This past month, I embarked on a new adventure by joining Poshmark. While I was aware of this website for a long time, I was inspired to finally sign up for my own account thanks to YouTubers Lisa Stevens and The Deal Queen. These two women got me so excited about the idea of selling on Poshmark that I had to try it for myself! I joined on February 2, 2020, and listed a bunch of my old clothing that I had recently decluttered from my wardrobe. I was amazed at how quickly the notifications came pouring in, and I became sucked into the app right away. Today I want to share with you how my first month on Poshmark went in terms of sales, stats, and what I’ve learned so far.
I first want to mention why I joined Poshmark in the first place. For the past year, I’ve been looking for a side hustle that I can keep up with despite having a full time job that keeps me away from home over 60 hours a week. I do have an Etsy shop, but I haven’t had much luck with sales, and handmade items take a long time to produce. I’ve also dabbled in flipping used books for profit, but I’ve found the profit margin to be quite low. When I began learning about how profitable selling on Poshmark can be, I figured I would give it a try. My goal with Poshmark is to earn a respectable side income by selling pre-owned fashion. Not only is it a great way to keep clothing from ending up in a landfill, but it’s a lot of fun as well!
My First Sales
The majority of the items I had for sale in my Poshmark Closet in my first month were items that I was decluttering. My parents also gave me some items they decluttered as well. I was extremely excited to make seven sales in my first month! After Poshmark fees, I made a total of $71.41. While that may not sound like a lot, that is pure profit since these were items I already had lying around the house. I’ve also learned that a sale on Poshmark is considered quick when it is made in the first week or two. Thus, to move seven items in my first month is pretty good!
Additionally, I have started going to the thrift store on the weekends to purchase items to resell. So far, I’ve found some pieces I really like, but I haven’t made any sales of thrifted items yet. I’m hopeful that I can continue to reinvest the money I make on Poshmark into sourcing great fashion items. That way, I can build my inventory and reach more buyers. I typically spend 2-3 hours thrifting on the weekend, and I take all of my product photos on the weekend as well.
My Posh Stats
One of the most surprising aspects of Poshmark has been the amount of followers one gets on the platform. I have averaged 1,000 followers per week, and ended my first month at over 4,300 followers. I wish Instagram worked like this! It’s my understanding that more followers doesn’t necessarily equate more sales. However, I find that following people is a great way to make connections on the app. There are some people I interact with regularly in my feed, and it’s nice to follow them and share their items daily. Having all of these followers is pretty exciting, and I’m interested to see if this growth continues.
Moreover, one of my goals for the near future is to reach Posh Ambassador status. Apparently, the Posh Ambassador program gives you a boost in the algorithm of some sort. I actually am very close to becoming a Posh Ambassador! I think being active on the app really helps not only with sales, but with learning the ins and outs of the Poshmark community as well. It’s important to engage with the community, and not just list your items and hope they sell.
Things I’m Learning
While I’m very happy with my progress so far, I do have a lot to learn about the Poshmark and reselling world. First and foremost, I need to learn more about fashion. I’ll be the first to admit I am not a fashionista. I do not know many trends or hot brands, so I have been watching a lot of YouTube videos to try and learn more. Right now I’m loving Empty Hanger!
Similarly, I am learning more about how to price items, when to make offers to those who Like my items, and when to accept or reject an offer. Since Poshmark does have a system based on negotiating, it can be difficult to know how to price things. I’ve been trying to give myself a bit of wiggle room, but at the same time list things at what I believe is a good price. In the same way, I’ve found that low-ball offers are to be expected on Poshmark, and you need to be prepared for them. My biggest surprise was someone who made me an offer that was 55% off my asking price! I politely submitted a counteroffer. I absolutely love negotiating (it’s my favorite part of my day job!), so I am always excited to get an offer in my Closet.
Finally, I think the key to success in the Poshmark app is being an active member. I aim to share my entire closet three times per day. I also participate in Posh Parties whenever I can. While a party has never lead to a direct sale for me, it’s a great way to meet other active users in the app. I also try to list items as frequently as possible, even if that means only one item per day. I don’t spend my entire day glued to the app, but I definitely check in when I can. I also utilize my social media like Facebook and Instagram to promote my Closet. You never know who will click through to your Closet and purchase something!
In the end, I am so excited that I finally joined Poshmark, and I look forward to seeing my growth. If you’ve been considering it for a long time as well, I highly recommend joining the app. Perhaps start just as I did by decluttering your own closet! You can use my referral code ADVINPOLISHLAND when you sign up to get a $10.00 credit towards your first purchase. Please let me know in the comments your thoughts on Poshmark. Do you sell or buy on Poshmark? Do you want me to share an update on my progress? Please let me know!