Make Money on Craigslist

By: Robert Greco

By now you should understand the power behind one the nets most powerful classified ad sites around; Craigslist.  It makes no difference; buying or selling or running an online business, craigslist is a must for any netreprenuer looking to make money on craigslist. 

Before you decide to go out and make money on craigslist, understand that having a solid foundation in what makes craigslist tick takes priority.  If not, you may get blacklisted or receive a nasty letter from the good folks at craigslist. 

What you are about to learn, in order to make money on craigslist, is to be used at your own discretion.  Remember, there is no secret weapon or loophole to be found in order to make money on craigslist.  However you are about to learn untold methods and procedures needed in order to be successful on craigslist.

It doesnt matter what you sell or promote in order to make money on craigslist.  It’s the marketing methods and procedures that will turn $1.00 into $1,000.00 right before your eyes! So let’s get started…

Simply Trick to Make Money on Craigslist

One of the most popular complaints from Craigslist users looking to make money on craigslist is that their posting(s) doesnt get published.  Even after confirmation, some ads do not get posted and user end up getting very frustrated.  There are many reasons these ads do not get published.  Rather than overwhelming your brain with details, let’s look at a basic fact of craigslist that gets users banned on a routine basis.

First, we must understand Craigslist guidelines.  Posting guidelines set by Craigslist are pretty straight forward.  As far as posting time-frames are concerned, Craigslist specifies that you can only post one (1) ad per 48 hours. 

Number One Rule: Don’t Over-Post… "Over-posting" is a huge problem that leads to ads not being published.  But why is it that "over-posting" causes ads from not being published?

Simply enough, "over-posting" creates a spam.  If you are serious and want to make money on craigslist, then don’t spam!  Think about it for a second….why was Craigslist created?  Craigslist was created to connect people on a LOCAL basis.  If you were to post the same ad to 35 cities in 35 different states you are no longer using Craigslist in the way it was meant for and therefore you are spamming.

Keep in mind that Craigslist software is very intelligent.  Their software notices that multiple ads (similar, if not the same) have been posted multiple times.  When this happens the "Spam Flag" (as I call it) pops up and your ad (even after confirmation) is labeled "spam" and removed from the classifieds.

How can you make money on craigslist if all your ads get flagged as spam?

The bigger question remains. How can multiple listings be published without Craigslist removing the ad?  This question has a really long answer because there is not one simple answer.  So, let's talk about one way to get your ad to stick on craigslist without be flagged by user or flagged as spam by craigslist.

If you want to make money on craigslist, you need to use different email addresses.

A simple task that is overlooked by many can be the difference between getting an ad posted on Craigslist and not getting an ad posted on Craigslist.  Remember, you goal is to make money on craigslist, not get you IP banned.

Why would using different email addresses change anything and/or improve your posting success rate? 

If you have 10 ads or 10 items for sale that you would like to post a classified for these items you can do one of two things.  One, you can post all 10 ads with the same email address and probably get 75% of your ads deleted by the Craigslist software robot within seconds of posting you ads.  Two, you can create multiple email address giving each of your ads its own identity. 

The best scenario in this situation in order to make money on craiglist would be for you to create 10 different accounts.  In turn, this creates 10 different postings as Craigslist looks for similar/identical posting including everything from email addresses to page links.  FYI - Just because you have 10 different email addresses does not mean that all 10 ads will get posted.  This technique does however greatly increase your odds in having your classified posts live and not deleted by Craigslist.  Remember, in order to make money on craigslist you want all your ads to be different.  It does not matter if the difference is a word or a number. 

At this current point in time the best provider you can use is Gmail.  Craigslist has the power to block IP addresses, block IP providers, block mail providers and so forth.  Google is an internet god (not to be confused with the real "God") it would not be in Craigslist’s best interest to block Gmail accounts.  Craigslist would lose tons of revenue and visitors if they did so.  For the time being, use Gmail as your primary source.

You can create a Gmail login name in under three minutes; it's fast, easy and free.  Personally I can create over 400 email accounts per hour!  Keep in mind I would use a personal hosting account.  And yes, I have created over 400 accounts in one hour… Creating hundreds of mail accounts is highly encouraged if you plan to make money on craigslist.

Make Money on Craigslist by Getting Your Ads to Stick 

Having multiple email address is a “must” when posting on Craigslist, but it really sucks to log into 10 or more different accounts to confirm a post.  You’re here to make money on craigslist, not waste time.

You could create a Craigslist user login and save yourself time from confirming posts within an account.  But it takes even more time to create the account within Craigslist, confirm your Craigslist account by logging into your account and then going back to Craigslist to create a password for your account.  This theory on having Craigslist accounts vs. not having a Craigslist account is a never ending battle. 

I personally do not create Craigslist accounts, it takes too long and it is boring. Let me show you:

The Boring Theory:

1 - Create an email account (3 minutes)

2 - Create a Craigslist user account (2 minutes)

3 - Go back to your email account and confirm your Craigslist account (2 minutes, system delay accounted for)

4 - Click on the link inside of your email from Craigslist (10 sec)

5 - Go back to Craigslist and create a password and confirm (1 minute)

6 - Log into your Craigslist account (30 seconds)

7 - Post your classified ad (2 minutes or less)

Total time wasted: 10 minutes 40 seconds

The Smart & Lazy Theory:

1 - Create an email account (3 minutes)

2 - Post classified ad (2 minutes or less)

3 - Go back to your email account and confirm post (2 minutes, system delay account for)

Total time utilized: 7 minutes

* Keep in mind that I estimated on the high end due to slower internet connection speeds.  Fast internet connections can perform the above tasks in half the time or more then the time(s) posted above.  Once you get into a "posting groove" you should be able to post at least 25 - 40 ads per hour if you are creating new addresses between posts.

Quick Tip: If you ever need something do be done fast and easy, find a lazy person to fulfill the task.  Lazy people will find the simplest and fastest way to get something done.  None of us needs perfection, all we need is results!

Let's be lazy, instead of creating Craigslist user accounts, simply don't create Craigslist user accounts as you save about three minutes or more of time per account you don't create.  You don't need a Craigslist user account to post ads.

Here is where the super lazy part comes into play; In order to make money on craigslist, you must also create a master email account.  After you have created your "master" account, all of your newly created email accounts will be forwarded into your mater account (just go into your settings).  By doing it this way you no longer need to log into individual accounts.  The only things you need to do are log into one email account (the master account) and confirm the ads inside your inbox! This is a no-brainer and saves massive amounts of time.

I know many people that make money on craigslist and only create Craigslist user accounts.  I have used both methods and by not creating Craigslist user accounts is clearly the fastest, easiest and least boring way of posting ads, hands down.

Quick Tip 2: Create a spreadsheet detailing all your email accounts and passwords.  BECOME ORGANIZED if you want to make money on craigslist!!!!

This is just the beginning if you want to make money on craigslist.  There is so much more to learn and tell, and you can learn it all here to make money on craigslist

* At no point in time is this information to be confused with or associated with spam or acts that may violate any company, organization or individual policy. This information in intented for personal education only.  P.S. Spamming is unethical, evil and illegal.