My friend recently told me she wanted to start a Poshmark closet and asked me for tips. As you are probably aware, Poshmark can be a very lucrative side hustle, and she was keen to turn her passion for fashion into some extra cash. That inspired me to write this blog post on how to start a Poshmark closet. I’ll cover everything you need to know to launch your very own Poshmark closet, including tips for optimizing your profile for search engines.
What is Poshmark?
With over 80 million registered users, Poshmark has quickly become one of the largest online marketplaces for buying and selling secondhand clothing and accessories. It’s a great platform whether you’re simply looking to declutter your closet or are up to a full-fledged entrepreneurial adventure.
Poshmark is not just your average online reselling site – it’s more than that. It’s a social commerce platform for buying and selling fashion items, including clothing, shoes, accessories, and beauty products. Poshmark also has a strong community aspect, with features like Posh Parties, where users can participate in virtual shopping events, and a social feed where users can follow and connect with other sellers and buyers. That is why Poshmark closets are so important, and it’s crucial to consider your branding and image when you start a Poshmark closet – you want it to reflect who you are and be attractive to potential buyers (it’s almost like an Instagram account for your clothes).
What is a Poshmark closet?
Your Poshmark closet showcases the items you have for sale. It is where your clothes and other things appear when you list them. Successful “Poshers” or Poshmark users often have nicely curated closets with a uniform style, which helps them brand themselves. Buyers can visit your closet and purchase things directly from you. It’s as if you were running a consignment shop from the comfort of your home.
My closet looks like this, as I attempt to keep the pictures relatively similar:
Poshmark closets can range from a small collection of clothes to thousands of items, depending on the goals and dedication of the user. Some people use their Poshmark closet as a way to declutter their closet and make a little extra cash, while others turn it into a side hustle or even a full-time business.
How to start a Poshmark closet?
Are you yet convinced that you should start a Poshmark closet? Well, you should! Fortunately, it’s super easy!
Step 1: Setting up your Poshmark account
The first step in starting your Poshmark closet is to create an account. To sign up, simply download the Poshmark app or visit the Poshmark website and fill out the required information. Be sure to include a clear profile picture and a short but informative bio that reflects your personal style and the types of items you’ll be selling. Remember that your username is shown in your closet, so it’s a good idea to pick something that you like and that gives an idea of what your Poshmark closet is about.
Step 2: Clean out your closet
It’s time to Marie Condo your closet! Go ahead and choose the items that no longer spark joy (or that you’re otherwise ready to part with). Start thinking about your Poshmark page – how do you want it to look? What do you want your closet to tell about you?
Step 3: Pick the items to start your Poshmark closet with
Now that you’re ready to say goodbye to your old clothes, think carefully which of them are worth listing. Inspect for any holes, stains, or damage. You don’t want your first buyers to receive worn-out items. And if there are any imperfections, make sure to show them in your pictures and mention them in the description.
It’s important to note that Poshmark has strict guidelines on what can and can’t be sold on the platform. For example, items that are counterfeit, replicas, or otherwise fake are strictly prohibited. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the Poshmark guidelines to ensure you’re only listing things that are allowed on the platform – otherwise, you could risk having your account shut down.
Step 4: Take quality photos
I can’t emphasize this enough. When you start your Poshmark closet, the quality of the pictures you take of your items matters a lot! Poshmark is a visual marketplace, after all. When I started, I had to redo a bunch of dark pictures taken of wrinkled clothes because – as you might guess – nobody would buy them. Ensure your photos are well-lit and clearly show the item from multiple angles. You don’t need a professional camera – your smartphone camera will do the trick. Avoid any shadows or reflections.
It’s a good idea to add at least 4-6 pictures of each item. I generally take pictures of the brand and material tags, too. Quality photos are one of the most critical factors that allow you to sell your things faster and at higher prices, as buyers find them appealing.
