Posting listings/ads for RE clients on Craigslist

[WebSavvyGal]

Hi there,
I've been implementing CL real estate listing campaigns for a few of my real estate clients. Some involve loading the listing via postlets.com but I'm also using the linked image ad variation proposed by SuccessWebsites, Retechulous and more.

As a remotely working VA (HI) I appear to constantly run into security features CL has set up to block spammers and scammers, making it hard to load my clients ads on a regular, consistent basis, or keeping them from being flagged.

If I set up a 'dummy' account for each client that I had complete control over, is this better? Rather than using my client's account? Would I still run into issues?

CL sees that my IP is remote to the cities I'm posting in. Is there anyway around this?

I recall that in CL rules no 3rd party agent is supposed to post for another party so perhaps this is why.

At any rate, if I could hear from any other VA's that are successfully implementing programs like Retechulous, or Jim Casey's let me know.

Thanks!
Dorothy

[Your Virtual Wizard]

Dorothy,

I used to post ads for real estate agents and I only posted from one account in one area. I was able to manage the posts using one account that way.

I googled this article that might be of interest, How to Post on Craigslist. http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Post-On-Craigslist . It states, "How Many Ads Can I Post On Craigslist?"

This is a topic for debate, but unless you are using auto posting software and are changing your IP address regularly (perhaps every 3-5 ads) you should only post 3 ads every 48 hrs from one Craigslist account.

If you post 3 ads on the same day from the same Craigslist account, your last 2 ads will get ghosted."

Janine

[WebSavvyGal]

Thanks Janine!

Great to finally hear from someone that is familiar with what I'm talking about. I will read the article you posted but it looks like I need to get more creative with 'dummy' accounts.

Interesting to hear the limit on ad postings per acount on one day. I believe this is where I've been running into trouble.

Again, thanks!
Dorothy

[Your Virtual Wizard]

Dorothy,

I'm not sure if CL limits the accounts you can open and if the TOS permit 'dummy' accounts. My feeling is that they do not but check the rules before you decide to go this route.

Janine

[WebSavvyGal]

Hi Janine,

I found this informative Hubpages article about the real skinny on doing this type of CL advertising some of my clients are hot to do. (many recurring, daily updated, image linked ads)

Hah, it clarifies why I will NOT be offering this type of CL service any longer other than creating the image ads and code, or doing basic listing loading.

http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Post-On-Craigslist

(you need access to 10 phone numbers, create 10 gmail accounts, etc. to 'get around' CL's spam blocking if doing multiple ads)

Anyways, it's good to be clear re. my services!

Aloha!
Dorothy

[Your Virtual Wizard]

Dorothy,

When I used to do CL ads for real estate agents I used a site called Sawitonline.com which allowed me to create a variety of ads that were accepted by CL. But this is two years ago so I am not sure if anything has changed.

Janine

[WebSavvyGal]

Duh...same Hubpages article you posted earlier in our thread. Sorry, didn't actually look at it...too much info and not enough time at that point. sigh...

Yea, sawitonline.com just creates the code for posting, albeit, really nice looking! But I'll check out their offering.

I guess the only way around this is cloaking my IP.

I've basically determined that managing these sorts of campaigns isn't profitable enough and a pain in the arse.

Thanks!

[Your Virtual Wizard]

I agree with you, Dorothy. I don't do this type of work anymore.

Janine