1) How to sell on Poshmark 101: Listing

Whether you’re looking to launch a reselling side gig or just get rid of your own clothes you don’t want anymore, selling them on Poshmark is a great way to do it!

In this series of articles I’m going to breakdown the 6 most important aspects of selling on Poshmark, so you can get listing and start getting real cash.

Here’s the basics I’m going to cover: listing, pricing, photographing, sharing, shipping, and Posh etiquette. And I’m going to keep all this SIMPLE. It’s the same exact advice I would sit down and give to a friend. And since you’re my virtual friend now, let’s do this.

A little backstory (if you’re interested):
I first started selling on Poshmark in May 2016. At the time I was doing several odd jobs and was looking for another way which I could help pay off our debt. So, I cleared out my old clothes and started listing them on Poshmark. What I soon discovered was that it was fun, people actually liked my things, and I could make some real cash doing it. I was hooked! After I ran out of my own things, I started scooping up goodies at garage sales and thrift stores and selling those. This gave me the first taste at small business, and I loved it. That’s how I got started in small business and I’ve been hooked ever since. So, needless to say, Poshmark holds a special place in my heart. And let me tell you, looking back at the past (almost) 3 years of my Poshmark experience, there’s never been a better or easier time to sell on Poshmark!

Now is a GREAT time to sell on Poshmark! There’s more active users than ever. There’s 4 million active sellers. And most (80%) of users make multiple purchases on the app. It’s because once you try it, you’re gonna like it.

How to Sell on Poshmark 101: Listing

I think the best way to learn is by doing it. So, let’s get to it. Download the app, if you haven’t already, you can use my code “MakeLemonade” to get $5 off your first purchase. ​

What to list? ​

Look, not everything in your closet is sellable. Sorry, those leggings with the pilling and the holes should NOT be listed. Neither should that hand me down dress with the shoulder pads and stained lace.

First thing to know is that Poshmark is a fashion only app. You cannot sell athletic gear (like yoga mats, weights, resistance bands), DVDs, household decor, water bottles, toys, games, or collectibles. You also cannot sell fakes or inauthentic items. Many have tried and a few have succeeded, but when you list these items you are breaking Poshmark’s rules and it can get your listing deleted and your account blocked. Don’t do it.

What you can sell are clothes and accessories in good condition for anyone (It use to be women’s only, so hip hip hooray!) , even swimsuits and bras (but not used undies), and unused (& unswatched) makeup (but not liquids like gels or lotions). I will add that clothes that are less than five years old and in style will sell better than out of date clothing. But, that doesn’t mean that you cannot sell vintage things! Some of my best sales came from clothes that were “vintage” or “almost vintage” but their style or colors were very desirable when I sold them.

How to determine if your clothes are in good condition:

Double check these top troublesome areas for functionality and imperfections: armpits, neckline, front of item, back of item, crotch, buttons, zippers, pockets, and hems. ​

Ask yourself these questions, if the answer is yes, don’t sell it on Poshmark.

• Is it excessively pilly?
• Are there any noticeable, major, or multiple stains?
• Are there any snags or large runs in the material?
• Has this item been altered or custom fitted?
• Is this item dirty or smelly?
• Is this item a knock-off or a dupe?

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If the item can be washed or repaired, it’s almost always worth doing that before deciding to list or toss it (and by toss, of course I mean donate or recycle it).

And if an item is in good shape, but not perfect shape or if it has been repaired or altered, always disclose exactly what is wrong with it in the description and the photos.

Writing Great Poshmark Titles & Descriptions:

A picture is worth a thousand words, but nothing turns away a buyer quicker than a three word description. Writing great descriptions are well worth your time. It can help your buyer make a decision on the spot and save you time later on from having to double check the item when a buyer has a question.

Titles: If your buyer cannot find your item, they cannot buy it. Be specific as possible. If the item has a name to it, include it! For example: Lululemon fans look for items based on their items. So instead of just writing: Lululemon leggings. Try: Lululemon Align Pant Leggings in True Navy. Forget subjective adjectives like “cute” or “beautiful”. Sorry to break it to you, but no one is searching for “cute dress” or “beautiful scarf”. Do you know what’s more helpful? Brand name, style, shape, color, and size. For example: Instead of “cute dress” or “red dress”, try “Donna Morgan NWT Red A-Line Dress 3/4 Sleeves” (NWT stands for New with tags).

Here’s what I like to include in every description and it has worked out for me.
-A description of the shape/ style
Is it in excellent condition or good condition? Is it a high neck or a low neck? Are they skinny jeans or bootcut jeans? Is it a crossbody bag or a tote bag? Etc. (If you need to learn styles, search Google for “Dress styles chart” or “Shoes styles chart” for great visuals)
-A mention of any faults or imperfections and a verbal link to the picture that highlights this flaw.
I.e. “Very small spot on the leg as shown in picture 3”
-A mention of what you think the color is
Color is very hard. Everyone has a slightly different ability to see it (especially men, 10% of men are red/green color blind) and then when we include varying technologies like the camera that took the photo, monitor and phone screens, and blue light filtering lenses, it can be really really hard to determine color. I like to give it my best bet and then leave a disclaimer. Mine looks like this: “Light blue (Colors may vary on screen.)”
-Size and measurements
Even if you have a picture of the tag, please list the size. And even if you already included it in the drop down menus, please just list the size again. Measurements I always include: for tops: chest (armpit to armpit measurement x2) and length (top of shoulder to hem); for dresses: chest, waist (natural waist, where the belly button would be, measurement x2), and length; for pants/shorts: waist, rise (the length from the crotch to the top in front), and inseam (the length from the crotch to the hem on the bottom). ​

A note about measurements: Not a lot of people want to include measurements unless someone has a question. Well, that could be costing you sales! Buyers want to know the measurements when they’re ready to buy and that could be a 4 am while you’re sleeping or 2 pm while you’re working. By the time you get back to them several hours later, they’ve already moved on to someone else’s item that had the measurements in the description. ​

If you do these things, you’re going to be set up for success on Poshmark. What you get out of Poshmark highly depends on what you put into it. And listing good stuff and writing great titles and descriptions are some of the most important aspects! The next important aspect I’m going to cover is Pricing. I know this is an area that tends to trip people up, so we’re going to talk about that next!

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For my Poshmark veterans out there, how'd I do? Did I make you proud? Is there something else you would add? 

For my new to Poshmark friends, do you have any questions I can answer for you? If so, drop them below in the comment section!