List your holiday property on Craigslist

Listing your holiday property on Craigslist is yet another way to gain exposure, reach a broader audience and increase enquiries all of which ultimately lead to more rentals. Now throw in the fact that it is free and that Craigslist generates over 9 BILLION page views per month and perhaps now you are asking yourself: “Why don’t I use Craigslist?”

What is Craigslist?
“Craigslist is a centralised network of online communities, featuring free classified advertisements (with jobs, internships, housing, personals, for sale/barter/wanted, services, community, gigs, resume, and pets categories) and forums on various topics.” – Wikipedia

How do I use Craigslist.org?

• Register with a valid email address: To post a free advertisement for your listing, you’ll have to register first. When you do, make sure you use a proper email address because that is where Craigslist will forward your enquiries.
• Choose the right region: The classifieds are divided by region so make sure you choose the country where your villa is, not where you live! Once on the region page choose the city nearest your villa, as your town or city may not be there.
• Use the right keywords in your title: Don’t go trying to be too clever and writing a fancy title, use a clear title which explains concisely what and where your villa is.
• Speak the lingo: Similar to newspaper classifieds, Craigslist advertisers tend to use a lot of abbreviations and acronyms so make sure you are up to speed to ensure you receive a good response.
• Include your domain name: You can include your domain name so that people can view more info on your website. This way you’ll also gain a link back from a highly trusted website. Remember that getting a link back to your website from a valued site like Craigslist will go a long way in benefiting the Optimization of your website. Check out My Optimization in your CMA to learn more about how SEO (Search Engine Optimization) can generate more rental enquiries.
• Keep it short and sweet: Here’s an example of a good advert that includes the right info: Vacation rentals – France, Loire Valley area. 16th century manor house, (6 bedrooms) and/or cottage, (1 bedroom). Exquisite antiques. Pool, terraces, landscaped gardens overlooking lake. Two hundred acres of secluded grounds. One hour from Paris by TGV, 2 hours by car. Please see www.lachauviniere.iowners.net
• Become part of the community: It’s not just about the advert for your listing! Get on the craigslist forums; chat, rant, rave and promote your website by leaving a link to your website as as part of your signature. Google et al, will love your website even more with links from Craigslist.
• Report your success story to craigslist: Get some free “PR” by telling Craigslist if you have a really good response to your ad.

More on Craigslist
Craig Newmark, the man behind the machine, is a bit of an enigma. He is still working in his apartment in San Francisco’s Sunset District. He runs this multi-million dollar business, but unlike most business entrepreneurs, he doesn’t care about the money, he just wants to help people and “give them a break”. He’s even now the 9th most fascinating entrepreneur in the world!

Facts about Craigslist.org
Craigslist was formed in 1995. Feeling a bit isolated after moving to San Francisco, Newmark wanted to create a site that helps people find local events. Now Craigslist.org lists things for people in approximately 450 cities in 50 countries. Craigslist.org gets over nine billion page views per month. It is thought to have brought in $150 million in 2007 in revenue.

“Craigslist has little interest in maximizing profit, instead preferring to help users find cars, apartments, jobs, and dates.” -Craigslist CEO Jim Buckmaster.

Craig and his list have conjured up plenty of colourful interviews and stories over the years. Here are some good links to find out more about this interesting man: Interview with wired or Interview with Scivemedia.org.