The 8 Steps To Becoming Deadly At Selling On Depop

 

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In the last few years we’ve all woken up to the importance of sustainability – and in particular, slow fashion. Whether it’s re-wearing the clothes you already have, borrowing from friends instead of buying a brand new outfit, or popping into the thrift store instead of heading straight to the high street, there’s a number of ways you can reduce your impact on the environment through your clothing.

Enter Depop, the second-hand fashion app that can help you to clear out your wardrobe and make a few quid for it – all while doing your part for the Earth. Easy peasy. Read ahead for a straightforward guide to mastering the app. Happy selling!

1.Getting Set Up

 

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First things first – download the app, and set up your profile. When choosing your username, tread carefully, as it can’t be changed. If you don’t want the title of your shop to match your name, pick something that represents your style or what you’re selling. Getting rid of a bunch of jeans you never wear? Call it ‘Ditching Denim’. Just trying to clear out your old wardrobe? Try ‘Preloved and Perfect’ . You get the idea.

Your bio is next, and you should keep it short and sweet. You can include any info that may be relevant to your Depop shop, such as your size or the quality of clothing. If you’re open to meeting up to exchange clothes as opposed to posting them, you should add your location.

An example would be:

‘Anna, Dublin based, open to meet ups! Selling my preloved clothes & accessories, mostly size 12/14! DM with any questions!’

2.Taking a Good Picture

 

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Say cheese! Once you’ve downloaded the app and set up your profile, it’s time to gather whatever items of clothing you want to sell. Depop’s platform is similar to Instagram in that it’s largely image based, and when people are scrolling through their feed, they’ll be looking for pics that stick out.

Your photos don’t have to be worthy of America’s Next Top Model, just clear and decent quality so that potential buyers know what they’re getting. A scroll through the app will give you a good idea of how to present everything; whether it’s a jacket or a pair of shoes.

Some things to remember:

When taking a photo, make sure the lighting is good, and your background is tidy and bright. You can use a hanger to hold the item up, or lay it flat on a clean surface. If you want to model your clothes on yourself, you should set up your camera from a distance, using a windowsill or shelf to prop it up. You want the item you’re selling to be centre stage and look flattering – so that someone will want to buy it!

3. Describe Your Item

 

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When writing your description, be sure to mention if there are any flaws with the item, which should be visible in your photos. If you don’t disclose any issues with your clothes, your reviews will reflect that and your shop will suffer as a result. Be honest – you’ll be surprised how many people won’t mind. One woman’s trash is another woman’s treasure!

Other things you might include; how often you’ve worn it, how it fits, and how great it looks! Don’t be afraid to turn on the charm and hype up your own stuff – embrace your inner saleswoman.

At this point you’ll be assigning a price. Be fair and reasonable; don’t set your prices ridiculously high for something that isn’t really worth it, but don’t sell yourself short either. Take into account any wear and tear, the material, and how much you paid for it. It can help to search for similar items and see what they’re selling for. Don’t forget postage – you don’t want to set your prices too low and get stung at the post office when you make the sale!

4. Pick a Price

 

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At this point you’ll be assigning a price. Be fair and reasonable; don’t set your prices ridiculously high for something that isn’t really worth it, but don’t sell yourself short either. Take into account any wear and tear, the material, and how much you paid for it. It can help to search for similar items and see what they’re selling for. Don’t forget postage – you don’t want to set your prices too low and get stung at the post office when you make the sale!

Check the An Post website for help checking the price by the weight of your package.

5. Show Off Your Handiwork

 

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Depop doesn’t just have to be for your old clothes and accessories – you can set up a shop for homemade items and crafty bits too! Depoppers love unique, homemade items and there’s plenty of interest in anything you wouldn’t find in a regular store.

If you’ve secretly been harbouring a skill for clay earrings, or you’re known for gifting your besties an expertly knitted scarf every Christmas, why not use your shop to show off your talent and have your very own digital market stall.

6. Embrace the Algorithm

 

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The Depop shops that do the best are the ones that are active. Follow other Depop accounts, like and save items you’re interested in, and try to post on a regular-ish basis. Let’s say you have five items of clothing you want to sell – instead of posting them all at once, try putting one item up every two days. This way the app sees you as a consistent poster, and will boost your profile to viewers.

Don’t forget to leave a review if you purchase something too – sellers sometimes leave reviews for friendly buyers so you can promote your page that way as well!

7. Have a Sale

 

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Everybody loves a bargain, and Depop has a handy discount tool so that you can apply a sale to your shop if you’re trying to promote your items or are desperately looking to clear out your ‘drobe. Simply go into the shop settings on your profile, select the items you’re willing to discount, and slide the toggle to the percentage you’re taking off. Voila! Your items will appear in the feed with a little yellow sale tag and the amount they’ve been reduced by.

This is a great opportunity to share your sale on social media, which can be done by clicking the ‘share shop’ button and choosing four of your best images to create an enticing mini collage that can be posted on your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. Use hashtags like #depopseller and #depopshop to garner attention, and ask your friends to share it too, if you’re feeling brave.

8. Be Kind!

 

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This one might sound obvious, but being friendly and open plays a big role in how well your shop will do. Take the time to respond to any messages, and don’t be offended if someone tries to negotiate – the app is all about being thrifty. Buyers will appreciate someone who is respectful and helpful, and your reviews will mirror how you interact across the platform. Reputation is key. You’ve got this! Once you make your first sale, you’ll be flying it.

Words by Aoife CodyKane