In today’s fast-paced world, everyone is looking for ways to save time and make the most out of their resources. As someone who runs a budgeting and finance blog, I’ve always been interested in finding innovative ways to optimize financial outcomes. Recently, I had an experience that showcased how AI can transform even the simplest of tasks, like selling personal items online, into a streamlined, efficient process. One that takes a 90% less than it did before, now who would say NO to that?
It started when I decided to clear out my personal storage unit. I came across an item that I no longer needed but thought might be worth selling. Usually, I’d sit down, write out a product description, and come up with a competitive price based on what I’d seen on platforms like Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace. But this time, I decided to take a different approach. I thought, what if I just take a picture of the item and upload it to ChatGPT or other AI generative tools that I use for various tasks? The prompt was the following:
“Can you write me a description, with a price for Toronto , to list this item for Kijiji and FB Marketplace, including some top relevant keywords”
Within a few seconds, the system generated an amazing, very specific description along with a well-suited price and several high-ranking, related keywords. After making a slight adjustment to the price and some parts of the description, I posted it. To my surprise, I immediately had a fully-prepared listing that was ready to go. The description was clear and engaging, the title catchy, and the pricing suggestion was spot on for the local market. This saved me the time I’d usually spend scrolling through similar listings to gauge a competitive price and crafting the perfect wording for the ad.
With the AI-generated product listing in hand, I went ahead and posted it on Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace. And then, something incredible happened. Within just 24 hours, I received more than 21 inquiries about the item. I was shocked. Was the item just priced too low, or was it the magic of AI that made the listing stand out? Whatever the case, the response was overwhelming, and the item sold quickly—much faster than other items I had previously listed, and with far more interest.
The Power of AI in Selling
The whole experience made me realize that there’s more to AI than just convenience. Tools like ChatGPT can:
-Enhance the quality of product listings by using well-structured language, persuasive wording, and optimized keywords.
– Save time by automating the research process, such as determining competitive pricing for your location.
-Increase visibility by generating compelling titles and descriptions that attract potential buyers.
This could explain why my listing gained so much traction—AI helps your listing stand out by ensuring that it’s not just accurate, but also engaging and optimized for search engines and buyer behavior. But most importantly, AI is great when it comes to product description, something a lot of us may not be great at, especially if it is an item we are not very familiar with.
Was It the Price or the AI?
I’m still not sure if my item got so much attention because it was a great deal or because the AI-crafted listing was just that effective. However, one thing is clear: using AI tools like ChatGPT can transform how we approach everyday tasks like selling second-hand items online. It saves time, maximizes reach, and ultimately helps you make the sale faster.
If you’re looking to declutter and sell unused items, or if you’re running a small business and want to optimize your product listings, consider giving AI a try. You might be surprised by the results. In other words, AI tools can save you time, give you some extra cash, and free up some much needed space – what a perfect combination!
Ready to start selling smarter and faster? Here’s how to get started with using AI for your product listings:
- Take high-quality pictures of your item.
- Upload the picture to an AI tool like ChatGPT and give it a prompt similar to what I posted above
- Let the AI generate your description, title, and pricing suggestions.
- Post your listing on platforms like Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace.
- Watch the inquiries—and sales—come in!
- If your listing doesn’t attract much interest, such as views or replies, consider tweaking it. However, keep in mind that some items may simply not be very popular or in demand—it’s not necessarily a reflection on the AI’s effectiveness. Using AI can still save you significant time in crafting your listing.
If you’ve had success using AI in your financial life or business, I’d love to hear your story. Drop a comment below or reach out to me directly!