First of all, Im jealous.
Second, you better check out Depop.
The secondhand fashion app is the perfect place to sell vintage finds and handmade goods at a profit.
Eric Jevsevar makes a full-time income from his apparel shop, Sauce Freely, on Depop. Photo courtesy of Eric Jevsevar
Heres how to make the most of this platform, courtesy of some of the apps top sellers.
What Is Depop?
Depop is a cross between Instagram and eBay.
Sellers post items, customers scroll through them, and when something catches their fancy voila, a sale!
Eric Jevsevar is a top seller who makes a full-time income from Depop.
Depop has more than just thrift store finds, though.
Plenty of people sell handmade crafts on Depop.
America Calloway started her shop,American Metal,when her modeling gigs dried up due to COVID-19.
Five months later, shes a verified seller making a full-time income from jewelry sales on the app.
No Interest Til Almost 2027?
She was like, I dont know why I didnt do this before.
It was so easy.
Heres what they told us.
Those are listings Depop staff have chosen to feature.
You should click through them to see examples of successful posts.
Certain things tend to do [better] than others at certain times.
Whats hot right now, other than baggy jeans?
Sweater vests,Y2K fashionand patchwork, for starters.
But trends change, so its best to pay attention and adjust inventory accordingly.
Learn the lingo.Depop, like other online communities, has its own language.
Heres a selected glossary.
Quality photos are key to succeeding on Depop.Depop gives users four photo slots for each item.
Using all four slots increases the chance of making a sale by 20%, according toDepops seller handbook.
According to Depop, this could increase the chance of making a sale by 60%.
Good product descriptions are also important.Use hashtags to show up in searches.
Dont make a run at cheat the system and tag popular brands on a random item.
It wont show up in searches or on the Explore page.
Beyond that, be clear, concise and accurate.
Honesty is always the best policy!
Once youve got your shop set up, its time to spread the word.
Start Networking
For any business, marketing is crucial, and running a successful Depop shop is no different.
If someone posted a pearl necklace, Id go … see who liked it, she said.
These customers are interested in pearl necklaces.
That helped her hit the 1,000-follower mark.
A regular customer is worth their weight in gold!
YouTube and Twitter are also good places to promote your Depop store.
It takes time to build up a following.
In the meantime, double-check youre staying in the green.
Consider the cost of your items.If youre curating thrifted finds, how much did you spend at Goodwill?
If youre selling handmade items, how much did you spend on materials?
And for any seller, time is money, so dont forget to include that in your accounting.
Youll also need to think about fees.Depop charges a 10% flat fee on each item.
Compared to other resale sites, like Poshmark and Etsy, thats a bargain, Calloway said.
Depop always takes less [in] fees than everyone else.
Depop also sells convenient shipping labels in-app.
They cost between $5 to $15, though youre free to use other shipping services.
The best way to confirm youre covering all of these hidden costs?
If Jevsevar could go back in time, hed tell himself one thing: Dont undersell myself.
For top sellers who make a full-time income from Depop, its a dream come true.
I have a whole jewelry room now and its been amazing, says Calloway.
I work for myself, and thats what I always wanted, says Jevsevar.
Not everyone can be a top seller, though.
The best way to find out if Depop is for you is simple: try it!
Just ensure you track your time and money along the way.
Ciara Ainsley McLaren is a contributor to The Penny Hoarder.
