Using Craigslist Barter To Get Services You Need
Hey there,
Here’s a little something that looks like it has some great promise.
I placed an ad on my local CraigsList last night in the barter section, offering my local search positioning and/or basic website building in exchange for local services.
I posted the ad late last night and have already gotten some interest this morning.
One gentleman may be pouring me a new concrete slab in my driveway and the other may be providing my landscaping and lawn care service.
These are things that you would normally have to pay out of pocket, why not barter and get them for a few hours of your time?
If the driveway deal goes through, I’ll be saving around $4,000 and the website he wants built will take me very little time to build and get ranked for him in my local market.
Give it a try, you never know what you’ll find out there. A lot of folks would love your services in exchange for what they do and these would be folks that would probably never seek this type of service from you in the first place.
It really makes no difference to me whether I make $4,000 on a job or am able to save $4,000 on something I need done anyhow. Money saved is money earned in my book.
Your results may vary, depending on your local market and how you word your ad, but I got these two replies within 12 hours here.
Let me know if you try this and get any results.
Scot
Yes, I have used this technique about 2-3 times in the last year. I have gotten a new garage door, a new HVAC unit, and a new paint job for my house. Savings = $10,000
Hi Scot,
I have never really thought of doing that and it sounds like a brilliant idea! I’d love to offer my writing services in exchange for someone tweaking and updating my website theme to something cool like the Thesis theme or something similar. I think it is a bit out of date and really just needing something new and fresh.
This has given me a great thought about posting it on CL and see what happens. Thanks Scot for sharing your knowledge!
Deb Lamb
Freelance Writer
Great idea. I have not thought of that. I hope to try it too.
This is the origin of all trading of course and can be a wonderful thing, even today… BUT… certainly in Australia, the Tax man want their share, (and rightly so we have to agree, Mr Swan)
It can get very sticky when there are Value Added Tax (VAT) or Goods & Services Tax (GST) with earnings threshholds and registration, as these need to be payed regularly to government.
On an odd occasion, it is probably not a major concern of those who collect revenue if someone mows your lawn for a few cans of beer, but on any large or ongoing basis it would be sage to take independent advice…ask your accountant, they are bound to raise a wry grin.
The barter system has been formalised by at least one organisation and details can be found at the link below… I have had limited dealings and found it to be very much more a city concept than something workable in a small regional town.
http://www.bartercard.com.au/
Cheers and thanks Scott, as ever love to read your musings.
Martyn
It’s really a nice idea. I will give it a try. Thanks.
I’ve tried this a few times and I never get any responses, let alone serious responses. Could someone post an example ad of what you say in it to get these exchanges? I don’t seem to have luck!
Thanks for the reminder on this, Scott.
Hi Meegan,
Here is my actual ad:
< =Begin Ad=>
Title: Trade Your Services For…
Would you like to trade your service for mine?
Do you do concrete repair, home remodeling, lawn care, car repair, carpet cleaning, etc?
If so, I’d like to trade you the following…
When you type your search terms into google for Oshkosh, does your website show up on the first page of Google results?
If not, you are leaving a ton of money on the table for your competitors to get at.
I can get you to the top of the results in your local area and I have proof.
Don’t worry, this is not one of those scammy deals that’s infiltrating CraigsList, I live here and have proof of concept.
I can even build you a website if you don’t already have one.
Send me an email if you are interested, you never know if what you offer may appeal to me.
No obligations either way.
Scot
< =End Ad=>
I have done exactly that with furnace repairs only this winter (December 2009). Thanks for confirming my move as a GOOD idea
And, I enjoy receiving your great tips by email Scot. Keep up the great work!
This is one of those light bulb moments for me, Scot. I think we are so accustomed to exchanging money for goods or services that we tend to overlook some of the most obvious things, sometimes.
Bartering is one of the oldest forms of currency exchange. And as online marketers, we have skills that many businesses see as valuable.
Thanks for sharing this idea. Maybe I can parlay a serp listing or site design into a nicely manicured lawn.
Hi Scott,
This idea definately works and although I have not advertised within my circle of friends and acquaintances I have set up basic websites for silver surfers in exchange for car servicing, turning over my veg plot ready for planting, extending my garage ang tickets to sporting events.
This will never make me pots of money but I am extremley happy for the return on my efforts.
In this economy, it could be the best solution for a number of services we all need. I could see writing and promoting articles in exchange for small items.
Great post.