Great photos get a buyer to stop scrolling. A great description gets them to buy. Yet most sellers rush the words, typing "nice top, good condition" and wondering why it doesn't sell. A clear, complete, searchable listing does a lot of quiet work: it answers questions, builds trust, and helps buyers find you in the first place. Here's how to write one.
Write a title that gets found
Your title is also your search keyword. Buyers look for specific things — a brand, a type, a colour — so pack the important words in. Compare:
- Weak: "Lovely jacket"
- Strong: "Levi's Denim Trucker Jacket — Blue, Size M"
The second version tells a buyer exactly what it is and matches what they typed into the search bar. Lead with the brand, then the item, then key attributes like colour and size.
Cover the essentials every buyer wants
A buyer can't touch or try on your item, so your description has to do it for them. Always include:
- Brand and, if you know it, the specific model or line.
- Size, ideally with measurements (chest, waist, length) since sizing varies between brands.
- Material and care notes from the label.
- Condition, described honestly and specifically.
- Colour, named clearly (colours can look different on different screens).
Listings that answer these upfront get fewer questions and faster sales.
Be honest about condition
Trust is the currency of second-hand selling. Describe wear plainly — "small mark near the left cuff, shown in photo four" — rather than hiding it. Far from putting buyers off, honesty reassures them that what they see is what they'll get. It also protects you from returns and disputes, and earns the trust that brings buyers back.
Add a little context and styling
A sentence or two of personality turns a spec sheet into something a buyer can imagine wearing. Mention how it fits ("roomy through the shoulders"), when it works ("great for layering in autumn"), or why you're parting with it ("bought for one event, too pretty to throw away"). Keep it short and genuine — you're helping them picture it, not writing an essay.
Use keywords buyers actually search
Think about the words a buyer would type and weave them in naturally: style names (oversized, cropped, high-waisted), occasions (office, festival, wedding guest), and materials (linen, wool, leather). These make your listing discoverable without sounding stuffed. Don't add irrelevant brand names hoping to catch traffic — it annoys buyers and erodes trust.
Structure it for skimming
Buyers skim before they read. Make the key facts easy to catch at a glance — a short opening line, then the essentials laid out cleanly. A wall of text hides the very details that drive a sale, while a tidy, scannable layout signals a careful seller.
End with a gentle nudge
Close with a light call to action: "Message me with any questions" or "Bundle with my other items to save on shipping." It invites engagement and can turn a single sale into several.
A quick listing checklist
Before you publish, confirm your listing has:
- A keyword-rich title (brand + item + size/colour).
- Size and measurements.
- Material and care details.
- An honest condition note.
- A touch of styling context.
Tick those and your listing will do its job — turning browsers into buyers.
Ready to write yours? Create a listing on Rūbas and put these tips to work.