How to Write Ad Headlines on Craigslist
When a user browses Craigslist listings, be it with the ultimate goal of purchasing an item, finding a job or even getting a date for the night, the only aspect of ads he sees from the get-go are the ad headlines. As a result, writing an attention-getting, descriptive Craigslist headline is essential if you want to entice visitors to the site to click your ad.
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Instructions
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Provide as much information as possible, regardless of any description you later add. For example, if you're selling a car, a headline like "Red 2000 Honda Civic EX Coupe" is much more descriptive than "Used Honda Civic."
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Avoid including obvious information or information stated elsewhere in the ad headline. For example, Craigslist allows you to provide a price and the item's location -- and displays these alongside the headline -- so posting this information in the headline wastes space. Additionally, don't include phrases like "For Sale" unless the category you post to also includes item for rent or lease.
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Make headlines as concise as possible, using adjectives only if necessary. Typing "Orange Pleather IKEA Loveseat," for example, informs the reader that the loveseat is made of orange pleather, something that he needs to know prior to making the purchasing. Including the adjective "funky" is unnecessary, as most people understand that an orange, pleather couch is funky. Save frivolous descriptions for your main ad copy, unless you have the spare room in your title.
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Tips & Warnings
Another way to set your ad off from the rest is to upload an image within it. Doing so places an orange "image" tag next to your item in the listings, which draws a visitor's eye to it. Some visitors even search such that only ads with images come up, so take the extra minute or so an upload at least one picture to your ad.
