Thursday, December 29, 2016

Poshmark Follow Game Tips

Nearly everyone is searching for quick ways to gain followers on Poshmark. And though there are many various ways to gain followers, the most popular (and most fun) way I have found is by playing the famous Poshmark Follow Game. If you haven't heard of the Poshmark follow game, then you either aren't a member of Poshmark, are new to Poshmark, or live under a rock. Follow Games are all over Poshmark. In fact, they have become so popular that some poshers will use "Follow Game" as a tag in their description of their "for sale" listing. This can become extremely frustrating. You enter "Follow Game" in the search bar and an intelligent posher would think that the search list would produce post after post of nothing but "follow games". However, instead of follow game posts, the posher is bombarded with bikini clad angels. These are not Angels from Heaven, these are of the Victoria's Secret variety. URGH! Not fun!! (If this is you, well shame on you! If this is not you, please do not start. You will be considered an angel in my book even if you would rather wear a burka in the Bahamas. Those VS angels are gonna catch pneumonia one day!) Sorry for getting off track, but it's my blog and my rant... LOL

Follow games are a favorite of mine, so much so that I have developed a rather long tag list and send out 3-10 follow games a day to my tag list. Because of this, I have come up with a Follow Game Tip List or Step-By-Step Guide to a Successful follow game. If you follow the steps, you have much better chance of having a successful game and or playing a successful game. Please note that these are what I have discovered works best for me and my PFFs.

1) FIRST AND FOREMOST!!! BE CREATIVE!! DON'T BE A COPY CAT!! When you start a new follow game (FG), make it your own. This is your chance to toot your horn, show off your new Poshmark find, or post some fun family photos. This is where you can show off some of those great snaps of your kitty sleeping upside down or your dog with her tongue hanging out and jumping for joy (see my tag list for a pic of my sweet goof). It doesn't even have to have anything to do with "following" like the cute ducks following in a row or puppies running after each other, although those are cute. JUST BE CREATIVE! Show us who you are or what you like. Do a slide titled "bet you didn't know this" and tell us a few fun facts about yourself that make you special. Furthermore, those fun pics will get so much more exposure if they are tied to a follow game. So why not use it to your advantage! Give others a glimpse into who you are. A couple of the photo editing apps I use are PhotoDirector and PicsArt. PhotoDirector has a good user friendly photo adjustment for light and tone balance, but PicsArt has tons of fonts and sticker packs and many cool features. Have fun when you are creating your cover shot and remember that's what it's about fun! It doesn't have to be perfect. (IMPORTANT: Make sure to incorporate "Follow Game" on your cover shot where it is noticeable.) I see so many copy-cat FG's, that it just get's boring. I am not saying these don't work, but they certainly don't stand out when someone is browsing the main feed. So just try not to copy-cat.

2) Once your pictures are ready, then it's time to set up your post. IMPORTANT: Include Follow Game in your title. Make it clear what your intention is. Don't make us guess. If I have to guess, I will usually pass. I love to share FGs, so don't make me guess. Make sure to use a title and description that make it clear it is a follow game. Try not to use "follow me and I'll follow you" or "Share three of mine and I'll share three of yours". If you want to share or have your items shared, sign up for a share group. That's what they are for. Include some specific wording to make it easier for people like me to find you, such as "Follow Game, Like, Follow, Share, Repeat". Even when I do a good detailed search I still may not get the newest ones or all of them. So the title and description are important. Include all steps [(i.e.: 1) Like this Post 2) Follow everyone who has liked this post 3) Share to your followers 4) Come Back Often and Follow Those who Have liked after you.)]

