by kat82 » 01 Aug 2025, 17:18 - Facebook marketplace.png (83.67 KiB) Viewed 67 times
Many people think you must own a shop or have many items before you start selling. But let me tell you something real. I started making money by just using my phone, sometimes computer and Facebook. I did not have any stock. I did not even have capital. All I had was time, my small experience, and some few people I knew. That is how I started selling things on Facebook Marketplace.
If you do not know it yet, Facebook Marketplace is a place on Facebook where people post items they want to sell. It is like an online shop, but free. You just upload the photo, write the price, and wait for someone to message you. Simple.
But I found another smart way to use it. I started finding items from other people, posted them, and got paid a commission. You can also do it. Let me explain how.
Where I Find Items to Sell
At first, I started by asking around. I asked people in my area if they had anything they wanted to sell. Some had old TVs, chairs, phones, speakers, and even used cars. Others were selling services like house painting, car washing, or home repairs.
I told them I could help them find buyers on Facebook. Most of them agreed because they did not have time or knowledge to post online. That is how I started. I would take photos of the items, get the price, and post them on my Facebook and also in the Facebook Marketplace.
Some of the common things I sell include used phones and electronics, second-hand clothes and shoes, motorbikes and cars, house rental rooms, services like plumbing, welding, tailoring, etc.
How I Post and Get Buyers
When I get the item, I write a simple but honest description. I make sure the photos are clear. Example for a car, I post front, back, side, and inside photos. I write things like model, year, condition, and contact.
I also join many Facebook groups that target the audience of my choice depending on what I am selling for example, those with keywords like Buy and Sell in Uganda, Used Cars Uganda, Second-Hand Items Kampala, Cheap Electronics UG, etc. I share my posts there. You can post in many groups at the same time. In one day, many people may message you asking for details.
Sometimes they call. If it is a car, I connect them to the owner. If they agree, the owner sells, and I get my commission. Most of the time, I agree on a fixed commission with the owner before. For example, 100k or 150k for each sale.
How I Earn Without Losing Money
The beauty is I do not spend money buying the item. I do not keep the stock. I only market the item and connect buyer to seller. That is why I like it. You can agree on your commission depending on the item. For small items, you can charge 10k or 20k. For bigger things like cars or land, you can get 200k or even more. Sometimes the owner tells me, “Sell it at any price above this and keep the difference.” For example, if the car is 9M, I can post it at 9.5M. If someone buys, I keep 500k. That is how people are eating silently.
Challenges I Faced
Of course, not all days are good. Some challenges I met include but not limited to fake buyers who just ask and disappear, people wasting time, asking too many questions and never buying, scammers, etc. I learned to be careful especially those sellers who delay or change price, which can confuse buyers.
But with time, I learned how to handle people. I became more serious. Now when someone calls, I ask direct questions. If they are serious, I link them. If not, I move on.
Tips for Anyone Who Wants to Start
Let me share some small advice for someone who wants to try these!
- Always take clear photos of the item
- Be honest about the condition — do not lie
- Agree with the owner early on how much commission you will get
- Post often and in many active groups
- Use your own phone number or let buyers call the owner directly
- Keep communication clear and respectful
- If it is a big item like a car or plot, meet in a public place or with trusted people
Why I Like Facebook Marketplace?
This thing changed how I see business. Before, I thought business is for people with money and shops. Now I know even a jobless youth can earn online using their phone. I also met new people, made small business connections, and learned how to talk with clients. Slowly, I am even planning to open my own small shop using the money I made.
I believe even if you are not selling now, you can try. Look around your area — ask neighbors, family members, boda guys, shopkeepers. Some of them are sitting on items they do not need. Help them sell, and help yourself earn.
Conclusion
Selling on Facebook Marketplace is not hard. You do not need to be a tech expert. Just be smart, honest, and serious. Use your phone to find items or services around you. Post them, talk to buyers, and earn a commission when they buy. That is how I started with nothing and now earn something. It is not magic. It is not perfect. But it works — if you do it well.
