Copy-Cat-Copywriting

Q: "How do I write copy for a Craigslist ad?"

A. Quickly.

If you haven't heard of craigslist, go immediately to http://www.craigslist.com

I've sold a car on craigslist and hired some very good services. Craiglist can be a waste of effort or an essential member of your marketing team.

(1) Recognize the pricing realities of craigslist.

Buyers view craigslist as an alternative to eLance and Rent-a-Coder. Before advertising your own services, check your competition and decide if it's worth your while.

(2) Keep your craigslist market separate.

Let's say you already have clients paying you over $100 an hour for copywriting, design or consulting. But you have some extra time and you wonder if you can pick up some work at a lower rate. Consider getting a separate website, URL, identity -- and price list.

(3) Rather than advertise, I recommend answering ads that fit your skills. You can answer ads from any city as long as they say 'telecommute ok."

(4) When answering ads, be brief. A one-liner with directions to your website works best, I'm told.

Competition can be fierce. One web designer told me, "Anyone who posts will get a dozen responses in an hour." So don't waste time; send a short message and move on.

When posting, use a line or two to demonstrate credibility and price. If you're local, list neighborhoods you serve.

I hired a computer geek who promised "15 years in the business." He got my Dell set up and I brought him back for a follow-up problem. You can use a similar strategy when

(5) When hiring others, be very specific about what you want.

Start with a small assignment before assigning a big project. Pay with PayPal, check or credit card.

Labels: craigslist, practicality