Step 5: List your items to start your Poshmark closet
You now have selected the items you wish to sell and taken pictures. Great! It’s time to list your items and start your Poshmark closet! Start by choosing the appropriate category for your item, then provide a clear description that includes all relevant details, such as size, material, and condition. Again, make sure to mention any imperfections. Often, new sellers include only a short description, but I would advise you to write comprehensive descriptions from the beginning. Consider adding, e.g., measurements. That way, buyers have more information about the item and don’t have to reach out to you to ask questions. This makes it easier for them to buy your product.
Step 6: Optimize your listings for search engines (SEO optimization)
To ensure potential buyers see your items, optimizing your listings for search engines is essential. This means using relevant keywords in your title and description that accurately reflect the item you’re selling. For example, instead of just writing “black dress,” try “little black cocktail dress size medium,” both in your title and description. This will make it easier for buyers searching for specific items to find your listings. I also add the brand name in the title and description for this reason.
Your buyers can’t buy your product unless they find it! And many buyers look for certain items, e.g., on Google, as opposed to directly on Poshmark. When you SEO optimize, your items will show up first.
Step 7: Pricing your items
Make sure that your items are priced reasonably and competitively. Yet, you want to ensure that you get the best possible price for them (profit-maximizing – we live in a capitalist world, after all). I tend to check “comps” – that is, I look for similar items on Poshmark to see what they sold for. E.g., if I have a Sézane Leontine sweater for sale, I search with those keywords on Poshmark and see what other sellers have sold it for. On Poshmark, there is a handy feature that allows you to filter the search results so that you only see sold items.
Remember that, more often than not, you won’t sell your item at full price. Buyers look for bargains, and thus, they make you offers (or you might send them one). That’s why I usually price my items just a bit higher than the comps, as this leaves me room to negotiate with my buyers.
It’s also important to note that Poshmark takes a commission on each sale, so be sure to factor this into your pricing strategy. On Poshmark, the standard commission is $2.95 for sales under $15 and 20% for sales over $15. That’s why it generally doesn’t make sense to list those $5 t-shirts.
Step 8: Promote your closet
One of the best ways to build a successful Poshmark closet is to engage with your followers. Share your listings on Poshmark and social media and participate in Poshmark’s sharing and hosting events, such as Posh Parties, to get your items in front of a wider audience. This is likely to lead to more sales.
When you start your Poshmark closet, it is helpful to build your follower base because that way, your listings will be seen by more people (i.e., you generally share your listings to your “followers,” and they may share your listings for you). Find out here how to get more Poshmark followers.
Step 9: Interact with your followers
Interacting with your followers is a great way to build a community and create loyal customers. Respond to comments and questions promptly, and consider offering special deals or discounts to your followers. Doing this can not only increase sales but also encourage repeat business. Poshmark now has many useful features that allow you to send an offer to those who like your listing. I use that often. When I list a new item and people start “liking” it, I send them a 10 % or 20 % off offer (that’s why it’s important to price your items a little higher). That has helped my sales a lot!
10: Ship your items in a timely manner
You made your first sale – yay! Now, all you have to do is to ship it to your buyer. Make sure that you package your item neatly and that it is clean and wrinkle-free. Poshmark will send you a shipping label. You just have to print the label and attach it to the package. While Poshmark gives you seven days to ship your sold things, try to take them to the post office as soon as you can. That way, your buyer gets them faster – and you get your money faster, too! Buyers appreciate short shipping times, and a happy buyer can convert into a regular customer.
Step 11: Keep your closet organized
Finally, it’s important to keep your Poshmark closet organized and up-to-date. By keeping your closet organized, you’ll not only make it easier for buyers to shop, but you’ll also build a reputation as a trustworthy and reliable seller, which will increase the likelihood of future sales.
Regularly update your closet by listing new items. Being active on Poshmark will increase the visibility of your closet. If you notice that you run out of personal items to list but are not ready to give up on selling on Poshmark, it might be time to go thrifting!
In conclusion, starting a Poshmark closet is a fun and easy way to make some extra cash, declutter your wardrobe, and even turn your passion for fashion into a side hustle. With a little effort and creativity, you can build a successful Poshmark closet in no time.
I hope this post has provided you with insights and inspiration for starting your own Poshmark closet. If you have any questions or need further information, feel free to reach out in the comments section below. Good luck on your Poshmark journey!