I still remember the exact moment I decided to download the app. It was a rainy Tuesday in 2018, and I was staring at a "death pile" of clothes in the corner of my bedroom—items I had bought, worn once, and forgotten. I wasn't trying to build a business empire; I just wanted enough cash to pay off a credit card bill. I snapped a dark, blurry photo of a pair of scuffed Dr. Martens, wrote a two-sentence description, and hit "List."
To my absolute shock, they sold twenty minutes later for $65. That single notification changed the trajectory of my finances.
Since that day, I have sold over 3,000 items, navigated countless algorithm updates, and learned that the difference between a hobbyist and a power seller usually comes down to process, not luck.
Quick overview Learning how to sell on poshmark is less about having high-end fashion knowledge and more about consistency. By photographing items clearly, sharing your closet daily to trigger the algorithm, and pricing competitively, I turned a simple closet cleanout into a $2,500 monthly side income, though it took about three months of daily listing to really gain that traction.
Getting started: The mental shift
The biggest hurdle for most people learning how to start selling on poshmark is overthinking the initial setup. You do not need a professional studio. You do not need a fancy camera.
When I started, I used natural light from a window and a command hook on a white wall. That was it.
However, you do need to treat it like a shop, not a yard sale. The mental shift happens when you realize you aren't just getting rid of junk; you are merchandising products. I used to throw clothes on my bedspread (wrinkles and all) and wonder why no one bought them. Once I started steaming my items and hanging them against a plain background, my sell-through rate doubled within two weeks.
Mastering the listing: How to sell clothes on poshmark
Here is where it gets interesting regarding the algorithm. Poshmark is a visual search engine. If your cover photo isn't crisp, people scroll right past it.
When figuring out how to sell clothes on poshmark, I follow a strict 4-step listing formula:
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The Cover Shot: Bright, clear, entire item in frame. No collages.
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The Title: Brand + Style Name + Category + Size + Condition. (e.g., "Madewell Central Shirt Button Down Top Size Medium Flannel").
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The Description: I list measurements (Pit-to-Pit and Length) and fabric content.
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The Price: I price about 20% higher than my lowest acceptable price to leave room for offers.
I failed at this miserably in my first year. I listed a vintage wool sweater without including measurements. A buyer opened a return case claiming it "fit like a child's size." Because I hadn't provided measurements to prove otherwise, Poshmark sided with the buyer. I lost the sale and had to pay for return shipping. Now, I never list a top without a tape measure in hand.
The cost of doing business: How much does it cost to sell on poshmark?
This is the most common friction point. How much does it cost to sell on poshmark?
The platform takes a flat 20% commission on any sale over $15. For sales under $15, they take a flat fee of $2.95.
I know, 20% sounds steep. When I sold a Gucci bag for $400, seeing $80 vanish felt painful. But you have to consider what that fee buys you. It covers credit card processing, customer support, and most importantly, it simplifies shipping. Unlike other platforms where you have to weigh every ounce, Poshmark provides a flat-rate label for anything under 5 pounds.
In my opinion, for beginners, this trade-off is worth it. You don't have to worry about calculating shipping zones or buying a postage scale immediately. You just print the label and drop it off.
The social game: How to sell items on poshmark by sharing
Poshmark is unique because it is a social marketplace. You cannot just "set it and forget it" like you might on eBay.
To understand how to sell items on poshmark effectively, you have to embrace "The Share." Sharing your items pushes them to the top of the feed for your followers and specific parties.
In 2019, I ran an experiment. For one week, I didn't share my closet at all. My sales dropped to zero. The next week, I shared my entire closet three times a day. I made $450 that week.
The correlation is undeniable. Active sellers get rewarded. This is the most tedious part of the job, but it is non-negotiable if you want consistent daily sales.
Communication nuances: How to message seller on poshmark
The platform does not have a traditional Direct Message (DM) system, which confuses new users constantly.
People often search how to message seller on poshmark or how to contact a seller on poshmark because they want to negotiate privately. You can't really do that.
There are two ways to communicate:
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Public Comments: You comment directly on the listing. Everyone can see this.
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Bundle Comments: This is the closest thing to a DM. You add an item to a "Bundle" and then comment inside that bundle. This is semi-private (only visible if someone clicks into the bundle).
I once lost a sale because a buyer was commenting on the listing asking about pricing, and I missed the notification. By the time I replied, she had bought it from someone else. Now, I check my news feed every morning specifically for comments.
If you are a buyer looking to negotiate, do not ask "lowest?" in the public comments. It is considered rude. Instead, use the "Make an Offer" button or create a bundle to discuss price.
Sourcing inventory: How to sell things on poshmark that aren't yours
Eventually, you will run out of your own clothes. This is where you pivot to sourcing.
I started hitting local thrift stores on "dollar days." The goal is to find high-quality items (silk, linen, leather) for low prices.
