Writing
How to write a Facebook Marketplace listing that sells
Updated · 4 min read
The short answer
A listing that sells says exactly what the item is, shows its real condition and asks a fair price. Put the brand, the item and one key detail in the title. In the description, give the size, age, condition and any faults, then say how pickup works. Honest, specific listings get better questions and fewer wasted trips.
- Title: brand, item, then the detail a buyer would search for.
- Description: size, age, condition, faults, what is included, and pickup.
- Name every fault. It builds trust and saves arguments at the door.
- Skip capitals, exclamation marks and anything you cannot back up.
What makes a good listing title?
Buyers search, then scan. A good title uses the words they type and tells them at a glance whether to tap. The pattern that works is brand, item, key detail: the detail is whatever a buyer most needs to know, such as the size, the model or the material.
| Instead of | Write |
|---|---|
| Chair | Oak dining chairs, set of 4, cream seats |
| Bike for sale!! | Giant hybrid bike, medium frame, 21 gears |
| Kids stuff | Wooden train set, about 60 pieces, with table |
| TV | Samsung 55 inch 4K smart TV with remote |
Leave the price, your suburb and words like "bargain" out of the title. Marketplace already shows the price and location, and the extra words push the useful ones out of view.
What should the description include?
A good description answers the questions a buyer would otherwise message you to ask. A few short lines are enough to cover:
- What the item is, in a sentence, including the brand and model if you know them.
- Size: measurements for furniture, clothing sizes, screen sizes or capacity.
- Age and use: roughly how old the item is and how much it has been used.
- Condition and faults: every scratch, stain, chip or missing part.
- What is included: cables, remotes, boxes, manuals or spare parts.
- Pickup: your general area, and whether collection needs two people or a van.
Solid oak dining chairs, set of four, with cream fabric seats.
About five years old, used daily. Frames are sturdy with no wobble.
One seat has a small tea stain, shown in the last photo.
Each chair is 45 cm wide and 92 cm tall.
Pickup from Fremantle. They fit in a hatchback with the seats down.
How do I describe condition honestly?
Marketplace asks you to choose a condition. Pick the one a stranger would agree with when they see the item, then use the description to say why.
| Condition | Use it when |
|---|---|
| New | It has never been used, ideally still in its packaging |
| Used, like new | It has been used but shows no visible wear |
| Used, good | It works well and has minor marks from normal use |
| Used, fair | It works but has clear wear, damage or missing parts |
If you are torn between two conditions, choose the lower one. A buyer who expects "good" and finds "like new" is delighted. The other way round, a buyer who expects "like new" and finds marks walks away or asks for money off.
What should I leave out?
Leave these out of your Marketplace listing:
- Capitals and exclamation marks. They read as shouting, and as a hard sell.
- Claims you cannot back up, such as "worth $500" or "barely used" on something that is worn.
- Personal details, such as your phone number, your full address or anything about when the house is empty.
- A second listing for the same thing. Duplicate listings are a common reason for removal. Renew or edit the one you have.
- Items Marketplace does not allow. The full list is in Facebook's Commerce Policies.
Can an app write the listing for me?
Yes, SnapVent writes the title, description, condition and a suggested price from your photos in this same plain style, including any visible wear. You read the draft, add details the camera could not know (such as the item's age or why you are selling), and publish the listing yourself.
Questions people also ask
How long should a Marketplace description be?
A Marketplace description should be a few short lines: long enough to cover size, condition, faults and pickup, and short enough to read on a phone without scrolling far.
Should I say why I am selling?
Sharing why you are selling helps if the reason is reassuring, such as moving house or upgrading. Mentioning a reason is optional, and one short sentence is plenty.
What does ONO mean in a listing?
ONO means "or nearest offer". It tells buyers the price is open to reasonable offers.
Do I need to mention small scratches?
Yes, mention small scratches in the description and photograph them. Buyers forgive wear they were told about upfront, and showing it avoids a dispute when they arrive.
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SnapVent is an independent product and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Meta. Facebook and Marketplace are trademarks of Meta Platforms, Inc.