How to build your algorithm, Second Hand Fathers Day Gifts, and news on Syria's Marketplace
#002 Hi, is this still available
Hi, is this still available? Honestly, what’s the beef with Nickelback? They are a good band! This week we talk about how to build your algo, what to get Dad on Father’s Day, FB Marketplace in Syria, and more.
If you are new, this is ‘‘Hi, is this available?’’ the unofficial weekly newsletter about the fastest growing marketplace in the world: Facebook Marketplace.
The perfect algorithmic feed. Sighhh, one can only dream, right? Well did you know that it’s possible to get a feed that has all your ‘‘mid-century’’, gothic, and Corvette obsessions? As well as items that only you collect 👀.
All you have to do is build it. And organically, that will happen. But for fast results, try these proven practices below. You’ll find what you need in no time.
Every single day search keywords into Facebook Marketplace. Spend 2-5 minutes doing this, even if you have seen the items already. This allows Facebook to understand your urgency around keywords, and soon Facebook will display sections that are well-suited for those items. Sections like ‘‘Antique Furniture’’ or ‘‘Japanese Cars’’.
On the flip side, use vague search terms but search in geo-targeted places that you assume would have what you're looking for. Like an artisan flowerpot in a Hipster neighborhood. This will allow the algorithm to not only send you suggestions based on the vagueness, but also specifically look in those geo-targeted areas. If you need help, use ChatGPT as a starting point to match different cultures with different areas.
Save favorite listings. This tells Facebook you really like these items and acts as a Superlike for your feed. If you are over it (like I’m over Instant Pots), just unsave it, and it should remove itself from your algo. Pro Tip: Use geo targeting here and search for items where they might be popular. It seems counterintuitive, but Facebook will pick up on the description of the item and will look for that item in your local area as well.
Click, don’t scroll. This happens naturally, so I wouldn’t be too worried about it, but its a neat tidbit that also has the ‘‘super like’’ qualities of saving a listing. Clicking tells the algorithm, ‘‘Hey I like this, I want to view it’’. This works even better if the listing is well filled with details about the product.
If you are a serious flipper, searcher, or curator, then consider making a second FB account. It may hurt your buyer/seller credit, but it could provide you with specific results. This is especially the case if you use Facebook Marketplace to browse and target specific goods.
Create reminders on certain keywords: Notifications can be annoying, but this is a viable option to keep in the know about certain items.
And there you have it. Six practices that you can do for five minutes a day that will help you build an algorithm that finds products for you.
June 15th is Father’s Day (Trending on Pinterest and Google):
Father’s Day gift ideas are always sought out. It’s difficult to shop for Pop! Funny enough, I think second-hand goods are better for fathers than mothers. It makes more sense. They usually like older, more sturdy items.
Here are some gift ideas you can no doubt find locally on Facebook Marketplace:
Now, if you are a seller, this might be a good time to focus on Father’s Day keywords. Got something that hasn’t sold in a while? Attach a Father's Day keyword to the listing and see if you get traffic.
Here is another gifting idea: second-hand stuff can always be used as a secondary gift. Get your Dad that new lawn mower, and put a $5 record on it to sweeten the deal.
Wedding season (Trending on Pinterest):
Finally, you can get rid of those wedding arches you’ve been keeping in your garage for two years! Seriously, it's time to get rid of your old wedding stuff and do it for a profit. As industry prices go up and people penny pinch, second-hand wedding goods are becoming more accepted. And as we roll into wedding season, demand is high; therefore, price is as well.
Portable Air Conditioners (Don’t sell yet!):
If you have the time, this is the time to find air conditioners that are just being listed as they are being replaced. Air conditioners make me laugh; nobody buys them until they need them, and then they end up buying them for a premium.
Looking at the chart above, we can see that this air conditioner on Amazon is considerably lower in the new and Amazon categories. Compared with other units, we can see the same trends: portable air conditioners are significantly lower leading up to summer and rise in the summer months. Advice here is to: Buy a new or used unit and sell your old one for as much money as possible in the middle of summer.
To my friends in LA: Stay safe out there, whether you are out protesting or indoors. If you are planning on buying on Facebook Marketplace this weekend, then make sure you understand that you may be buying looted goods. Do your due diligence in checking sources.
I wonder if the junk truck dudes came over and said there is no way we can take this broken-down (to say it lightly) pool. The owner must have thought that the next best thing was to get $1500 for it. Which is cheap for a pool. Hmmm, I might be in the market.
Have a fun listing? Submit your listing to hitsa.newsletter@gmail.com
Guy spends $120 on a Coffee Table that ends up being worth $8k. A great story that reminds us that if you’re looking, you can find something truly great. In the end, he isn’t selling the flower-shaped coffee table. I don’t blame him; it exceeds $8k in cool points.
A contractor stole 60k worth of equipment and tried to sell it on Facebook Marketplace. I wanted to highlight this story because it shows the viability of FB marketplace for selling goods quickly. Haha, that was fun to type. Please don’t do what he did.
Facebook Marketplace Ad Leads To Suspect in Robbery: Ever been robbed? I hope not. You can always search for things on Facebook Marketplace to see where your item is.
Looted Antiquities from Syria sold on Facebook Marketplace ‘‘Thieves are reportedly robbing graves that are more than 2,000 years old in Palmyra, among other cities, and listing the funerary gold and artifacts they take on Facebook.’’ and ‘‘ATHAR, which follows trafficked Middle Eastern antiquities in the black market online, noted that nearly one third of its total 1,500 Syrian cases took place in December. The project includes a database of more than 26,000 screenshots, videos, and images of looted antiquities since 2012.’’ Uh wow. Btw, Ancient Artifacts are not allowed to be sold on Facebook Marketplace, so be wary if you see one.
New Facebook Scam in Iowa: This scam comes once again from Iowa. Why is Iowa scamming people on Facebook Marketplace so heavily? Anyways, this scam tricks people into thinking there was a payment error and to hand over their email addresses and other personal details.
Always try and meet in person to exchange money.
Always vet your seller and/or buyer. Look at their profile, look at their posts.
Make sure to pay close attention to links. If a buyer is asking to send you money before, make sure to keep your eye out for what they are sending you. It could be phishing links.
Would you buy your Dad a Father’s Day gift on Facebook Marketplace?