10 Steps to Start a Profitable Poshmark Business

Reselling clothing on platforms like Poshmark can be a profitable side hustle or even full time business. Personally I have gone through phases of wanting to make more money and to have a large inventory like some high earning resellers. But for my current season of life with two little ones, reselling my personal items instead of outwardly resourcing has proven to be a great little side hustle while making space for new items in our home.

But if I were to start over, here are some steps that I would take.

1. Research and Curate a Niche

• Focus on High-Demand Categories: Popular categories on Poshmark include:

  • Designer brands

  • Vintage clothing

  • Plus-size fashion

  • Athleisure wear

  • Shoes and accessories

• Research current trends, what’s selling, and what people are looking for. This can help you avoid items that are sitting stagnant.

2. Source Clothing to Resell

• Thrift Stores and Secondhand Shops: Look for high-quality, brand-name clothes at thrift stores, estate sales, or consignment shops.

• Clearance Sales & Outlet Stores: You can purchase brand-new items on clearance or at discounted outlets.

• Online Marketplaces: eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or even local buy-and-sell groups can be goldmines for discounted items.

• Family and Friends: I have had family and friends give me garbage bag after garbage bag of clothing they no longer wanted and they were just glad that I took it off their hands!

• Personal Closet: If you have clothes you no longer wear but are in good condition, list those to start building your inventory. This is one of my favorite ways to bring in extra income.

3. Assess Condition and Quality

• Ensure that the clothing you are selling is in good to excellent condition. Minor imperfections are fine but major stains, rips, or missing buttons should be repaired or avoided. I always list any imperfections in the item description and try to show them if possible in the pictures.

• Take note of brand names, fabric types, and any unique selling points like being limited edition, new with tags (NWT), or vintage.

4. Create High-Quality Listings

• Take Clear, Bright Photos: Use natural lighting, avoid distractions in the background, and take photos from multiple angles (front, back, side, and close-ups of details or flaws). I've even laid down a clean white sheet over my couch and put items on it for pictures. You really don't need a fancy set up!

• Write Detailed Descriptions: Include important info such as size, measurements, brand, fabric, condition, and any flaws. Be honest so that buyers are fully informed.

• Use Keywords: Think like a buyer! Include keywords that potential buyers might search for, such as "vintage Levi’s jeans," "designer shoes," or "boho dress."

5. Set Competitive Prices

• Research similar listings on Poshmark to see what similar items are selling for. Poshmark has a great new feature too where it will suggest a price for a listing based on the information you put in it.

• Take into account the original price of the item, its condition, and how in-demand it is.

• Price competitively but still leave room for profit. A good rule of thumb is to aim for at least a 2x markup over the cost of the item (after shipping and fees).

6. Engage with the Poshmark Community

• Share Listings Regularly: The more you share your listings, the higher their visibility. Poshmark’s algorithm favors active users.

• Follow Others: Build a community by following other users, engaging with their listings, and sharing items in your closet.

• Host "Posh Parties": You can participate in Poshmark-hosted events that focus on particular categories (like "Denim" or "Activewear") to boost your exposure.

• Offer Discounts and Bundles: Offering discounts on multiple purchases or running sales promotions can increase sales volume.

7. Provide Excellent Customer Service

• Respond Quickly: Answer questions from potential buyers promptly.

• Ship Promptly: Poshmark expects shipments within 2 business days. Ship items quickly to avoid delays and increase positive feedback.

• Packaging: Presentation matters! Consider using nice packaging, like tissue paper or thank-you notes. It adds a personal touch and encourages repeat business. Amazon sells some really cute stickers like these to put on packages. Because Poshmark also uses USPS Priority Shipping, you can get boxes from your local USPS for free so shipping supplies cost you $0!

8. Promote Your Closet

• Share your Poshmark listings on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest. Use hashtags and relevant keywords to get noticed.

• Collaborate with influencers or other resellers to cross-promote.

9. Optimize for Profit

• Poshmark Fees: Poshmark takes a 20% commission on sales over $15, or a flat $2.95 for items that sell for $15 or less.

• Factor these fees into your pricing strategy so that you're still making a decent profit after the sale.

10. Scale Your Business

• As you grow, you can reinvest your profits into expanding your inventory and reaching more buyers.

• Consider using a Poshmark VA (virtual assistant) to help with listing, sharing, and customer service as your business grows.

• Diversify your sales channels by listing on multiple platforms (e.g., eBay, Depop, Mercari, or even your own website).

Pro Tips:

• Stay Organized: Keep track of your inventory, costs, and profits with a spreadsheet or app.

• Use the Poshmark "Offer to Likers" feature: You can offer discounts to users who have liked your items, encouraging sales.