Selling on Facebook Marketplace is one of my favorite ways to make money from home. Now is the perfect time to turn your clutter into cash.
You can make some serious money selling stuff on Facebook Marketplace. In just one week, I made nearly $700 selling my old stuff!
If you’re interested in learning how to make money selling on Facebook Marketplace, then you’ve come to the right place.
Here you’ll find the best tips to help you make the most money and how I made $918 in one month selling on Facebook Marketplace.
Related Posts:
- 31 things you can sell to make money right now
- 35 ways to make money without a job
- How to make money flipping items for profit
Table of Contents
What is Facebook Marketplace?
Making money on Facebook Marketplace couldn’t be easier. It’s an online platform for users to buy and sell goods locally or shipped.
You simply use your Facebook account to sell items or search for stuff you want to buy. If you want to learn how to sell locally on Facebook Marketplace, this post is for you!
Is Facebook Marketplace a good place to sell?
Yes, definitely! What’s special about Facebook Marketplace versus other e-commerce sites such as Craigslist or eBay, is that it’s integrated within the world of Facebook.
This means prospective buyers can reach out to the seller via Messenger or join a Facebook buy and sell group created for their local area or a specific niche.
Because Facebook Marketplace is tied to your Facebook social media profile, it’s great for quick background checks which eliminates the uncertainty when buying and selling items.
Most people check Facebook throughout the day, which can lead to more perspective buyers viewing your listings.
For those who are new to selling items online, Facebook Marketplace is one the easiest and best platforms to make money.
Want to make quick cash now?
Read Next: 23 hobbies that make money
Top selling items on Facebook Marketplace
Here are some examples of items that tend to sell well on Facebook Marketplace:
Furniture
You’ll make the most money from selling new or refurbished furniture. You can also sell old or worn furniture on Facebook Marketplace for a fair price.
I made $230 by selling a bookcase. Selling furniture on Facebook Marketplace can be a great way to make extra money and it’s one of the most profitable products to sell on Facebook.
Make Money Flipping Furniture – FREE Workshop
What furniture sells best on Facebook Marketplace? Smaller furniture pieces sell fast when they are priced right.
This includes chairs, stools, end tables, night stands, shelves, desks, and bookcases. Smaller furniture pieces are easy to transport and can fit inside most cars.
I’ve also had luck selling a dining table on Facebook Marketplace with four chairs. Below are some more tips on how to flip items for profit on Facebook Marketplace:
Read Next: Fleamarket flipping – Make money flipping items for cash
Sports & Fitness equipment
When gyms were closed, it was difficult to find certain items in retail stores. Many people turned to Facebook Marketplace to buy sports and fitness equipment.
If you have some stuff lying around at home that you no longer want or use, you could make money by selling it on Facebook Marketplace.
I made $225 by selling golf clubs on Facebook Marketplace.
Books
These aren’t high-ticket items, but if you have a lot of books that you want to sell, you could make some good money.
I made $223 by selling some of my old books in just one week on Facebook Marketplace.
Another good place to resell books is on Bookscouter.
Simply head to their website, search for the book you want to sell using the ISBN, compare prices to decide where you want to sell your book, then ship your book free and get paid via PayPal or a mailed check.
Read Next: 14 best places to sell used books for cash
Kid’s Toys
Many parents are looking to buy toys on Facebook Marketplace. Think character toys, doll houses, bicycles, and so on.
Clothing and Shoes
You’ll make the most money from selling unworn clothes with the tag still attached. Other items that sell well include baby clothing, kid’s clothing, maternity clothes, shoes, and bags & luggage.
I made $130 by selling gently used Doc Marten boots on Facebook Marketplace.
How to flip shoes for profit – FREE Workshop
Electronics
Video games, game consoles, computers, headphones, and watches can sell well on Facebook Marketplace.
Garden & Outdoor
You can sell garden décor, garden supplies, patio furniture, plants, and lawn mowers on Facebook Marketplace.
Office Supplies
Many people are working from home now and are looking to buy desks, computer chairs, and other office items. I sold my old IKEA desk for $90 on Facebook Marketplace.
Read Next: How to make a full-time income flipping furniture for profit
Pet Supplies
People are looking to buy items for their pet on Facebook Marketplace such as clothing, pet carriers or crates, pet strollers, and pet cages.
Read Next: How to make $2,500 per month selling dog treats
Storage & Organization
Many people are looking to buy closet organizers, storage bins, shoe racks, storage drawers, clothing racks, and so on.
Do you want to make extra money flipping but don’t know where to start?
How to create a listing on Facebook Marketplace
When you sell on Facebook Marketplace, this means you’ll be creating a public listing that can be seen by anyone on and off Facebook.
You can also choose to post your listing to any Buy & Sell Groups you’re a member of – this can help more people see your listing and sell stuff quickly.
Step 1: Head to Facebook Marketplace
From your Facebook News Feed, click Marketplace.
Step 2: Create your listing
Click + Create New Listing, then click Item for Sale.