I specifically look for "bread and butter" brands—Mall brands like J.Crew, Banana Republic, or specialized activewear like Lululemon. They aren't high fashion, but they sell consistently.
However, I have made mistakes here too. I once spent $100 on a lot of "designer" jeans from a liquidation site, thinking I had struck gold. When they arrived, they were all outdated styles from 2008 (super low rise, bedazzled pockets). I couldn't give them away. Learning how to sell things on poshmark means understanding current trends, not just brand names.
Strategies for speed: How to sell on poshmark fast
If you need cash quickly, your strategy needs to change. How to sell on poshmark fast usually involves aggressive pricing and the "Offer to Likers" feature.
When someone "likes" your item, I immediately send them an offer for 10-20% off with discounted shipping. This captures the buyer while their interest is high.
I also use a strategy called "Relisting." If an item hasn't sold in 60 days, I delete the listing and create a brand new one. This gives it a "Just In" boost in the algorithm. I have had items sit for months, relisted them, and sold them within hours.
Automation and tools
As I scaled up, manual sharing became impossible. I physically could not tap my phone screen thousands of times a day.
This is where automation comes in. I use Closo to automate sharing my closet and sending offers. It runs in the background while I sleep or work. I use Closo to automate sharing – saves me about 3 hours weekly. It also helps with cross-listing if you decide to expand to other platforms.
Other tools I rely on:
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A Ring Light: For consistent lighting on gloomy days.
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DYMO 4XL Printer: For printing thermal shipping labels (saves money on ink).
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Canva: For creating "Sale" signs or closet dividers.
Shipping logistics: How to sell something on poshmark and ship it
Shipping on Poshmark is deceptively simple, but you can still mess it up.
Once you learn how to sell something on poshmark, you need to ship it within 2-3 days. The platform tracks your "Average Ship Time." If you are slow, buyers are warned before they purchase.
I use the free Priority Mail boxes from USPS (specifically the "Shoe Box" and "Tyvek Envelope"). You can order these for free on the USPS website.
Note: You cannot use "Express" boxes. I made this mistake early on. I packed a jacket in a "Priority Mail Express" box. The post office returned it to me because the Poshmark label is for standard Priority Mail only. I had to repackage it and ship it again, delaying the order by three days.
Advancing your business
Once you master the basics of how to sell.on poshmark, you might want to look into wholesale or "NWT" (New With Tags) inventory. This requires more capital but offers higher margins.
If you are confused about condition terminology, it is vital to learn. Misrepresenting an item is the fastest way to get banned. You should read up on what NWT actually means to ensure you are grading your items correctly.
Additionally, to really scale, you need to understand how to find better inventory. Sourcing is an art form. Check out this guide on finding the best reselling vendors to move beyond just thrift stores.
Common question I see: How long does it take to sell on poshmark?
This varies wildly. I have had items sell in 5 minutes, and I have had items sit for 2 years.
Generally, trendy items (like current season Zara or Nike) sell within 1-2 weeks. Vintage or unique items might take 3-6 months to find the right buyer.
If you are wondering how to sell more on poshmark, the answer is volume. The more active listings you have, the more daily sales you will make. It is a numbers game. When I had 100 listings, I sold 1-2 items a week. When I hit 500 listings, I was selling 1-2 items a day.
People always ask me: Is it safe to sell luxury items?
Yes, but you have to be careful. For any sale over $500, Poshmark offers "Posh Authenticate." You ship the item to their HQ, they verify it, and then ship it to the buyer.
This protects you from a buyer claiming you sent a fake. I sold a vintage Chanel wallet this way. It added about 5 days to the process, but the peace of mind was worth it.
However, for items under $500, you are on your own. Photograph every serial number and date code clearly.
Conclusion
Learning how to sell on poshmark is a journey of trial and error. You will deal with lowballers. You will have a return case opened against you. You will probably regret selling that one sweater for too cheap.
But it is also one of the most accessible ways to start an online business with zero overhead. You can literally start today with the clothes on your back.
My advice? Start with 10 items. Commit to sharing them twice a day for a week. See what happens. You might just get addicted to that "Item Sold" notification just like I did.
FAQ
How to sell on poshmark for beginners without a printer? You don't actually need a printer at home to start. Poshmark sends you a QR code when you make a sale. You can take your package to the Post Office, show the clerk the QR code on your phone, and they will print the label and stick it on the box for you.
How to message a seller on poshmark privately? There is no true private messaging system. To have a semi-private conversation, add the item to a "Bundle." You can then comment inside the bundle. While these comments are still technically public if someone goes digging for them, they do not appear on the main listing page for everyone to see.
How to sell stuff on poshmark other than clothes? Poshmark has expanded significantly. You can now sell Home Goods (bedding, decor), Electronics, Pet items, and Beauty products (must be new and unused). The process is the same: take clear photos, select the correct category, and use the standard shipping label (up to 5lbs).