3) Make your follow game a FOR SALE listing and price it abnormally high. I like to start out at $50,000 and lower by $50 two or three times a week. You want to be able to lower the price at least once a week but preferably 2-3 times a week.This keeps it moving and reminds others to come back and follow. THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. Failure to do this will kill your follow game faster than it took you to post it. Ever heard of the saying, "Out of Sight, Out of mind"? When your game is first posted, it's new and everyone wants to follow. However, after a week goes by without being shared, no one see it and suddenly your game is only a post at the bottom of your closet. When I share a follow game, I look to see when it was last updated. I pass over those that have not been updated or shown some activity by the posher within the past 30 days. If it is within 30 days but more than 7 days, I will share, but usually not unless the posher will agree to make the game active. I want my PFFs on my tag list to get the most they can. I don't want them to clog up their "like feed" with dead FGs. This is only fair. If you want your game to be complete, then you need to do all you can to make it fair for all who have played. You do that by reducing your price so that others are reminded to come back and follow. When you lower your price, think about updating your title to include something that will remind others to come back and follow [i.e: No Cheating! or Come Back & Follow or Don't Forget to Follow All New Likes", etc.]

4) Keep your active follow game at the top of your closet at all times. This gives it the most visibility and also makes you have to share it to keep it at the top of your page. The more you share it, the more exposure it gets. Furthermore, self-sharing helps move your game up to the top of a search when someone does a search for follow games. Share your game at least once a day, if not two or three times a day.

5) Find poshers like me who have long tag lists. Tag them on your follow game and ask them to share to their PFF tag list. Then immediately share multiple items (at least 10-20 items) from each of their closets. This shows you mean business and understand and appreciate the time it took to put together their tag lists and share on a regular basis. Once they have shared your follow game, don't just thank them in a comment, return the posh love by sharing even more of their items. Share bombs are appreciated and remembered. I can guarantee you most will return the favor and possibly browse your closet. They might just find something they like; and just like that, you have made a sell!

6) DON'T FORGET TO LIKE YOUR FOLLOW GAME!! My first follow game, I totally forgot to like my game. Thank goodness a lovely posher reminded me to like my game. Most people won't go back and check to make sure they are following the host by going to their closet page, so you could get overlooked if you forget to like your game.

7) Finally, if you are going to play follow games, play fair. Don't just like a game or play only those that are brand new and never return to follow the new likes. The game only works if we play fair and follow the rules. When you see a reminder come across your news feed to go back and follow, then go back and follow. Otherwise, you are doing yourself and everyone else a huge disfavor and defeating the true purpose of the game. This is not a game in which their is one winner and one loser. We are either ALL winners or ALL losers. Play by the rules and we are All WINNERS; don't play by the rules, and we all lose.

So there you go, a step-by-step guide to making your game the most successful it can be. If you have other suggestions to add on how to best utilize the follow games, please let me know by commenting below, or if you have a success story you wish to share, please share. I would love to read them!!

If you are not a member of Poshmark, and would like to sign up, you can either download the app on GooglePlay or through the Apple App store. Use code NUKKO when signing up to receive a $5.00 credit off your first purchase. Then get ready to be addicted!! Poshmark is a great selling format, but also a great way to connect with like minded individuals. Don't forget to stop by and visit me at www.poshmark.com/closet/shabbychic45. I look forward to seeing you!! Here's to next time...

Much Posh Love!! Michele' @shabbychic45

I would love to hear tips about what you feel works the best as respects follow games.

Sunday, November 13, 2016

First Things First - Poshmark

Hello Friends,

Thank you so much for following me on my Poshmark journey. So first things first. If you have not registered as a user with Poshmark, the first thing you need to do is REGISTER!! I promise you won't regret it! Start by downloading the app on your Apple or Android device or logon to www.poshmark.com. Use the code NUKKO when you register to get a $5.00 credit towards your first purchase. Once you have completed this most important step, come back and read this post. Although I am very new to Poshmark, there are some very important things that I recommend you do first before you post an item for sale or even buy anything.

