How to Guide: Tips on Getting Started on Poshmark

Buying and Selling tips for new users

Here’s a “how to guide” where I break down what Poshmark is and any tips if you’re looking to become a buyer, seller, or both!

What’s Poshmark?
Poshmark is a fun and simple way to buy and sell items online! You can buy or sell items like clothes, accessories, shoes, makeup, and the list goes on. You can find used and new clothing on Poshmark and connect with millions of users across the United States. Still not convinced? Well have you ever seen something online that was sold out? You can go on Poshmark and it will most likely be up for sale on someone’s closet! I have always come across items that are sold out on retail website, but Poshmark has always come to the rescue!

How does it work?
To get started on Poshmark you can download the IOS app from the app store or from the google play store. You can also create an account on their website Poshmark.com and follow the steps. After filling out your first and last name, password, and username, you will be asked if you have a promo code. This step is optional however if you want $10 off your first purchase, you can use my code YAY02.

After this, you have now created your Poshmark account and you can start listing items or making purchases by filling in your billing info and other necessary information!

Poshmark Tips for Sellers

1. Own a Tape Measure
When I first started on Poshmark I often panicked for not being able to give measurements when I’ve been asked. So it’s very handy to have a tape measure at home so you can give the measurements for any tops, jeans, pants, etc. If you don’t own one, here is the one I bought on Amazon for an inexpensive price! Being able to assist your potential buyers makes you responsive and lets people know that there is an open communication. Some sellers on Poshmark will ignore potential buyers in the comment section, which is something that shouldn’t be done if you want to make sales.

2. Taking Nice Photos of Your Items
Taking clear photos of your items is one of the keys to drawing attention to your listing. Do not take your photos in bad lighting because it will make your image harder to see, and if your featured photo doesn’t look presentable, people will be less likely to click on your listing. There are thousands of items constantly being listed and shared on Poshmark, and people will be constantly scrolling through listings focusing on the photos, so it is recommended to have a nice photo.

Taking photos may seem a little intimidating however it doesn’t have to be! Here are some options you can do if you’re struggling to take photos:

– Use a solid/plain background with natural light and place your item on a hanger using a nail, or command strip.
– Use fairy-lights and place them behind or around your item. This will draw attention to your photo and therefore have people be more likely to click on your listing!
– Use faux green leaves. I’ve seen this on Poshmark and these photos always look lovely! It’s another great way to spice up your background and give your photos a signature look!
– Use a fluffy rug
You can place your photo on a rug and use the rug as your background! The most common I’ve seen on Poshmark that always looks great is a white fuzzy rug!

There are also other ways to take nice photos! The options are endless and you can definitely get creative during this process!

3. Decorate Your Photo with Other Items You’re also Selling in Your Closet
This is a great way to expand the amount of views your item gets! However do this for items that are relevant to the listing! For example, if you’re selling a top, you can also place a pair of jeans that is also up for sale in your closet and create a cute outfit for your photos! There have been times where I’ve seen people ask sellers in the comments if the other item featured in their photo is up for sale as well.

4. Write a Descriptive Paragraph of Your Item
There have been times where I’ve seen listings without any information at all in the description. Writing one or two words is not great if you want your items to sell. You should go into detail such as, if the items runs too big, too small, or true to size. You should also go into detail of the condition of the top, such as the number of times it has been worn, if there are any flaws such as tears, rips, stains, etc. Also include the measurements of your item in the description because it’ll help people determine if your item will fit them. These things will make it easier for the buyer to determine if they want to buy your item and it will also benefit your seller rating in the long-run!

5. Share Your Listings and Other User’s Listings
Sharing your listings is key to having visibility! If you aren’t sharing your items not many people will see it because other users will be listing new items and your listing will eventually go towards the end of the page. Not only should you share your own listings, but also sharing listings from other users helps you in the long-run because you will mostly get a share back and those shares from the other seller will be seen by that person’s followers and therefore help your chances of making a sale!

6. Send Offers and Participate in “Closet Clear Out” Events
Sending offers to people who liked your item helps because they will get a private offer and discounted shipping. Unfortunately you will lose a bit more of your profit due to lowering the price and paying $2.12 for the discount shipping that Poshmark requires you to offer. However, it can help you get a quick sale. But if you’re in no rush to make a sale, be alert of any “closet clear out” events.

“Closet Clear Out” are events that Poshmark hosts, and it lowers the shipping price for people you liked your item and new viewers to $4.99 shipping without making you pay the extra $2.12, you just have to lower down the original price by 10% and all your likers will be notified and your listing will automatically be shared as well!

