subject: More Ways for You To Get the Most from Craigslist – Making Contact with Other Craigslist Users [print this page] More Ways for You To Get the Most from Craigslist Making Contact with Other Craigslist Users
Welcome back! We are continuing to share tips on making contact with other Craigslist users. Whether you are looking to buy something, land a job, or get a paid gig, how you approach people from Craigslist is important. We already covered being polite, knowing when to fax, email, or call, so what comes next? Here are some more helpful tips for you:
Craigslist Tip #1 - Don't Be Dumb or Fail at Being Funny
When applying for a job or a paid gig, you want to sound professional. When buying a for sale item, you are talking to another person (just like you), so you may throw caution to the wind. Don't be dumb or fail at being funny. If you want to buy the $100 Wii, send an email or place a phone call stating so. Don't waste your time telling the seller who that Wii will be for, what games you plan to buy a GameStop, and so forth; they don't care! Worst yet, any attempt to be funny usually leaves you looking dumb.
Craigslist Tip #2 - Avoid Internet Acronyms
Just because you know that LMN is sometimes used to say "let me know," not everyone else does. Whether you are applying for a gig or trying to score a free used couch; your email reader isn't going to spend 10 minutes deciphering your lingo; they are going to delete your email and move onto the next. Speak in plain English.
Craigslist Tip #3 - Give a Method of Contact
When you respond to someone's Craigslist post via email, they automatically know your email; all they do is just hit reply. When making contact via phone, it is harder. Hard to believe, but not everyone has caller id (yes some are still in the dark ages). So in your excitement you leave a message on a seller's answering machine telling them you to want to buy their used car, but forget to leave your phone number. Since they don't know how to contact you, you lose!
Craigslist Tip #4 - Don't Turn Into a Craigslist Crazie
Craigslist crazies come in all different formats. In terms of contact, you want to avoid becoming a Craigslist stalker. So, you sent an email to a job posting you saw on Craigslist or to someone selling a used car. Three days have gone by so you send another email. Four days have gone by so you send another email. By the fifth day if you haven't been contacted, you likely won't be. Not everyone sends a "you didn't get the job" or "I sold to someone else" reply. After a week or so, it is time for you to get the point.
