My obsession with selling my old junk online started with a bit of spring cleaning.

My laziness always wins out, so I decided I would list them onNextdoorandFacebook Marketplaceon a lark.

If they didnt sell, well, I hadnt lost anything but time.

A young woman sits on a pile of coins and dollar bills as she works on her laptop to represent selling items online.

Elizabeth Djinis recommends a bare bones approach when naming items to sell on social media. Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Djinis

My concern was unfounded.

The experience proved to be a gateway to my affinity for selling old items on Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor.

In six months of selling, I made almost $600.

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8 Tips for Selling Used Goods Online

What did I do right?

And what lessons did I learn along the way?

Name Your Item Simply

Do not make your listing title overly detailed.

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It is better to be bare bones and minimal: think bed or table for furniture items.

Many people who bought my items scoured Nextdoor and Facebook Marketplace every day for specific objects.

I suspect some might have had an alert set up on their phone for certain products.

If youre selling furniture or any object, post multiple photos and be upfront about damage.

Always and I cant stress this enough post the dimensions in your listing.

Its much better to answer buyers questions upfront.

No Interest Til Almost 2027?

Think of this as what you would want to know if you were buying your item.

Dont Set Prices Too High

I learned this lesson the hard way.

If you price your item too high, you will get largely ignored by buyers.

And much like selling a house, the first few days on these apps are pivotal.

Its much better to price your item low and get noticed by many.

This can drive a bidding war and may even get you the higher price you wanted in the beginning.

Be Responsive

Unfortunately, this is a job.

If you wait one or two days to respond, they may no longer be interested.

Youll also often have to answer some follow-up questions.

This takes time because youll have to schedule an appointment with them.

But its often worth it.

Know Your Audience

Each app has a different audience.

Ive had the best luck on Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor.

Know the Value of Your Item

Part of this comes with experience on the apps.

Objects that are more taste-based, like art and furniture, are harder to gauge.

Its about getting the right buyer.

For those, I would suggest taking appealing photos and lowering the price.

After a Week, Give It Up

Ive been lucky on Nextdoor and Facebook Marketplace.

Sometimes, you have to accept your losses and call the trash collector.

City or county sanitation services will often dispose of bigger items if you need something gone in a flash.

Usually, by days end, it will have disappeared.

Elizabeth Djinis is a contributor to The Penny Hoarder.

(Can you sense my millennial sarcasm there?)

You know which ones were talking about: rent, utilities, cell phone bill, insurance, groceries…