7. Inspect Your Items to Avoid Low Ratings/Reviews
I recommend to inspect your item before shipping to make sure there are no flaws. If your description did not bring up any flaws, then it is very likely once your buyer receives their item, they will give you a low rating or bring the issue to Poshmark customer service and then have an investigation conducted to see if they qualify for a return. To avoid these situations, always inspect your items and be honest about any flaws your item may have.

8. Participate in Posh Parties
Posh parties are shopping events hosted virtually that are designed for any specific categories. There are all kinds of parties that include men, women, and children here’s a list to name a few!
– Best in Bags Posh Party
– Best in Makeup Posh Party
– Casual Cool Posh Party
– Everyday Chic Posh Party
– Everything Plus Size Party
– Everything Kids Posh Party
– Men’s Style Posh Party
– Trend Ready Posh Party
– Wardrobes Must-Haves Posh Party

There are more posh parties that aren’t listed and there are so many options to choose from!
Participating in these events lets you share your items if they meet the requirements for that particular category!

9. Become a Poshmark Ambassador
Poshmark has an ambassador program that helps you get more followers and increase your visibility. It is very simple and easy to qualify, plus it is available to all users! To get started, go to “My Posh Stats” and complete the steps:
– Have a minimum of 5,000 Community Shares
– Have a minimum of 5,000 Self-Shares
– Share 50 New Poshers
– Have a minimum of 50 available listings
– Complete a minimum of 15 sales
– Have an average Purchase Rating of more than 4.5 stars
– Have a short average ship time that is less than 3 days
– Write one Love Note to a seller you purchased from

10. Don’t Trade with Just Anyone
Trading isn’t encourage by Poshmark and I personally do not trade either, however this hasn’t stopped from other users from doing it. I don’t recommend to do it, however if you still want to make trades, always make sure the seller you are trading with is reliable and has reviews of previous trades from other people. It is very easy to get scammed on Poshmark if you trade because customer service will not refund you if this happens. It is important to inspect their profile. You should look at the year they joined Poshmark, the number of sales they made and again, don’t hesitate to ask for proof of previous trades.

11. Take Photos and Videos of You Packing Your Item
Unfortunately some buyers like to take advantage of Poshmark claiming that the seller sent them the wrong item or the item is not in good condition. As a seller it is important to have proof of you packing the item. I recommend to record yourself packing your item from start to finish and get a receipt from the post office when you drop your package if possible. This will ensure that you sent the right item and dropped your item at a USPS location.

12. Write Thank You Notes
Writing thank you notes is helpful to let the buyer know you are grateful for their business. Adding some stickers or free trial size products can also help boost your rating!

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Poshmark Tips for Buyers
If you aren’t looking into selling on Poshmark, and you’re only interested in making purchases, then here are some buyer tips!

1. Conduct Good Research
If you’re looking for a specific item don’t limit yourself to one seller because chances are there will be multiple people selling the same item for cheaper. So make sure that you’ve searched for it thoroughly because some people only look at recently shared items, however you may find a better deal on another seller’s closet who hasn’t been sharing their listings frequently compared to others. Use different keywords and filter your search using the “Low to High” option.

2. Make Offers
As buyers, we’re always looking for great deals and using the offer button is helpful if the price on an item you want is out of your budget. Most sellers on Poshmark love getting offers. However be aware of how much you want to offer, since Poshmark takes 20% off the seller’s sale, they may not be inclined to drop their price significantly low.

3. Ask Questions
Always be sure to ask for the condition of the item and any measurements if its not listed in the product description. This will help clear any complications you may have. For example, if you buy a pair of jeans and did not ask for the measurements, you will not be given a refund if they do not fit you.

4. Make Sure your Shipping Information is Correct
Keeping your shipping information up to date is important because there have been buyers who have entered their wrong info by mistake. So always make sure to double check to avoid any issues.

5. Don’t Hesitate to Reach out to Poshmark for help with a Seller
As a buyer you are insured your money back if the item you received is not in good condition or the wrong size, if the seller claimed something completely different on their listing.

For example, if the seller claims a shirt is a size medium and it turns out that the tag says XS, Poshmark will give you a refund. These are some of the exceptions Poshmark will make when it comes to returns. If you come across one of those particular situations don’t click on the blue “Accept” button because it will release the funds to the seller, and Poshmark will no longer be able to assist you with a refund.

I love using Poshmark, I think its a fun and safe way to buy and sell items! I hope some of these Poshmark tips help you on your buyer/seller journey!

What are some of your experiences with Poshmark? Do you love it? Do you hate it?
Let me know in the comments below!