Once you have successfully registered as a user, I recommend that you do the following before posting anything: First, become familiar with all of the FAQs. Read the Poshmark guidelines and find out what is "Posh Compliant" and what is not. Being "Posh Compliant" is very important and a must if you ever wish to reach the prestigious Suggested User status!! Do a search for Posh Rules, Photography Tips, Creative Cover Shots and check out @official_forum. Also search google for some of the same. You should come across some awesome blogs as well as YouTube videos by veteran poshers. Take notes, bookmark your pages or "like the post", so that you can easily reference it or share it with someone else. Finally, check out various closets, look at their cover shots, read their descriptions, then begin to formulate your own style. Although these are several "steps", I consider this as one big leap. This big step is critical in starting off on the right foot as your begin your own Poshmark Journey.

Start small. Look through your closet and pick out 5 to 10 items that are in style and are in good to excellent/like new or New With Tag (NWT) items that either don't fit, or just aren't your style anymore. "Vet" your items thoroughly. Look for stains, small tears, pulls, piling, etc. Some stains can be removed, if not and not noticeable, you can still list it, but make sure to include this in your description. Also, put it through the "Would I buy this?" Test. Think about the item as if it still fit and was still your style. If you saw this on someone else's closet, is it something you would buy? Has this item seen better days, or does it just need a little TLC and possibly a pressing. Is this a popular brand, a designer brand or in demand brand? If you did your homework in step one, you should have a decent idea of what these brands are. Those items that don't make the cut, bag them up and donate to good will if just out of style or not in demand. Otherwise, just toss them. Do not put them back in your closet. You want to make room for the new items you will be able to purchase with your posh money!! Hopefully, after going through this process you will have 3-8 viable Poshmarkable items.

Don't try to take on the world in a day. Doing your prep work and homework is just as important if not more than creative cover shots and detailed descriptions. By doing your research and laying the proper groundwork, you will be better equipped at deciding what to Posh and what not to Posh. If you just start posting things, you are going to end up with a cluttered Poshmark closet that nobody visits and a lot of missed sales opportunities. We all had to start somewhere and this is where I have found to be the best place to start.

Please stop by and visit my closet @shabbychic45. Follow my journey, give me feedback. Let me know what works or doesn't work for you. I welcome your tips and advice. Be looking for my next blog on creative cover shots including stock photos, flat lays and dress forms. I am still new to Poshmark and working towards Suggested User Status. I have been fortunate to have many mentors guide, advise, direct, and encourage at every phase of my journey. I hope to be able to Pay it Forward and help many new and veteran poshers as well.

Again, if you haven't signed up, please use code NUKKO to receive a $5.00 credit towards your first purchase. Until next time, Happy Poshing!!

Michele'

Thursday, September 29, 2016

Becoming a Posh Addict

OK, so you have set up your account with Poshmark. Now what? Well, that's up to you. Did you sign up to sell, to buy or both? I think that most of us join Poshmark to find a great item at a great price. If you are anything like me, you know what you like and what you don't, so you immediately start browsing the site looking for a great pair of Miss Me Jeans in just the right size, Nine West pumps that you have always wanted but didn't really want to spend the money to buy retail because they were a hot pink color and would only go with one or two outfits, or what about that Michael Kors Tote that you want, but don't have $250-$350 or more to get the one you wanted retail. That's why I initially became a Poshmark member. I have the proverbial "Champagne Taste with a Lite Beer Budget!!" It took some time to find these awesome deals, but if you are persistent and patient, you can find some truly fantastic deals. I got these awesome Miss Me Cropped Jeans in perfect condition for $25, these fantastic brand new Nine West Fuchsia pumps for $12 and I also snagged an EUC (Excellent Used Condition) Michael Kors Tote for $90!! But as I continued to peruse the site, I noticed that I had a treasure trove of items in my own house that were just sitting in our closets. Clothes that were still in excellent condition, but were too small, or didn't fit just right, or was never worn and still had tags because of an impulse buy or a gift that I never got around to returning. We all have those type of items in our home. So, I began to see dollar signs everywhere I looked. I first started going though my closet, then my husband's clothes, and then I was digging through my boys' closets and drawers. I started listing anything and everything. If I thought a shirt looked too small on one of my son's, I would wait until they took it off and then quickly confiscated it, washed it, pressed it, and then listed it on the app. I would fain ignorance when someone would inquire as to the whereabouts of a particular article. It did work for a while, that is until one day in my bliss and excitement (and stupidity), I began "showing off" my "creative cover shots" to my family. It didn't take long until they discovered that they hadn't misplaced their items, but rather, I had been secretly posting and "selling" their beloved American Eagle plaid shirt that "showed off their muscles just right". I finally convinced my youngest that when his hands turned blue because his sleeves were cutting off the circulation in his arms, it was time to go up a size (or two). Believe it or not, I was able to find some of the same exact same shirts that I had Poshed and was able to replace them using my Posh earnings! That's a win-win in my book! I was able to restock his wardrobe without waiting for National tax free day or back to school sales. Because everyday is National Tax Free Day or Back to School Sales on Poshmark. I still can't believe that I am able to replenish not only my closet, but my entire family's closet just by using the earnings in my Posh account. So I am now officially a Poshmark Addict! If you have not yet signed up for Poshmark. Download the app on your mobile device and register using the code NUKKO for $5 off your first purchase! Well what are you waiting on? It's time to start Poshing!!

