How to Start a Depop

By Rosie Lu

I have absolutely nothing against donating–it fosters positive societal change and reinforces personal values–but sometimes I just feel the slightest bit more gratification when I can earn money while detoxing my living space. Goodbye to little old me, who aspired to start a small business on Etsy or eBay but instead gave up at the lengthy and complicated setup process, and good morning to streamlined, trendy resale platform Depop. Here is how you can make your first sale in a couple of weeks!

1. Sign up: Make an account (using an email address you actually check!) with a somewhat short and catchy username–it will save you a lot of time later.
2. Select your clothing: Keep in mind that obviously, pieces in better condition and trendier brands will sell quicker and for higher prices–though honestly, you can market almost any clothing item to fit into popular niches, which I’ll explain later.
3. Take a cover picture: Ensure you have optimal lighting and a pleasant background–a solid-colored floor or pretty floral sheet should do it–then proceed to shape your clothes to look Pinterest-worthy, even if they don’t already have a trendy vibe. Check Depop and social media for more inspiration, but here are some of my favorite techniques:
   1. The “Depop scrunch”: Push in the two sides of a top to add visual interest–it works like a charm, quite infamously.

2. Sweater/hoodie fold: Create a triangular shape in the body of the sweater. Make three pleats in the elbow of the sleeve and pull it into a C shape, and tuck the sleeve under the body.
3. Baggy pants fold: Using the technique previously used for sweater sleeves, make pleats in the knee of a pant leg and pull it out into a subtle C shape, potentially flattening out the leg opening to add a wide-legged look.

4. Take other pictures: Snap photos of the logo or label (if the brand is reputable), and show any imperfections to prevent customer complaints. Also, capture any unique or trendy features you want to showcase, such as special inner fabrics, zippers, pockets, and buttons. 
5. List/Description: Create a listing, upload your pictures, and type up a description. I like to begin with a general product name (e.g. “Urban Outfitters boho parachute pants” or “Hollister raglan long sleeve”), then list characteristics using bullet points under. I include the fabric composition, condition, fit, and any descriptions that might appeal to a Gen Z market. If your product is new with tags, make sure to mention that with the original price. Here is an example from one of my sold items:
   1. Urban Outfitters boho parachute pants

• NEW WITH TAGS (originally $59)
• Roomy, wide leg fit with ruched waist and ankles
• Vintage black acid wash, 100% cotton
• Drawstring waist and deep pockets
• Size XS but can fit S too, a little short on me (I’m 5’4”)

6. Hashtags: At the bottom of your description, use up to five hashtags to increase your reach. I usually use the brand name, the type of item, the style, the season, the pattern, the material, or the condition, depending on which qualities of the item are most appealing. (#y2k, #winter, #cotton, #nwt, #striped, #boho, etc.)
7. Info: If your item belongs to multiple categories, select the most popular one. The same goes for the brand. Condition-wise, “like new” is standard secondhand without flaws, while “excellent” might look worn down but have no obvious imperfections, and “good” and below typically have major flaws and discounts. 
8. Price: Set your price near the recommended value or slightly above. Sometimes, the estimation is extremely skewed, so use your best judgment and refer to similar listings.
9. Shipping: I cannot stress enough the importance of checking your shipping weight. Ensure your item isn’t overweight, or the extra charge will be deducted from your earnings. That being said, make sure not to overestimate the weight of your item, or else shoppers may be more reluctant to purchase.

Congratulations! Your first listing is on the market. Once you make your first sale, the next step is to package your item. Wash, iron, and lint roll your clothing if needed, and I prefer to wrap it in a plastic bag or tissue paper before placing it in a shipping vessel. A free option for newbies is reusing old bubble mailers or boxes–though keep in mind, the packaging counts in the item weight, and also make sure to peel off any old labels. I also like to include a handwritten note of thanks to the buyer, containing a request for them to leave a review, and signed off with my username. (This is why I mentioned earlier that a shorter username will save time). Reviews are extremely important for your first few months, as they boost your shop’s credibility. Now, just print out the shipping label,tape everything together, and take your package to a local post office to mail it. With prepaid shipping, all you will need to do is give the package to a worker, who will scan it and ship it out for you!

And with that, surely you can see how accessible and efficient reselling online can be. Alongside easy profit, Depop sellers also pick up numerous important life skills, including customer service, communication, marketing, and photography. I hope my experience will aid you in your selling and closet cleanout journey, and here’s to a fuller wallet and cleaner planet!