Thirteen foolproof strategies for successful selling on Depop!

Hello lovelies!

I’ve been an avid fan of online marketplace depop for a while now. Being a seller there for over a year has taught me the little ins and outs of moving products. I’ve learnt some nifty tips and tricks that I hope to share with you today! Online selling is ridiculously easy once you get the hang of it. When I embarked on my minimalism journey back in 2018 I was left with boxes upon boxes of old clothes- it wasn’t necessarily that they didn’t fit or were heavily worn- despite being beautiful pieces they just didn’t reflect who I was anymore. Choosing clothing is much more than just dressing- adorning yourself is an act of self love.

 

 

Use hashtags

Just as you would with an Instagram post, hashtag!

Depop has a feature where you can tag the brand of the item you’re selling and it will automatically pop up in any searches people make. I find the system only recognises popular brands, but it’s a start. If you can’t make this work, hashtag the brand name and related key words below your product description.

 

Be open to negotiation

Let’s face it- we all go out of our way to try and nab a discount. In this way, your buyer is exactly the same!

I once came across a seller who stated in their profile they were open to negotiation. Selling clothes and other miscellaneous items doesn’t have to be serious business and often times isn’t. Be relaxed and casual. Remain open to new ideas. A way to put this idea into play would be to price items up slightly in case a potential buyer wants to bargain with you. It’s a win win situation either way- you might even make a few extra dollars!

People like other people who aren’t difficult to deal with and set in their ways. The key is to sell smart, whatever that might look like for you. For me personally, that’s being open to requests and honouring some I find reasonable and declining others. For example, in most cases, I won’t do trades.

 

Shoot content in good natural lighting.

This is an important point and one that any content creator knows well- You absolutely must shoot content in good lighting conditions. It’s a part of crafting images that look neat, professional and of a high standard. Good natural lighting shows off the finer details in your shots and provides clarity. Just think about instagram- where it was once a place to upload pictures snapped on a whim, this is no longer the case. The same rule applies for Depop. You want to be taken seriously, so show your work is worthy.

While I’m not a fan of harsh white light, I find it is the best to take the majority of your pictures under. For more moody shots however, warm light can work well. Whenever possible, utilise natural lighting. I’m fortunate enough to have big, beautiful windows in my bedroom which means that around mid afternoon I have plenty of sunlight filling my space.

 

Sell items for roughly half their retail price.

Depop is known for being somewhat of a bargain bin, especially if you’re looking to buy designer. Some sellers are known to buy products in bulk and have started stores selling entirely new items at great prices.

There have been times where I’ve felt I was practically throwing away items. This is why it’s crucial to remember that whether something was worn little or lots, its value has still dropped. A good rule of thumb if you’re selling secondhand is to price at about 50% of what you originally paid. You can take this up to 70-75% if the items you’re selling are new or in high demand. Remember, every dollar in your pocket is worth more than many dollars in unworn, packed away clothing.

 

 

Be honest about any and all faults with items you’re selling.

There is nothing people hate more than dishonesty. It will always prove to be a complete disservice to you if you are anything but fully transparent. Here we can insert the age old adage- “do unto others as you would want done unto yourself.”

Never was a truer word spoken! It’s important to check your items for any imperfections or signs of wear and state them clearly in your product description. Be fair and reflect this in your final price. Depop has a rating system that does not allow you or a buyer to edit or remove reviews- they are absolutely final. You want to aim to keep a five star rating, not have it lowered because you omitted information that might’ve otherwise deterred a buyer. If your item is overly damage or unfit to go to charity, try and upcycle it.

 

Get creative with your displays- do you have a mannequin or coat rack?

A couple of years back I owned a wire dress makers mannequin. Thinking back it would have been perfect to display tops and dresses on!

Nowadays I make use of door hooks, coat hangers and my bed to display items on, but there are endless ways in which you can get creative. Going that little bit further to explore your options is always worth it!

Best part of all is that this way of displaying clothing looks professional and allows you to get an entire shot of the item you’re selling, as well as all the different angles. This way the buyer can get a good idea of the fit.

 

Turn on post notifications so you can respond to messages and sales promptly.

Since turning my Depop post notifications on, I get back to buyers much quicker. People nowadays appreciate you being prompt more than ever. For one, It signifies that you are organised and have got it all together. Most importantly it shows that you respect their time and won’t keep them waiting.

Depop is not like a social media app you check regularly- sometimes I was only getting back to messages the next day. I see now that it probably didn’t help my cause!

 

Take a variety of shots depending on the item you’re selling- some will require a try on picture and with others you can use hangers.

Detailed dresses and tops as well as fitted clothing are often best displayed through a try on shot. Basics and no fuss practical items will only require a hanger, if that. Other than that, try on shots are more engaging to potential buyers. What we see has to look good for us to want to see more!

I understand that it can get tiring ironing out clothes and painstakingly trying each item on, but if you can manage it, it’s the way to go. I am not as diligent as I’d like to be with this!

 

Take styled flatlay content that showcase your pieces in an attractive way

Decorative flatlays are a particularly visually pleasing way to showcase your clothing or accessories. Chances are, if you’re a creator on instagram or other photo sharing platforms, you’re familiar with this style of photography. Do you have any pretty books or magazines? Dainty jewellery? Dried flowers? Those are a few of my favourite little add ons.

 

 

Add a personal touch- write out thank you notes to each order and consider giving a small discount to go towards future purchases

It is crucial you have something that sets you apart. Having an edge in a saturated market is the way to success. Think about the small businesses that send out handwritten notes, package orders in pretty paper and with decorative washi tape. I know I’m always impressed by the attention to detail. It’s a way to make the buyer feel appreciated and encourage them to come back.

 

Perfect your customer service- be friendly and approachable and handle unexpected hurdles with maturity.

This can be a struggle, I admit. My reviews mention my great customer service often. I  feel it comes easy to me and most people to be nice and treat others fairly, but sometimes you’ll come across a buyer who grates on your nerves. I once had a buyer request express shipping multiple times on an item that was heavily discounted. I had given her another discount on top of that and yet she had the nerve to try and pressure me into giving her what she wanted. I was decent to her as I understand the buyer just wants to grab a good deal. There is nothing wrong with this but it is never okay to encroach on someone’s boundaries or ignore them when they say no. I figured the best way to deal with this was just not reply as it was a question I’d already politely answered.

Another time I had a buyer who was worried their parcel wouldn’t arrive and had gotten lost in the mail. She was located in England while I’m based in Australia. This meant shipping would take a few weeks- two to three, tops. A week and a half passed and this buyer was getting antsy. I had to reassure her multiple times that postal services might experience delays on occasion, but are very proficient. Patience and understanding are key!

 

Set your depop shop up as you would an online store- create a memorable logo and an effective profile. Include information about you and what people can expect to see in your store.

This is something I try and apply to my Instagram account as well. When branding your social media accounts, you want to be instantly recognisable. If your pictures, graphics and logos are uniquely you, people will know them to be yours before they even see a username.

In your profile, you’ll want to introduce yourself in a short catchy sentence or two. Include clear contact and location information. Always detail your selling policies in order to avoid misunderstandings.

 

Tell a story about the item you’re trying to sell- give the potential buyer an idea of how they might wear or use it. Be descriptive!

This is what I make sure to do in all of my product descriptions. I’ll try and include a photo of me wearing a clothing item and craft a short narrative around it. I’ll share information about what season it’s suitable to wear in, how you can pair it in an outfit and more. The buyer wants to know all these things- instil in them the confidence that what you’re selling can work in with the clothing they’ve already got.