Date Posted: 2012-05-17 11:57:22
Site Posted: Myproperty.ph
Making a classified listing is simple. Just type up a few words, plug in a few pictures, add your contact details and voilà! Your ad is complete. But perhaps it is because the process is so easy that the number of available classifieds for browsing is enormously overwhelming. The challenge therefore is not how to create an ad but how to get noticed and get sold.
How then can one stand out from the competition short of paying extra to be featured dominantly? Just follow these simple tips and increase your chances of making the sale.
1. Add attractive pictures.
As the saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words." People scrolling through multiple listings will not take the time to read an essay on the specifications and merits of a unit, so make a strong impression with your photos. The pictures on your listing are the first thing that call attention, so if you want to get noticed, put pictures. And if you want to invite people to stay and learn more, put attractive pictures. According to a study conducted by MyProperty.ph, having attractive photos of your property can make it 5 times more effective!
To take attractive pictures of your property, start by using a proper camera with at least 5 megapixels so that photo does not come out grainy. Clean up the property or particular room as best you can. This means that it should be devoid of unneccessary elements such as people and pets, or anything offensive such as clutter and grime. The property should be well-lit, preferably with natural light so it is best to take the picture during the day. If this is not sufficient, turn on the electrical lights or use a camera with a soft flash. Next, try to compose and frame the property well within the boundaries of the camera lens. Try to take as much of the property as possible in a panaromic view and at a straight or level angle. If the property looks picture perfect in your camera's viewfinder, go ahead and snap the photo! If you are Photoshop savvy, you can, on addition, digitally edit your photos on your computer to crop out odd objects or to improve other aspects such as lighting and resolution. Do not use Photoshop, however, to misleadingly alter the look of the property as customers will know as soon as they inspect the site. If you are caught misrepresenting facts, this could sorely affect your credibility as a seller.
2. Use a straightforward title.
When it comes to your title it is important to be simple and to the point. A listing for a "3-Bedroom Apartment For Rent in QC, No Downpayment" is more clearly understood than "Limited Time Offer! Best Location Apartment near MRT and Bus Stations with 3 Bedrooms in the Heart of Quezon City! Downpayment Not Required!!" People know what they are looking for and it is important to provide them with the information they seek immediately without burying it in too many details.
You can keep your title short by sticking to keywords. Remember, it is easier for a property seeker to skip a lengthy, roundabout title than it is to read and digest all that information. It is even very likely that not all the information will display in its entirety due to restrictions in the site's layout. For example, the search results may summarize your title to the first few characters: "Limited Time Offer! Best Location Apartment near MRT..." It is therefore best to avoid the dramatic build-up and just give the most important information first.
3. Provide complete and organized information.
If the property seeker has been hooked by your beautiful photo and straightforward title, he will be compelled to read more. Thus, all the details important to the property seeker must be enumarated in the main body of the listing: price, size, number of bedrooms, furnishings, parking, location, etc. And let us not forget the contact details! A prospective tenant or buyer may be interested in the property, but if they do not know how to reach you, the entire purpose of the classified has been put to waste.
However, it is not enough for the information to be complete. It should also be organized in an easy-to-read format. Our suggestions: place sub-titles to label sections of related text, put breaks between paragraphs or sections so that it is easy to digest, use numbers or bullet points for a list, and employ key phrases for your bullet points instead of long sentences.
4. Do not over-embellish.
While a classified ad is an advertisement, there is no reason to bombard your customer with an entire sales pitch. Put your best foot forward and highlight your property's good points but do not be so hard-sell. People tend to get turned off and tune out overly aggressive advertising. Avoid text in all caps or using too many exaggerations and exclamation points.
5. Advertise in the proper channels.
The best place to advertise your property is in a credible and targeted medium where people specifically go to to search for real estate, such as MyProperty.ph. After all, one does not go to a fashion or food website to search for real estate. It is also important to place your ads in the proper categories: whether it is for rent or for sale, commercial or residential, etc. to make your property easier to find.
6. Have a neat profile picture.
The profile photo is the first image property seekers will see and the first impression they will have of the seller. Therefore, placing a neat profile picture of oneself can help property seekers gain more trust in your listing and can contribute to higher inquiries.
At the end of the day, a classified is there to encourage a sale so everything about the classified should have that goal in mind. Put yourself in your target audience's shoes and imagine what sort of listing you would gravitate to if you were the property seeker instead of the property seller. Exercise self-regulation and make use of our tips above to put together a more effective ad. Good luck and happy selling!
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