3 months ago
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Combine a love for protecting the environment with a true fascination of consumer spending, sprinkle in a thrifting addiction and you’ve got yourself the makings of a reseller. That’s me. I’m a part-time reseller on Poshmark, a social marketplace for new and secondhand fashion. It’s a couple of my passions all rolled into one and makes for an entertaining and profitable side hustle.
What started out as somewhat of an afterthought has surely evolved from those first weeks and months on Poshmark. In the beginning, I sold things my children had outgrown, plus some things in my own closet that I was ready to part with. These days, I find myself sourcing things worthy of a second chance while still listing some of my family’s things. In the beginning, I was averaging about 30 sold listings per year with earnings of around $500. Just halfway through this year, I’ve already doubled my sold listings and tripled my earnings! It has taken time, patience, persistence and gratitude to nurture this wild idea of selling gently used goods, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
How I Got Started as a Poshmark Seller
My journey on Poshmark started out as a New Year’s resolution to try new things. On December 31, 2018, my “closet” as it’s referred to on Posh, was open for business. It took me a few months of researching, exploring the various tools and lurking around in other’s closets before I actually listed anything for sale. My first listing was a kid’s Lands End windbreaker that had belonged to my son. I was so delighted when it sold a few short weeks after listing that I was absolutely certain that one day this would become more than just a hobby.
With a full-time job and not much extra time on my hands, I was just a casual seller. Occasionally I would list exciting thrift finds but by no means was I putting in the effort to make this a lucrative career. Fast forward to this year, I’ve dedicated more time and attention to my Poshmark closet, treating it as a business venture and I’m beyond excited to see what the future holds.
What I Sell in My Poshmark Closet
Image: PoshmarkCurrently, you’ll find women’s, men’s and children’s clothing and shoes available for sale, with a few accessories and household items mixed in. Poshmark has created multiple categories on the platform, enabling you to sell almost anything – which they have been criticized for, but I appreciate. There is a bundling feature available for buyers such that if someone likes multiple things in your closet, they can combine all those items into one purchase and pay a single shipping fee. With that in mind, I think offering a wider variety of items for sale gives buyers the opportunity to truly shop your closet and sellers the chance to generate larger sales. In fact, in my closet, I offer an automatic 10% discount if you purchase 2 or more items in a bundle.
My absolute favorite pieces to sell are purses, bags and dresses. I always gravitate toward these sections first when thrifting. It just fills my cup to find these things a new home and know that someone else is enjoying them. Plus, when I source them to resell (because I definitely can’t part with any of my own), I tend to photograph them and list them right away, which keeps inventory moving quickly.
My Strategies as a Poshmark Seller
As with any business, everyone’s model will be a bit unique. Sales, inventory and sourcing tactics vary from one reseller to the next. Here are some Poshmark selling strategies that keep me on track to reach my personal goals.
1. Keep Seasonality in Mind
Seasonality is a constant in fashion. People will inevitably be purchasing beach attire for summer and snow gear for winter. Wardrobes rotate approximately twice per year. While it’s hard to fathom purchasing a bathing suit in the Midwest in February, listing ahead of seasons will secure additional sales. I try to follow the same calendar rotation as large retailers. Except for Christmas in September, I just can’t get on board with that.
2. Research Prices
Pricing is a crucial aspect of being a successful seller. A good rule of thumb is to research sold comparisons and price your item accordingly. I tend to price my listings slightly higher so I can send out personalized discounts to buyers who like my item while also leaving a cushion to accept offers. In addition, I keep a detailed spreadsheet with information like the cost of goods and date listed, so I can easily determine the absolute lowest price point I can accept while still turning a profit.
3. Provide Customer Service
Customer service is key. To be successful – in business and in life – treat others the way you want to be treated. I take this to heart with every interaction and sale. I maintain clear communication, package items with care, ship out orders promptly and always thank the buyer for their purchase with a personal note. I pride myself on being a Posh Ambassador and a top-rated seller with 217 five-star ratings.
Trying Other Resale Sites
Poshmark has a lot of competition out there when it comes to other reselling platforms. Ebay is probably the one that comes to mind first, and I have dabbled there a bit, but the listing and shipping processes are substantially different from Poshmark and will take some experimenting.
Each reselling platform has different demographics of shoppers too, so what sells well on Depop may not get any attention on Mercari. Plus, each platform has a different set of rules and fee structures, which will require additional number crunching. I plan to branch out soon but for right now, my focus is mainly on Posh.
Tips to Start Turning a Profit on Poshmark
1. Stay Active
No one has truly cracked the Poshmark algorithm, but it seems the more active you are on the site, the more visibility your closet gets. I cannot stress the importance of sharing your listings regularly to stay at the top of the search results. Share from other closets, follow fellow Poshers and list consistently. It’s a social marketplace, after all, so staying active will yield positive results.
2. Optimize Titles
Optimize your titles and listings with keywords for another way to stay on top of the search results. Add the brand, style, color and size to your title and always take advantage of the three style tags available within each listing. Consider it the hashtag of Poshmark.
3. Top-Notch Photos and Descriptions
Take clear photos and write detailed descriptions. Things like fabric content and measurements are important to mention. And honesty is the best policy when it comes to flaws. Be sure to disclose any imperfections so buyers can purchase from you with confidence. People who shop your closet will collectively determine your seller rating so providing great customer service is sure to earn you some repeat business.
3. Stay on Top of Trends
Stay current with trends. Brand names are important, but keeping up with the latest fashion trends will all but guarantee quick sales. Stroll through department stores and watch YouTube videos to get a glimpse into the latest styles to be on the lookout for. Many successful resellers create “what sold” videos and those are my favorite to watch and take notes.
Receive a $10 credit upon joining Poshmark with this referral code: HEATHERUNFOLDED
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