During my training classes I always encourage leasing professionals to use Craigslist postings. Where else can you get your message in front of hundreds of people looking to rent YOUR apartment, schedule your message to run when you want it to (and when you are available to promptly respond to inquiries) and best yet–it is FREE!
Invariably I get negative comments: “Isn’t that where the ‘Craigslist Killer’ found his victims?”
“Craigslist is just a hook-up site.”
“We tried it; all we got was spam and scams!”
Meanwhile, those who are making a different kind of killing on Craigslist cross their arms, lean back and smile smugly. They don’t want the rest of the marketplace to know the secret to their success!
Throughout history those who have quickly adapted to new technologies have survived and thrived. I’m sure there were some folks gathered around the communal campfire complaining that the wheel would never last.
Craigslist (and social marketing) is here, it’s here to stay and it is revolutionizing the way we do business. Craigslist is the new marketplace. If you want to sell your old washing machine, you list on Craigslist. If you want to share and discuss your latest haiku, you do it on Craigslist. If you need an apartment, you look for it on Craigslist.
If Craigslist isn’t one of your top three sources of traffic, you are doing something wrong. (Oh, and did I mention that it is FREE?!)
I worked with a site manager of a Class C property on the edge of a downtown area. She had several vacancies, her prices were considerably higher than her comparables (the property has off-street parking and an outdoor pool) and she could not generate traffic. We discussed her bias against Craigslist (I should add that she is an early baby boomer) and debated her fears. We asked her to just give it a try. Within one week she was a convert! All of her availabilities were full within two weeks and now Craigslist is her main source of traffic. (Did I mention her total cost of marketing on Craigslist? FREE.)
What do you have to lose…except for some vacancies?
Related posts:
- TOP 10 TIPS to Get the MOST Out of CRAIGSLIST Apartment Ads
- Got VACANCY? Apartment Models – Is it a DO or DON’t or CAN’t Afford It?
- Technology Tidbits: Monitoring Multiple Apartment Craigslist Ads With Google Gadgets
- Have Money – Need Apartment. PS Don’t Irritate, Annoy or Otherwise *iss Me Off!
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Great post but…..SSSHHHHHHH. Don’t tell everyone!
Craigs List is a huge source of traffic to our websites and leads to our leasing offices. We post every day and it pays off.
Cheers!
Craigslist isn’t truely free. It takes a lot of time and expertise to create the postings and submit them. Then you also have to be very careful with any price changes being reflected on all postings. If you’re already familiar with it, it goes by quickly, but still takes a lot of time. (added by Mobile using Mippin)
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am trying to post my apartment in new york for rentals, but craiglist is asking me to pay, SO TEL ME WHATS FREE ABOUT THAT !!!!
Alfred–Craigslist is starting to charge in some markets; however, I had not heard that they were charging in New York now. (So you are right–it is not always free.) There is great debate as to whether or not they will be charging across the US once they really dominate the market. If the fee is reasonable, it might still be worth paying for it. The goal is to get your message into as many potential renters as possible. As to alternatives, the internet is always growing and changing, are there any other bulletin board web sites in your area? For example, my urban neighborhood has a Facebook page where I can post for free.