I was bored during my freshman-year summer.
Looking back, there are countless hobbies I could have pursued or topics that I could have mastered. However, I don’t believe in yearning for a hypothetical past—I would rather acknowledge the good that did come from my boredom that season.
I’m most proud that I turned my love for clothing into a profitable venture.
I did so through Depop, an e-commerce platform designed for selling used clothing and goods. Starting out, I did not particularly know what I was doing. I wasn’t sure how shipping worked or what kind of items Depop users wanted to buy. Since then, I have picked up a few tips that have helped me and can hopefully help new sellers as well.
Having a Cohesive Aesthetic
I’ve redone the aesthetics of my shop many times. And honestly, for the greater part of my account’s lifespan, the term “aesthetic” is generous. My product photos were either extremely unattractive or clashed with one another.
I eventually learned the value of sticking with a certain format. For one, this has meant taking all my photos in the same way, on the same background. This doesn’t require a professional photo studio by any means—my quite elaborate and bougie background happens to be a hot pink Hello Kitty blanket.
In addition, on each post, the product descriptions follow a similar format. I list a name for the item first, followed by the necessary details about the item’s size or brand. Below, I clarify any flaws and correct possible misconceptions. (For example, I would mention if the item has never been worn before.) At the bottom, I tag important keywords for the item, which every seller should do regardless of how they structure their listings.
Remembering Customer Service & Communication
Knowing how to communicate like a mature adult—even if you’re a minor—is integral to success. Speaking from experience, nobody wants to buy something from a lousy, unresponsive salesperson.
After a customer purchases an item, it’s beneficial to message them to confirm you have received their purchase. (Considering many buyers don’t message before buying themselves, this is especially important.) Something short and sweet will do. I personally include a greeting, thank the customer, and let them know that their item will be shipped within the next few days.
When I package the item, I include a note as well. Throwing a garment in a polymailer and calling it a day is a tad unprofessional. Primarily, I like to thank them for their support of my small business. Including small doodles or stickers along with the words makes the package, in my opinion, more attractive as well.
Knowing What Not to Sell
I was optimistic when I started my Depop. Granted, I still am. However, I no longer believe that I can sell anything on the platform. There are some items that, frankly, nobody wants.
For example, people generally don’t want to buy clothing from four seasons ago, nor do they want micro-trendy pieces that are now considered “out of style.” Keep in mind that this advice is coming from me, someone who doesn’t believe in just wearing styles because they’re “trendy.” Objectively, items that aren’t widely considered stylish probably won’t sell.
In my experience, extremely basic items don’t perform well either. Jeans (that aren’t vintage) seem to fall short. Your customer could go to the mall or a thrift store and find thousands and thousands of recently made jeans. Why would they want yours?
Rather than wasting time listing undesirable items, just donate them to the thrift store. Focus on listing unique, generally stylish items.
Being a Depop seller is an accessible way to make some money on the side. If you have an interest in clothing, or even if you just have a closet overflowing with unworn garments, consider joining the platform. With a Depop account and a vision, you might just find yourself with a few extra hundred dollars in your bank account.
