Tips for Professional Listing

How to Create a Professional & Competitive Listing on Empire Yachting

Creating an engaging listing is essential for standing out in the market and attracting serious buyers. Whether you're a broker or a boat owner, following these best practices will help you present your vessel in the best possible light and close deals faster.

Listing Title

Always follow this format: Year, Make, Model. This keeps listings clear, professional, and ensures your boat shows up in relevant search results. A precise title not only improves visibility but also helps potential buyers instantly recognize the key details. Avoid cluttering the title with unnecessary extras in the title.
Example: 2014 San Lorenzo SL82.

Photos

High-quality, professional-looking photos make a huge difference in capturing attention. Use natural light whenever possible and clean the vessel thoroughly beforehand. Include wide shots of the entire boat and detailed close-ups of standout features like the helm, galley, staterooms, engine, and exterior finishes. Consider photographing during golden hour for the best lighting or use a professional photographer that captures this. A clean, well-lit image helps buyers imagine themselves behind the wheel or relaxing onboard. If you’re unsure where to get started, Empire Yachting can provide inhouse professional photographers and drone pilots delivered to your boat to capture the best shots and footage for your listing.

Videos

A short walkaround video or even better, a video showing the boat underway can dramatically boost engagement. Listings with videos typically get more views and sell faster. A short, well-edited video can elevate your listing and engage buyers more effectively than text alone. Include your best social media Reel for the boat that your a listing in the URL box provided. Also a walkaround showing the exterior, interior flow, and engine running sound provides a real-world experience of the boat. Videos let buyers “tour” the vessel from anywhere. If you’re unsure how to create a compelling video, Empire Yachting can help, please reach out and let us handle the visuals to give your listing an edge. A little movement goes a long way in sparking interest and emotion. We edit and create quality visuals that boost instantly your sales potential.

Stay Active

Keep your listing competitive by staying engaged. Log in regularly, monitor your messages and reply promptly. Prompt replies show professionalism and help you keep hot leads from going cold. Buyers appreciate responsiveness, it shows you’re serious and trustworthy. Even a quick reply can make the difference between closing a deal or losing a buyer to another seller. Consider updating your listing from time to time to keep it fresh, active and visible in search results.

Complete Every Field

Don’t leave your listing half-finished. Fill out all available specs and details: Dimensions, fuel type, top speed, tank capacity, etc. The more complete your listing, the more professional and appealing it looks to buyers.

Detailed Descriptions

This is your chance to tell the boat’s story. Be thorough. Include technical specs, engine hours, dimensions, equipment lists, upgrades, service history, and how the boat has been used (freshwater/saltwater, weekend cruising, etc.). Mention any recent repairs or refurbishments. Highlight features that set your boat apart and anything else that might influence a buyer’s decision. Be specific and informative. Vagueness turns buyers away, the more detail, the more confident a buyer feels reaching out.

Price It Right

Take time to research your pricing. Look at comparable listings and market trends. A competitively priced vessel gets more attention and moves faster. Not sure where to start? We can help guide you toward the right pricing strategy.

Be Honest and Transparent

Transparency builds trust, trust sells boats. Disclose any known issues, cosmetic blemishes, or mechanical faults upfront. Honesty saves everyone time and increases your chances of connecting with genuine buyers. A clear, upfront listing attracts more serious inquiries and reduces unnecessary back-and-forth. Serious buyers appreciate a straight-shooter. Buyers are more likely to negotiate and commit when they know exactly what they’re getting.

Promote Through Our Channels

Want even more exposure? We offer Social Media promotions, ads, newsletter features, and premium placements online to help boost your listing’s reach to. Get in touch with us if you’d like your listing to be featured across our different platforms and be visible to thousands of potential buyers worldwide.