This is because Facebook marketplace is mainly for products that you already have posession of. Posting an affiliate link in the marketplace would be considered as spam.
Where Are Facebook Marketplace Messages?
Facebook Marketplace messages are similar to Facebook inbox messages. You can access them by clicking on the “message requests” tab in your Facebook sidebar menu.
How Do I Add An Item To My Market Place?
To add an item you’ll need to go into the marketplace section of facebook and click on “items for sale”. From there, select what type of product it is that you want to sell (i.e., clothing, electronics etc.) Once selected – enter all pertinent information about what you’re selling including price, condition etc…and then press submit! That’s it!
How Do Facebook Marketplace Ratings Work?
Facebook Marketplace ratings work similarly to how Facebook overall works as far as giving and receiving feedback. Once you’ve received your item, whether it was a positive experience or not – be sure to leave feedback on the person who sold it to you!
Are Facebook Marketplace Messages Private?
Yes Facebook Marketplace messages are between you and the person who’s interested in the product you’re selling . However, you can choose to mark them as public and allow anyone to see that message exchange in the marketplace section of Facebook.
Where Do Facebook Marketplace Payments Go?
Facebook Marketplace payments go directly into your Facebook payment account.
You can then withdraw that money to one of your linked bank accounts or you could use it for future purchases on facebook marketplace!
What Are The Requirements For Facebook Marketplace?
Facebook marketplace is available for anyone who has a Facebook account and uses the desktop version of facebook.
Can Facebook Marketplace Be Hacked?
As far as I know, no. Facebook Marketplace is a safe platform and you should never have to worry about your account getting hacked if you’re taking the proper precautions!
Do Facebook Marketplace Messages Delete?
No, Facebook Marketplace messages stay in the inbox until you delete them.
How Does Facebook Marketplace Make Money?
You may be wondering how Facebook makes money off of Facebook marketplace. They make money in two ways. The first way is by people promoting their products and paying money to push it out to their preferred audience. The second way is by taking a cut from sales that go through the payment system of Facebook.
Conclusion:
If you want to make money online and specifically on Facebook Marketplace, the best way is by posting items that are in demand. These can be new or used goods and include anything from clothing to appliances. Be sure to price your items competitively so that they’ll sell quickly for a profit. You may also wish to post an item every day since there are people who browse Facebook multiple times per day looking for deals. Make sure you use good quality photos of your products as well as descriptions detailing what makes them high-quality merchandise at reasonable prices!
If this blog post helped you learn about how to make more money online please share it on social media.
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