[chipster]

Has anyone had any success placing ads for their services on their local Craig’s List?

 

[Rich]

yes
most people have success, how much success is the issue

 

[dincao]

Happy new year to all,

Most cases of people applying to ads or posting ads are looking for the cheapest possible price... Once in a while you can get a couple good jobs but it doesnt happen often... If you are really slow it will get you some leads but often doesnt pan out!!!! I say that 1 OUT OF 20 CALLS GETS U A JOB, WHICH MEANS YOULL BE GOING OUT PRICING JOBS WHICH MEANS TIME WASTED, GAS MONEY SPENT AND DEALING W/ A LOT OF CHEAP NO IT ALLS!!!!!! NOT TO MENTION WHO WANT YOU TO GAVE THEM A PRICE OVER THE PHONE WHICH IS NOT HAPPENENING WITH ME!!!!

 

[slickshift]

I have had some success
But not what I'd call great success
I no longer run them

For the most part, the people cruising CL are looking for soul-crushingly stupid-price deals

Thankfully, many you can tell right off the bat, as they'll spell it out for you
"Looking for someone to paint my 6000 sq. ft. cottage on the bay, I'm short cash so need it done cheap.... so can pay you by letting you stay there a week...while you paint it...if neither I nor my extended family or friends want to stay there that week"

or

"Great Money!!!...Will pay $12 hour"

Some you won't realize they are looking to poon you 'till way into it

I suppose I had some success with it because there's an enormous amount of potential customers in my area that don't live here (I'm in a coastal beachy summer tourist area...totally)
They live inland, in the city, and some use the web as a resource to find services for their cottage/summer/retirement home while they are at work or home at night
So along with the ridiculous cheapos, there was some real people with no other good way (that they knew) to find what they were looking for
Those were few and far between, but I can't say I didn't have any success with it

However, I don't do them anymore...there weren't that many great leads for me
Maybe a more "economy" type company would have greater success with that type of advertising (paint any room for. $XXX.., or beat any price....type deal)

 

[JTP]

I have had several legitimate leads from CL and landed one for $6000.00. Had some help though b/c, as it turned out, the h/o knew my wife and trusted her--Translation if we trust her, I guess He (meaning me) must be an honest, hard working painter. But the ad I place on c/l did get me in the door.

JTP

 

[ibsocal]

I only advertise on craigslist and it has kept me busy i think because 90 percent of my work is as a specialty coating applicator so not much competion in my trade.i do bathtubs/sinks rain or shine so work environment/climate is no problem since all work is done indoors.usually 7 out of 10 calls will schedule refinishing jobs avg 250.00 for 2-4 hours of work but also do 6-900.00 multi refinish jobs.craigslist is extra money as i have my regulars like real estate/property management cos so it comes in handy when my regs are slow,i mostly place ads every other or few days apart and cost to place ads are zip :thumbsup: . i also offer from time to time interior and exterior painting services but there are to damn many unlicensed painters and low ballers to make a decent living advertising on craigslist.

 

[RCP]

I think there is a lot of difference between areas. I live in a less populated area, the CL ads are fewer and seem more legit.
I was checking out Las Vegas CL, lots of odd/scam/desperate posts.
http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/trd/519855370.html
http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/trd/518637439.html

 

[Alex PCI]

I am actually afraid to post my business name on that site. I have tried a few adds on there but I did not put my company name in the add, I got a few price checks but that's it. The craigslist adds in my area are so ridiculous I spend a lot of time reading and laughing at them. There are so many arguments, ********, unlicensed people on their that I would rather not have my good name seen with them.

I do know a flooring contractor that gets tons of work from that site. Its all about the wording he uses, he makes the customer think he is the lowest price

 

[T200]

I've had some mixed success with craigslist.
I've landed a few jobs and have gotten some calls from what I think were competitors--checking things out.

In my area, the people who are computer-literate are often professionals who use the web to find things they're looking for, so many of my contacts from craigslist have been good prospective customers.

Some of the work is small jobs, and there aren't a lot of hits.
But the price is right.

I've noticed that when the ad gets "old" (a month or so), the hits decrease.
So I delete the ad and repost it again about every month.

 

[chipster]

All right ibsocal, a fellow tub refinisher. I just placed this in craigslist - http://easternshore.craigslist.org/hss/522923837.html

 

[ibsocal]

******** That is a very good ad,my lame ad gets me plenty of work but would like a pro ad like yours i'm sure the phone will not be resting and sales will no doubt be up once i update my sorry azz ad.how do you post pictures,i have not figured it out yet.

 

[Alex PCI]

What type of product and equipment are you guys using when doing the tub refinishing? I have been wanting to add that service for a while now but ive been so busy I haven't had the time to experiment.

 

[chipster]

HVLP sprayer is used to apply products. Type in "bathtub refinishing products" in google search and you will find endless info and some suppliers. I have been using a company called Topkote out of New Jersey for 7 years, never had a call back with their system. There are a few other good ones out there.

 

[Joewho]

http://lasvegas.craigslist.org/trd/522505974.html

That's the type of stuff you find on craigslist.

When things are slow to desperate I do advertise there. Don't answer any ads, place your own.

Since I work alone, it only takes one decent job. There is a legitimate craigslist community out there. You just have to filter through the junk to find them. Of course, my experience only applies to Las Vegas.

 

[IP1972]

Craigslist

Has anyone had any success placing ads for their services on their local Craig’s List?

I haven't had any luck and I think it has to do with location. Right now in Pensacola Florida, I've been out of work for 4 months. As it is, I'm always harassed about " are you single, do you date, etc." just bothersome! I deal with it, move on and maybe that has to do with why I don't get the job. I have no clue..... I do good work, drug free, have own transportation and tools. The painter I was studying under is ILL and no longer working. I miss making a paycheck!

 

[chipster]

I placed some ads a week ago and now I get it, craigslist blows!

I have done the local give away publications and door knockers in the past. All they yielded were enough jobs to pay the adverising. I can think of more fun hobbies. Getting into the rip off advertising business must be where the real money is.

My friend says the sign business is good because there are always people going in and out of business.

 

[Workaholic]

I once painted a guys house for 50 pizzas from a craigslist... LOL just kidding.

Most people on craigs list are tire kickers looking for the cheapest everything they can find.

 

[ccpainting]

i cleaned up after a painter who was hired from craigslist.a professional athlete here in town hired a painter from craigslist. the guy put the paint on real thick with ropes everywhere. I had to float out the walls and take a sander to fix them. I guess he found out the hard way why you hire a professional and pay professional wages.

 

[Joewho]

I placed some ads a week ago and now I get it, craigslist blows!

I have done the local give away publications and door knockers in the past. All they yielded were enough jobs to pay the adverising. I can think of more fun hobbies. Getting into the rip off advertising business must be where the real money is.

My friend says the sign business is good because there are always people going in and out of business.

It's slow for a lot of people right now. One of the top shops in vegas placed an ad on tv. Literally, showing live monkeys opening dresser drawers.
Telling people not to hire monkey, hire him. LOL. But it goes to show the level of advertising it really takes, to be really sucessful.

The company is Vegas painters. Great web site and it looks like a really good business.

 

[IP1972]

i cleaned up after a painter who was hired from craigslist.a professional athlete here in town hired a painter from craigslist. the guy put the paint on real thick with ropes everywhere. I had to float out the walls and take a sander to fix them. I guess he found out the hard way why you hire a professional and pay professional wages.

hehehehehehe