Looking to make some easy money on the side? Consider cleaning out your closet and listing your unwanted items on Poshmark. Now, when I say “unwanted,” I don’t mean ragged stuff no one wants – I’m talking about gently worn clothing, clothing that’s brand new without tags, or clothing that’s brand new with tags.
As a lifestyle blogger who goes through a lot of outfits, I’ve sold my clothing and accessories for years now. I’ve tried various platforms, but Poshmark is by far the best, which brings me to the heart of today’s post! I’ll be sharing all my tips with you guys so stick with me until the end to learn how to make a little (…or a lot) of extra money on the side.
Looking to make some extra $? See how you can rake in the dough with Poshmark on my latest post! Click To Tweet
1. Model your clothing
Trust me, it makes a huge difference, and you’ll sell much more in the long run if you do so. Don’t get me wrong, I love flat lays as much as the next, but I’ve found that customers prefer to see others wear whatever it is they’re looking to buy.
Remember to shoot from different angles and if you can, take your photos outside because natural lighting trumps all. You also want to take close-up shots of cute details. For example, if the buttons on your shirt are special, mention it in your description and snap a pic of it so everyone can see and admire!
2. List info on fabric and care.
When I’m out shopping, I take everything into consideration regardless of the price. I don’t care if it’s Forever 21 or Maxmara, I want to know what the fabric is and how to take care of it.
Everyone machine washes, but not everyone takes their stuff to the cleaners so if it’s dry clean only, it could be a dealbreaker. I mean, technically if he or she doesn’t ask, it’s their “fault,” but you want to make sure your customer’s happy.
All you need to do is take an extra second to enter this info in while creating your listing to facilitate sales in the future. Study the label and enter it in exactly as written! You can even take a phone pic of it and add it that way if you don’t feel like typing everything out.
3. Provide measurements
I know this may seem like a hassle, but it’s really not as tedious as it sounds! Keep a retractable tape measure handy when you’re updating your Poshmark closet so you can quickly enter everything in as you create your listing.
Chances are, your customer will ask you what they are anyways so you’re actually saving time in the long run. I mean, think about it from their perspective. They’re shopping online, so unless they’ve tried the exact piece on in-person at another store, they don’t know anything about the size since it varies from brand to brand. Do it right from the getgo so you don’t have to dig it out and update your listing later down the road.
4. Have some fun with your listing
Make sure it’s informative but interesting. Don’t just write, “blue shirt, size small.” Who wants to buy that? It wouldn’t kill you to use some adjectives. Is it a cobalt blue, a sky blue, or a turquoise? Where can he or she wear it out and what should they wear it with? You want to be specific in your description, and it wouldn’t hurt to show some enthusiasm.
Here’s a sample for you guys: “This teal top is super versatile – it transitions beautifully from work to play! Pair it with fitted dress pants for a chic, office-friendly ensemble or style it with a sequin mini for a fun night out with friends. This top is a size small, and it fits true to size – length: 23″, shoulder to hand: 17″, bust: 34″. This fab top’s made of 100% polyester but it feels like chiffon. Care: machine wash cold.”
5. If you’re selling pre-loved clothing, be honest and upfront
Make sure you list any and all flaws and avoid using filters on your pictures. As mentioned above, natural light looks way better, and you may inadvertently mislead your customer by accidentally masking imperfections with photo effects.
Here’s a sample for your reference: “This maroon skater skirt is absolutely adorable – it’s pre-loved, but I’ve only worn it twice so it’s in near perfect condition with 0 flaws whatsoever. It’s a size XS, but it’s made of rayon/polyester/spandex blend so the material has a bit of give. Perfect for a warm summer day!”
6. Be active
Poshmark hosts themed parties every night so share listings when applicable. If you’re looking to get more followers on the app, go on a massive follow spree. Most poshers will follow back, and if they like what they see, the offers will start rolling in.
If you’re active on other social media platforms, remember to cross promote! Let your friends and family know that you’re selling, and don’t be shy. Remember that Poshmark is a community so make friends with others by sharing cute items from their closets. It takes little to no effort, and it’s a great way to get support other sellers on the platform. I’m convinced that posh karma’s a thing! In all seriousness, they’ll usually reciprocate, and more eyeballs mean more money so go wild.
7. Always follow-up
Even if this isn’t your main source of income, you’re still technically running a business of sorts. If you plan on selling long term, you want to make sure that your customers are pleased! Maintain good relationships, and always thank them for their business.
Your goal is to hook them and turn them into repeat customers. Now, how do you do that? Quality stuffs and stellar customer service. I’ve already taught you how to write a killer description so all you have to do at this point is be friendly, courteous and prompt!
8. Ship your parcel with care
Don’t just shove your clothing in a box because you feel lazy – that’s straight-up disrespectful. Take time to fold your clothing nicely, and if you’re shipping something pre-loved, iron it! How would you feel if you got a crappy package in the mail with a wrinkly shirt stuffed inside! You want your customer to feel special so go the extra mile.
They spent good money on you, and they deserve a great product in return. Go to your nearest Target and pick up some tissue paper – you can get 40-some sheets for like $3. Then head on to TJ Maxx to get some thank you cards in the clearance section!
If you don’t have any boxes at home, don’t fret – just go to usps.com and have free shipping supplies delivered to your home. Wrap your package nicely, throw in a personalized card, place it in a box, and then schedule a pick-up with USPS. Easy peasy!
Alright friends, I hope you enjoyed reading this! If you guys have any questions, feel free to tweet, email, leave me a comment, whatever! I promise to answer ASAP, and I have over 317k+ followers on there (view my closet here) and quite a bit of experience so I’m confident I can help.
What do you guys like to do with your old clothes? Are you familiar with Poshmark? How many of you guys already sell something on the side? Let me know by leaving a comment below, and make sure you check back soon for new content. Until next time, friends!
Always love browsing your closet on PM! It's a familiar feeling seeing the same person and clothing as on your blog!
These are great tips! I've had no luck at all on Poshmark so I just stick to eBay. I use your tips still about how to discuss your items and sell them. Not enough people provide measurements but I think it's so important! Gotta love buying thrifted items!
Great tips 🙂
http://www.ivanasworld.com
Great tips! If you like to swap clothes there's a new startup in private beta: beta.rekindness.com that let's you swap without the hassle of negotiating
I' m of the understanding that a seller is not to use regular USPS priority boxes to mail their items to buyers? Is the true? If so, what USPS shipping boxes can be used?
Hm, maybe they meant to avoid flat-rate or regional boxes. Those don't work, but I use USPS priority boxes to ship all the time! You're supposed to use those. I hope that helps!
Thank you for the shipping help!
Hi! Thank you for the post! Great reminders and great ideas:) I was wondering if you have had more success listing 1-3 every couple of days or so, or doing a big 10-20 item upload every week or two…thoughts? Thanks!
Thanks so much for taking the time to read it! I'm glad you found it helpful. Personally, I list 2-4 items a week, but there's nothing wrong with doing a big 10-20 item upload, especially if you keep things consistent. If your followers know that you upload a ton of new stuff a certain day of the week, they'll know when to check back! I hope that makes sense =)