Mastering the Art of Selling on Facebook Marketplace

Her Journey to Getting Started

Kayley’s earnings came effortlessly, as she has always had a passion for crafting, painting, calligraphy, and drawing.

Step 1: Conduct Thorough Research

Step 2: Set the Right Price

Take note of how similar items are priced and make sure your price is competitive. But finding the sweet spot is key: "Pricing too low might attract too many inquiries, and you could have priced your item $10 to $20 higher and still gotten interest," Kayley explains. "On the flip side, setting a price that's too high might turn people away."

Step 3: Stay Detached

"Negotiations and discount requests are common, so don't take it personally if someone asks for a better deal," Kayley advises. The goal is to part with the item, and focusing on making a reasonable profit rather than the highest possible profit can help increase your sales.

Kayley often sources her items for free or at a very low cost, which allows her to focus on flipping them quickly instead of stressing over large profits from items she didn’t spend much on initially.

Step 4: Present Your Work At Its Best in Photos

You’ve invested time, effort, and possibly a bit of money into your craft, but if that’s not properly showcased in your listing photos, none of it matters.

"Great photography is essential," Kayley emphasizes. "Your goal is to make sure your photo stands out from the rest. You want people to pause when they see your image as they scroll through Marketplace. This is the key to drawing customers in."

Kayley suggests staging your item against a brick wall, lush greenery, or another picturesque setting. "These elements not only highlight your item, but they also communicate to potential buyers that you are professional, that you care for your products, and that you're serious about your business!"

Photo quality matters too. Kayley recommends taking her photos during the golden hour (just before sunset), as it improves the overall look of the item. She uses a new iPhone, though a regular camera works just as well. Avoid over-editing or filtering the image—you want potential buyers to see the product clearly, so there are no surprises later on.

Step 5: Get the Word Out

Create a unique brand and style for your products and listing photos. "My signature vintage look has become recognizable in my area," says Kayley. When buyers recognize your distinctive style and trust the quality of your products, they'll be more likely to return and easily find your listings.

Step 6: Be Open to Negotiation

This ties back to tip #3: Don't become too attached to your products. People will want to haggle, and Kayley suggests that being flexible with your price (within reason) leads to a smoother transaction, which can encourage repeat customers.

Kayley recommends slightly inflating your prices with the intention to negotiate. (She mentions that almost every customer asks for a discount.) "For example, if you want to sell a wall clock for $15, list it for $18. This gives you a $3 cushion," she explains. "If someone offers you $10, you can counter at $15 and still hit your target price."