Craigslist Photo Tip: How to Show Big, Clear Photos So Your Stuff Sells
April 14, 2010 in This & That
Last time we talked about selling on Craigslist, and I want to make sure that everyone who tries to sell their stuff knows this tip.
When you want to sell something online, the picture is everything. Don’t list an ad without a photo — a buyer will just choose someone else’s. How do you make sure your photo looks great?
A few months ago I wanted to buy an ice cream maker, so I decided to sell my bread machine to make some space.
Here was my photo of it. I tried to make it look as appealing as possible, showing people exactly what they were getting and what the condition was like, and that it came from a home where it was well taken care of.
But when I uploaded my photo to Craigslist, it looked like this: shrunken and fuzzy resolution.
How do you make your uploaded photos look as good as your original ones, nice and big and clear?
You use an image hosting site, and here’s how:
1. Create a free account at an image hosting website. I’m using Photobucket.
2. Upload your photos to Photobucket from your computer.
3. Once you’ve uploaded and saved your photo, Photobucket will show you ways to link to it. Click on the HTML Code to highlight and copy it.
4. When you write your Craigslist ad, paste the HTML code into your ad where you want the photo to be.
When you finish writing your description and save it, you’ll see your nice big photo, and everyone else will too.
(P.S. I found my ice cream maker on Craigslist too, for $20, so it was a nice trade.)
I do this too. The first photography book I read was Ebay photos that sell, which gave phenomenal information on taking great pics of products that you plan to sell. It taught me a lot. I use Flickr, and the same method to put up product pics. Great idea to share!
Thank you for this. I will soon be listing some things on CL, so will definitely follow your (very easy) instructions.
Yes, good post! I’ve been lazy lately when selling on craigslist – but I always try to get at least one photo in there. (ok, it’s mainly because my house is so dark that it’s so difficult to take nice photos of something I just want out of my hair asap). I hate looking at ads with no photo. I mean, really, people: A chair with no photo? I mean, come on, people – I’m not going to drive 30 minutes to see it if I have no clue what it looks like! Same with apartment ads. Um – at least give me some IDEA what to expect.
Also – it pays to make up SEPARATE ads for different items. Even if you have a lot that you’re selling. You can then upload photos of each item rather than just one or two.
sarah´s last blog post ..keeping it in perspective.
Great tip! I have had this issue and not known how to correct it. Thanks for this step by step.
Meredith from Penelope Loves Lists´s last blog post ..My Panties Match My Vespa. Is that weird?
Thank you for this posting. I never knew how to do this and your directions were wonderful. I really like this blog.
Such a fabulous tip that many don’t know about! I did this same thing a few months ago when my husband and I sold a refrigerator on Craigslist. I even had one lady ask me if the photographs were actually of my item and not taken from a website!
The problem with this is that if you don’t upload a photo with their uploader the “pic” icon won’t show up after your post, and people will think there is no photo. My advice would be to maybe put your main photos on this way, and then a less important supporting photo using their uploader to get the best of both worlds!
That may have been an issue before, but if so they have fixed it.
Your ad shows up in the list followed by “img” instead of “pic”.
Most importantly, your post will still show up in people’s search results if they limit their searches to only show ads with photos.
Rachel,
Please don’t hesitate to give us all your tips. You are wise beyond your years and I consider myself blessed to have found your blog. It brings considerable help to my life.
Thank you!
That is such a good tip. Good photos with good lighting make a significant difference when selling on craigslist or ebay, etc. And thanks for the photobucket tip- I’ll try that next time!
tacy´s last blog post ..A Simple Organizing Solution
Thanks! What a timely article for me as I am getting ready to list some items on Craigslist!
LOVE this blog!! This is such a great tip/walkthrough!! I shop craigslist ALL the time and I don’t even glance at the post w/out a pic!!
I will do my pics this way from now on! Thanks!
Catie´s last blog post ..Top Ten Kitchen Items I Can’t Live Without
Fabulous post! I was just asking my husband how to do this and he didn’t know how. Now I know how.
Thank you!
Great tip! I think your description can also go a long way towards helping you sell something!! We recently sold a mattress that was only a year old and was just not comfortable for my husband and I. We weren’t happy about having to buy a new mattress again so soon and wanted to get a decent price for the one we were selling. We live in a small town and yet there were at least 6 other Queen sized mattress sets available when I posted ours, but the lady who bought it at our asking price (which was higher than a lot of the other ones!) told us that the combo of our pic and the detailed description (no stains, euro pillow top that has been turned regularly and always had a protective mattress pad, etc) sold her instantly.
Jen´s last blog post ..Cranky
Wow! I never thought to do this. Great, great idea.
anna´s last blog post ..Not Your Grandmother’s Brussels
Wow that is extremely helpful information! Thanks for sharing!
Holly F´s last blog post ..PVL
Great tip! I had no idea you could do this. I’m definitely going to be doing this from now on!
Kacey´s last blog post ..Distressed White Side Table
This is a great tip. I was just planning, yesterday,to put an ottoman up on Craigslist. I will keep this tip in mind. Thanks.
Also, I am enjoying your blog quite a bit and I discovered it through Simple Organic/Mom/Bites (I don’t remember the exact one…).
Thanks for the hints. I’ve had a kiln sitting in my attic for the last few years that I have no intention of using. Off to list it on Craigslist today!
I have used Craigslist successfully in past, and pictures are great. I have noticed, even if I wanted to give away “free” items, pictures still helped. Having a clear image like you showed sure helps. I have to try it out. Thank you.
Zengirl: Heart and Mind´s last blog post ..101 changes: Change 3 – Slow blogging
Thanks for the tip, I am always trying to sell stuff on Craigslist.
Thank you…Thank you…Thank you for sharing this wonderful information!!! I use CraigsList to buy and sell all the time, and have ALWAYS wondered how folks published their larger, much clearer pictures…..WOW…can’t thank you enough!!
Thank you so much fine people. I’ve been getting more response on my CL listings since including many large, clear, vivid pictures.
peace & Thank You!!
Awesome post! Thank you so much for writing this; my husband says its the most useful thing I’ve forwarded to him in ages.
Sofia’s Ideas´s last blog post ..Happy Earth Day 2010
photos speaks much than what we can speak or write….
having photo of the merchandise will surely help.
Awesome post !!!
i think having a photo of this merchandise will surely help us..
Thanks for sharing
Thanks so much for this! I just posted several things, and this made my listings so much better.
Thank you so much. I just ran across you blog today and I’m so glad I did. I had a few things I’ve been wanting to post. Your instructions worked perfectly. Look forward to reading lots of posts on your blog