Issue 41: Open a side business and solve your storage space conundrum

While still being susceptible to shrinkflation in the wash!

It’s that time of year when you have to break out the ugly Christmas sweater for that upcoming holiday party. But wait. You open that drawer, which is stuffed fuller than a belly on Thanksgiving, and see not one but twice, thrice, frice (or whatever four is in poetry speak) the number of ugly Christmas sweaters. That lone knit duckling has gained siblings over the years from numerous gag gifts, white elephant stocking stuffers, and that one aunt in Albuquerque who doesn’t remember you’re older than seven.

What do you do? You can pull out the one and force the others back into confinement or now might be a good time to do some spring cleaning ahead of schedule. The cost of not doing so will surprise you. Better yet, why not turn that sweater into some extra cash to spend on gifts, to save for a rainy day, or to add to your tropical beach getaway fund for when January hits.

-John

Moving Forward 490: Getting started on Poshmark in 2024

I’ve talked quite a bit about Poshmark: on the podcast, in webinars, and interviews. I even wrote a book about it. So I’m not going to do a deep dive today into the specifics. You can check out any of those resources to get more of a step-by-step primer. Instead, I want to give an overview of why this is much easier than when I started back in 2018. A lots changed and you can really start with just two things: 1) extra clothes you’re not wearing, and 2) a smartphone.

To start

Do you have extra clothes in your closet and drawers? If the answer is yes, start here. Go through all of your clothes; I mean really go through them. I like Marie Kondo’s practice of dumping them all into a big pile on the floor first. You can learn more about that on my decluttering series. Sift through what you want to keep and what you can get rid of. A good rule of thumb is to ask “do I recognize this?” followed by “am I going to wear this ever again?” If the answer to both is no, it’s a good candidate to become inventory for your new business.

In case you need a greater justification, think of it this way. Anything you keep in your home that you’re not using or wearing is simply taking up space that could be used for something else. If you calculate the square footage those extra sweaters, shirts, pants, etc. take up, based on the rent or mortgage you pay, that’s the subsidized long-term storage cost.

Once you’ve set aside your inventory, be sure to inspect, clean, and do minor repairs to those garments.

Next, do you have a smartphone? If so, download the Poshmark app* and set up shop, which should only take a few minutes. Add a little more time if you want to brand it nicely. You can learn more about this on the Poshmark miniseries.

Shipping supplies

Once you have prepped your inventory, you’ll need boxes. If you stockpile old shipping boxes from Amazon and the like, those will be fine. Just remove or blot out any old labels and barcodes. You can also order free shipping supplies from USPS. Be sure to stick with priority mail boxes as you cannot use ones for express shipping. You can also pick up free shipping boxes from your local USPS.

Wait a minute, don’t you need a printer for shipping labels? In years past, this would have been a major barrier to getting started but not today. More on this later.

Two practices to stand out as a seller

I’ll keep this simple. There are two ways to stand out as a seller on Poshmark and pretty much any e-commerce platform. First, take good photos. Start by using a model or mannequin since clothes are 3-dimensional and photos of garments on hangers just don’t capture the imagination. Remember, a potential buyer is going to want to imagine how they’ll look in it and short of being able to try on the garment, the best way to fulfill that is to have good, robust images.

When it comes to photos, Poshmark gives you 16 plus one video. Use these. Be overly inclusive; include angles, closeups, and highlight any flaws or damage. You want to be as transparent as possible in your visuals and description.

Second, when you get an order, ship it out right away. Poshmark is a busy marketplace that is growing daily. You can stand out simply by being on top of your orders. Admittedly, this was tricky for those doing this a side hustle. However, two things have made this accessible and flexible. First, you no longer need to own or have access to a printer for labels. Second, you can go to a USPS location with 24-hour access and a self-service kiosk (search for those locations on USPS’s website). USPS self-service kiosks now allow you to scan shipping QR codes to print out shipping labels. Voila. No need for a printer at home, and no need to go during regular business hours. You can take your orders before or after work, on Sundays, and even holidays to ship out and confirm your packages.

That’s it when it comes to getting started with the bare bones. Obviously, there’s a lot more to Poshmark, including negotiating, sales, and marketing but the startup process is easier than ever. I encourage you to learn more through any number of resources available on Poshmark’s website. I also offer educational tips and resources in a variety of formats, which you can find here. So don’t get stuck with a bunch of old clothes that refuse to leave like extended family after the holidays. You can now declutter your home by turning clothing clutter into inventory for a new side business.

Catch this week’s episode on Spotify.

Moving Forward is also available on Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, iHeart, CastBox, Pocket Casts, Spotify for Podcasters (formerly Anchor), and Audible.

^{*Affiliate disclosure: these are links through which I earn a commission from qualifying referrals and / or purchases.}

Best practices

Poshmark beginner tips:

1. Safety 101: Only engage in the app. Messages or posts that ask you to transact outside of the platform or click on strange links are spam / scam. Report them using the 🚩.

2. Answer questions: Even if it’s the same one you’re asked for the umpteenth time. [Exception: see above.] You can also update your listing’s description with answers to frequently asked questions.

3. Double confirm: Once you ship out an order, confirm on the app and send a message to the buyer thanking them for their business.

4. Know your times: Full-price purchases have a three-hour window before you can ship and confirm. Purchases by negotiated price or claimed offers can be shipped out right away.

5. Take pre-ship photos: Take an extra set of photos before you ship in case you need evidence if there’s a perceived issue and a buyer decides to open a case on the app.

To learn more, check out my resources on Poshmark.

^{Note: This information is for educational purposes only. Sellers (and buyers) should exercise caution and common sense caution when engaging in any e-commerce activity or selling / buying on an e-commerce platform.}

Available now at my bookstore on Pangobooks

You’ve had pumpkin, now add a dash of cinnamon with the hit sequel.

Speaking of holiday parties

Get the perfect white elephant, secret Santa, holiday party stocking stuffer.

Quirky reads 📚

Speaking of good books, here are some titles I’ve been reading lately.

[Affiliate disclosure: these are affiliate links to Amazon through which I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.]

• My Heart Will Find You by Jude Deveraux (***).

• Sonny Boy by Al Pacino (not yet reviewed)

• Follow me on Goodreads for book recommendations and to see what else I’m reading.

Upcoming (January 16th, 2025)

Speaking of Poshmark, join me in January to learn Poshmark basics, hosted by The Acton Memorial Public Library.

One spot left!

Upcoming (January 28th, 2025)

Speaking of books, my next writing class starts January 2025.

Upcoming (March 25, 2025)

Speaking of decluttering, my next class starts March 2025.

Resources

Teach a man to fish, you know the rest (if you don’t, check these out).

• Book a coaching call with me on Clarity.

• Follow me on Goodreads for book recommendations.

• Check out one of my favorite daily newsletters Morning Brew (affiliate referral link).

Books

I wrote most of these so spruce up your home library and look smart in the process.

• The Poshmark Guide for Individuals and Small Businesses (Paperback, Kindle, Audible) 

• The Poshmark Guide for Individuals and Small Businesses (Apple audiobooks)

• The Poshmark Journal for Individuals and Small Businesses

• The Corporate Cliches Adult Coloring Book

• I Am a Professional Metalhead (audiobook) (Audible affiliate link) written by Angelo Spenillo, narrated by John Lim

Support the newsletter and podcast

“What are you selling?!?” -actual quote from a b-school classmate

• Books! Check out my used bookstore on Pangobooks.

• Try out Audible (affiliate paid link).

• Try out Amazon Prime (affiliate paid link)

Affiliate disclosure

Note: Links to Amazon and Audible products are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.