Step 3: Add photos to your listing
Click Add Photos to upload a photo of your item.
You’ll want to take clear and bright photos of the item. I like using this ring light to help my photos look better.
Sometimes overhead lights or lamps in homes can cast shadows or not represent the item’s true color.
By using a ring light, you can take better photos of the item, which can lead to quicker sales!
Step 4: Add a description of your item
Enter information about your item. This includes the:
- Title of your item
- Price – Do some research before to make sure that you are offering a competitive price.
- Category
- Condition of your item – Make sure to be honest in your listing.
- Description of your item
To figure out how much to price the item, do some research on Facebook Marketplace to see what other sellers are asking for the item.
If you are listing multiple items in a single post, set the post price to $1 (or the lowest priced item in that post).
Then in the description, you can provide more details on how much each item is selling for. This can help you attract more buyers.
Step 5: Publish your listing
Click Next and then click Publish to post your listing on Facebook Marketplace.
By default, your listing will be posted on Facebook Marketplace. If you want to increase the exposure of your item, you can choose to list in local Buy & Sell Groups on Facebook.
What cannot be sold on Facebook Marketplace?
While Facebook can be a great platform to sell items, there are some things that can’t be sold on Facebook. This includes:
- Items that aren’t real – Anything that isn’t a physical product for sale.
- Services – Selling services, such as house cleaning isn’t allowed.
- Animal for sale – Selling animals isn’t allowed on Facebook.
- Healthcare – Healthcare-related items are not allowed, such as thermometers, first aid kits, and so on.
- Description and photos don’t match – The photos of the item must match the description and title of the listing.
- Before and after photos – Items for sale on Facebook cannot show before and after photos, such as weight loss.
Tips for selling on Facebook Marketplace
When selling items on Facebook Marketplace, think of this like a business owner would. This will make it easier for you to sell items and make the most money.
Use quality photos
No one wants to buy something that has dark and blurry photos – or no photos at all! You don’t need a fancy camera to take nice photos of the item you want to sell.
I use my smartphone and this Ring Light to take all my photos.
A ring light is inexpensive and it can be a great investment to help you take clear and well-lit photos. Good photos helps you sell items on Facebook faster.
You’ll also want to post photos that clearly shows the item and its condition. For example, there was a small scratch on the side of my IKEA desk, which I shared in my listing to let potential buyers know.
Buyers also prefer to see photos of the actual item and not a photo from a company’s website.
You can add up to 10 photos in your listing, so the more photos you share, the more comfortable someone will feel messaging you to buy the product.
If you are selling shoes, used clothing, or furniture, make sure to clean the items before taking photos. No one wants to buy dirty looking shoes or dust-covered furniture.
Be honest and descriptive
If there is a scratch or mark on the item, let potential buyers know. People will trust you more when you are honest about the item’s condition. It won’t scare them off.
When writing your description, make sure to include relevant keywords someone might use to find your product.
For example, instead of just saying “books”, be more descriptive and try this, “Penguin classic books for sale”. This can help you attract the right buyer.
Set the right price
When researching prices of similar products on Facebook Marketplace, pay attention to what others are charging and how long that item has been listed for online.
You’ll also want to consider the original purchase price and condition of the item.
You can indicate in your listing if the price is firm or write “OBO” which stands for “or your best offer”. Don’t be surprised if potential buyers want to negotiate your price.
If you priced an item too low, you could get too many people messaging you. If you price an item too high, you may not attract any interest in your item. It’s important to find that happy balance when pricing your item.
PRO TIP: Since many potential buyers will negotiate the price, you can price up slightly. For example, if you want to get $20 for an item, you can list the item for $25. If someone offers you $15, you can counter at $20 and get the price you really wanted.
Be specific about pickup
Do you want the buyer to pickup the item from your home, or are you willing to meet them?
I prefer to meet people in public than to give out my home address. You can say in your listing “must pickup” or “meet near [insert neighborhood or intersection close to you]”.
If a buyer is seriously interested in an item, but can’t do pickup, I sometimes offer to drop it off for a slightly higher price. This can compensate for your time and transportation.
Agree on the price and the pickup location
I find that many people like to pay via e-transfer instead of using cash. Sometimes people would prepay for an item during the week, then I would set aside the item for them to pick it up on the weekend.
How I made $700 in one week on Facebook
I challenged my boyfriend and I to make $500 in one month selling items we didn’t need anymore on Facebook Marketplace.
Since we’ve been spending more time at home, we wanted to declutter and reorganize our small apartment to help maximize our space. This could be a great way for us to make money online.
I also wanted to transform our den into a walk-in pantry. Since we moved in a couple of years ago, the den has turned into a catch-all storage room, which made me feel overwhelmed every time I saw it.
If you have clutter in your home, I’m sure you can relate. That’s why I wanted to challenge ourselves to turn our clutter into cash!
At the beginning of the month, Sam sold his golf clubs on Facebook Marketplace for $225.
