Get More Gigs from Craigslist
Tips and Techniques to Increase your Business from Craigslist
Don Goins
Smashwords Edition 10-12-09
Copyright 2009 Don Goins
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INTRODUCTION
Hi. My name is Don Goins and I’ve been a Craigslister for the past year and a half. I love Craigslist. It is a great way for me to advertise my services and to find work from potential clients. I have been able to make a comfortable living as a service provider utilizing only Craigslist for my marketing. Best of all; it’s free! I often get phone calls and emails from phonebook companies and website designers that saw my ad on Craigslist. They want me to use their products and services to increase my business. I just chuckle and reply “Sure, if you charge what Craigslist charges me.” That’s usually the end of the conversation. I’ve tried small ads in community newspapers, door hangers, signs on my truck, etc. but 99% of my business comes from Craigslist.
After losing my job in 2007, a friend of mine suggested that I post my services as a handyman on Craigslist. I did, and waited for the phone to ring. Nothing happen. I responded to postings from people looking for work to be done. Again, I got no replies. I was about to give up. Then my skills in marketing (my major in college) kicked in. I really started looking at my competitors; how they posted their services and how they responded to ads. I discovered one major fact: they all looked the same! And, unfortunately, mine looked no different. So I began figuring out ways to make my ads and replies stand out. Just like magic, my phone began to ring and I started working. Since that time I have developed other techniques for getting jobs from Craigslist.