How to Take Photos and Write Listings That Sell

Caleb Foster

Dec 3, 2025

2 min read

Updated: 3 hours ago

Which would you click on: a dresser staged in a bright room with some artwork on the wall, or a dresser in a dark garage next to a puddle of dirty water?

It’s common sense, but most people don’t take the time to do it right. That’s good news for you, because a good listing is one of the easiest ways to sell faster and for more.

Clean it first

Wipe it down, vacuum it, get the cobwebs off. Appliances especially. A cheap appliance that’s been cleaned looks like a totally different item. This is the cheapest value you’ll ever add.

Stage it like it’s being used

Put it where it would normally live. A couch in a living room, a patio set on a patio, a nightstand next to a bed with a lamp on it. Buyers want to picture it in their house. If you don’t have the space, a clean wall and good light still beats a cluttered garage.

Use all the photos

Facebook Marketplace lets you use up to 10 photos and a video on regular items (vehicles get up to 20 photos). Use them all.

Get the whole item in frame for most shots
Capture every angle
Add close-ups of anything special (brand tag, hardware, the cushion zipper, the motor)
Show flaws honestly. It saves you from buyers who show up and walk away.
Shoot in daylight or a bright room. No flash in a dark garage.

Be specific in the title

Views sell items, and specific titles get more views. Don’t title it “dresser” when you can title it “Vintage Oak 5-Drawer Dresser.”

Here’s the trick: when you’re searching, be vague so you see everything. When you’re listing, be specific so every type of buyer finds you.

Cover everything in the description

Answer the questions before they get asked:

Measurements
Material and brand
How long you’ve had it and how it was used
Any issues or flaws
Pickup details (and delivery, if you offer it)

Add tags with any related terms people might search. A “sectional” might also be searched as “couch,” “sofa,” or “L-shaped couch.”

Keep buyers moving

Respond fast and always leave the ball in their court. When someone sends “Hello, is this still available?”, don’t just say “Yes.” Say “Yes, do you have any questions about it?” It keeps the conversation going and gets you to a pickup time faster.

Offer delivery on big stuff

If you have a truck, put “delivery available” right in the description. A ton of buyers want big items and can’t move them. See How to Make Extra Money With a Truck.

If it still isn’t selling

If your listing looks great and nobody’s serious after a week or two, it’s the price. Follow How to Price Your Flips So They Actually Sell.