We’ve all listed items on Listia either currently or in the past, and we’re always pleasantly surprised when an item goes for more credits than we think it will go for. Is there a secret formula to getting more credits on your listing? We’re dedicating this blog post to sharing tips on “how to earn more credits on your listings”. Here are the three basic concepts you should always keep in mind:

List: To ensure you get the most out of your listing, the first step is simple and straight forward, but also very important: Creating a great listing. When listing your item, you’ll want to make sure you have a clear and direct title, detailed description, and clear photos.

• A clear and direct title will help potential bidders find you through search or browse. Although it may look appealing, consider avoiding the use of symbols in your title (!@#$%^&*()=+[]{}). It’s hard to search when there are a lot of symbols in your title. (ex: “NEW” vs. “**^NeW!**”)
• The description is the meat of your listing. What is the condition of the item? What’s the dimension or size? What kind of shipping do you provide? Providing as much detail as possible will help potential bidders understand what you’re listing so they can better decide if they want it.  A good rule of thumb is to put as much information as you’d like to see if you were bidding on your own item, but at the same time keep it brief and concise.
• A picture is worth a thousand words and the same thing applies to your listings. A good picture can show off your item and attract more bidders. If you upload a blurry or out of focus picture, it won’t convey the item properly and may distract bidders. Experiment with your camera’s features (e.g. flash on/off, macro functions), make sure you’re not taking the photo in a dark or dim area, make sure your item is ready, and place your item  to see what provides the best results for you. 

Share: Exposing your listings will generate interest among other Listians and attract more bids! Connect your account to your Facebook and/or Twitter! It will expose your auctions to people outside of Listia and bring in a new group of bidders you may not have otherwise encountered.  You can also use the Bold and Premium listing features for even greater exposure.

Be Active:  We reward users regularly for being active members of the community! You will randomly receive bonus credits when you least expect it for doing activities such as listing, bidding, commenting, leaving feedback, and checking in.  However, you don't receive credits every time, and there is a limit on how many you can get in one day.  The more you do an activity though, the more chances you have of gaining those bonus credits.  Remember, we do check for abuse of these features, so leaving comments randomly everywhere isn’t going to work.

Listing cool stuff, along with these helpful tips, is the fastest way to earn more credits. What other helpful tips or tactics have you used? What categories do you think are most popular? Leave a comment and share your ideas with others!

photo credit via Dave Dugdale