He bought his beginner golf clubs for around the same price a few years ago and they were still in excellent condition. It was great he was able to sell them for close to the same price he bought them.
After this first sale, we were thrilled and inspired to sell more items on Facebook Marketplace.
I spent some time decluttering our apartment and gathering items together that we wanted to sell. Then within one week, I was able to make nearly $700 selling stuff on Facebook Marketplace!
In one month, we were able to earn $918 selling items on Facebook Marketplace!
Here’s a quick breakdown of the items we sold:
- Golf clubs – $225
- Books – $223
- IKEA desk – $90
- Bookcase – $230
- Shoes – $130
- Office chair mat – $20
UPDATE: Since I’ve written this post, I’ve made over $6,000 selling old stuff on Facebook Marketplace, including my dining table set with chairs, my coffee table, and wedding dress.
Tips for selling books online
I have been collecting books since I was young. However, I’m trying to transition to more of a minimalist lifestyle and decided that I don’t need to own so many books, especially ones that I’m not planning to read again.
I made $223 from selling 71 books in one week on Facebook Marketplace.
This comes to around $3 per book. This might not sound like a lot, but it’s more than my local used bookstore would pay for books.
Here’s a few things to keep in mind when selling books on Facebook Marketplace:
Bundle books together
I found that selling multiple books (up to 10 books) in one listing helped to attract the most buyers.
I grouped books together by genre, author, publisher, or period (such as classic books).
Be clear about the condition of the book
If a book is in great condition, it can sell for more money. For books that were well read, I listed them for $1-$3 per book.
Use relevant keywords in your description
Make sure to write the title and author of the book in your description.
Use keywords that potential buyers will be searching for, such as “Lord of the Rings books” or “Kid’s books for sale”. This can help your listing get more views.
If you have multiple book listings, encourage potential buyers to check them out
I always let buyers know that I had other books for sale. Many buyers bought multiple listings, which was a great way to sell items quickly.
Selling on Facebook Marketplace FAQs
Below are some common questions about selling on Facebook Marketplace.
Can you make money selling on Facebook Marketplace?
Yes, it’s possible to make money selling on Facebook Marketplace. To sell, you must have a Facebook account and follow the rules. This is an easy way to declutter and get rid of items in your home that you don’t need anymore.
What are the best items to sell on Facebook Marketplace?
The best selling items on Facebook Marketplace to make money include furniture, sports and fitness equipment, books and textbooks, kid’s toys, clothing and shoes, electronics, garden and outdoor items, office supplies, pet supplies, and storage or organization items.
What sells quickly on Facebook Marketplace?
Items that sell the fastest on Facebook Marketplace are children’s clothes and toys, furniture, gently used electronics on good condition, items that are too bulky or low-value to ship, and fitness or home office items. To sell an item fast, make sure it’s in good condition, take quality photos and list it at a reasonable price.
How to sell things fast on Facebook Marketplace:
The best way to sell things fast on Facebook Marketplace is to set a reasonable price. As a general rule, you should list items at 50% (or less) than their regular retail price. If the item is in excellent condition, then you may want to consider listing it for a higher price.
I also recommend including as much information as you can in the description for your listing. This lets potential buyers know more about the product and what sets your listing apart from similiar products that are currently listed.
What is the best day to sell on Facebook Marketplace?
The best day to sell on Facebook Marketplace is the weekend. I noticed that when you list items by Thursday afternoon, I usually receive messages from people who want to pick up the items on the weekend.
Although sometimes it’s completely random. It really comes down to the demand of the product and what people are looking for right now.
How to sell on Facebook Marketplace without friends seeing?
Many people are hesitant to sell stuff on Facebook because they are worried about their friends seeing what they’re selling. While Marketplace items can be seen by anyone on or off Facebook, you can change your privacy settings when creating your listing.
If you want to sell stuff on Facebook Marketplace without friends seeing, simply select “Hide from friends” under the privacy settings. This will hide the listing from your Facebook friends but remain visible to other people on Facebook.
How are payments made on Facebook?
When buying and selling items on Facebook Marketplace, Facebook recommends using cash or person-to-person payment methods, such as PayPal or electronically using wire transfer.
How much does it cost to sell on Facebook?
It’s free to sell on Facebook Marketplace. There’s no fee to join Facebook or list items for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
What are the rules for selling on Facebook?
Certain items cannot be sold on Facebook Marketplace. This includes items that are not real (“in search of” posts), services like house cleaning, animals for sale, and health-care related items. Also you must make sure that the description of the item must match the photo. Before and after pictures are prohibited.
How does Facebook Marketplace work?
Facebook Marketplace is an online marketplace where you can buy and sell items. When you sell something on Facebook Marketplace, you’ll create a public listing that can be seen by anyone.
If someone is interested in purchasing the item that you’re selling, they will send you a private direct message on Facebook. Through Facebook Messenger, you can discuss the selling price and arrange a pick-up or delivery time.