Using Classified Websites Like Craigslist to Generate Sales Leads - 3 Search Tips

Classified websites are a simple, easy, and for the most part free way to generate sales leads. What you want to do is find individuals online who are within your targeted market. These are individuals who express a want or need for a product or service you have available for sale. Use classified websites like Craigslist to find sales leads and then contact them by phone or email to make your sales pitch; hopefully that sales lead will convert into an actual sale.

Here are some helpful search tips on how you can use Craigslist and other classified websites to generate sales leads.

Search Tip #1 - Search With What You Have for Sale

Remember, you can do a Craigslist search or a search on another classified website to find individuals who want or need what you have for sale. The best way to do this is to search for exactly what it is. So say you are a freelance writer, ideal search phrases include "writer" or "freelance writer." So say you run an online video game store, ideal search phrases include "video games" or "wanted video games."

Search Tip #2 - Think Outside of the Box

While it is recommend that you do a Craigslist search or a search on another classified website with exactly what you have to sell, think outside of the box too. Say someone is advertising on Craigslist.org that they need an experienced computer repair person? Why not shoot them off an email with a link to your eBay auction where you have a cheap Dell laptop listed? Or, say that you run a local snowplowing business. You see a wanted ad on Craigslist or a snow blower. Why not contact the seller offering your affordable services for long-term or at least until they are able to purchase that wanted snow blower?

Search Tip #3 - Don't Be Afraid to Gamble a Bit

If you cold call or cold email people, you are taking a bit of a risk. The last thing you want to do is tick off potential paying customers. However, if you properly use online classified websites, you aren't outright spamming consumers. You did the research and found individuals who expressed any type of interest in the product or service you have for sale. This is called generating sales leads. Yes, it is always risky to contact sales leads, but it might be a gamble that pays off and then some.