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Beginning my Journey on Poshmark

Well, it has been well over two years since my last post, and I have to say that there have been a lot of changes as well. If you read my last post, I had just undergone surgery for a pain pump implant. The procedure for the most part was very successful! I no longer suffer at night or when I am sitting. Just some occasional pain when I walk or stand for any extended period of time. So yea! My middle son has graduated from Texas A&M Galveston with a Bachelor's in Marine Transportation and is a 3rd Mate, working his way to Captain, then hopefully on to becoming a Pilot in the Houston Ship Channel. My youngest son and youngest child has started his second year of college at Texas A&M College Station and is in the Honor's Math Program. He currently has a 4.0 GPA!! And I have been blessed with another precious grand-daughter!! We are quite "empty nesters", but we are getting pretty darn close. The two youngest boys still hang their hats in the hall (and leave their shoes, books, empty food containers, you get the picture), but one is away at school and the other, is getting close to landing a JOB and with any luck, he will eventually have his own place to hang his hat (and shoes, books, empty food containers and so on...). I love the peace and quiet, but I do miss the company. Finally, our world was rocked earlier this year in April when my husband (52 at the time) suffered multiple strokes. He has recovered well, but is still on disability until he can pass the cognitive assessment. He never lost any movement or suffered any paralysis. Prior to this my youngest had a bleeding ulcer and was placed in intensive care on Christmas Eve, while receiving a blood transfusion. He returned to the hospital in March with the same ulcer bleeding again. He seems to be doing better, but they still don't know what the cause it. The good news is that his platelet count and RBC numbers are back in the normal range and he is continuing to improve every day. So we praise our Almighty Father! God has been good and continues to bless me daily. We had just paid off all of our credit card debt in March, just prior to my husband's stroke. Thank God for great medical insurance through Chevron, his employer! But we still have an out-of-pocket total coinsurance that we are responsible as well as my son's medical bills. Furthermore, now that our middle son has graduated college, we have started the process of paying off the student loans. So if you are a woman and are like me, it's a little frustrating when all of your income is going out the door to pay off school loans and medical bills. I like to have a little to spend. I like new accessories and have just fallen in love with the Miss Me jeans, which are close to $100 a pair! For some of you that may not be much, but when you have never paid more than $30 for a pair of jeans, $100 is a fortune. My co-worker mentioned an online site called Poshmark. Her daughter sells her gently used clothes through their mobile app and has done surprisingly well. She is able to replenish her closet with new or gently used items from other Poshers. I was more interested at first with the great deals, I found on Poshmark. I bought several Pandora and Chamilia charms for my charm bracelet and 50% to 70% off retail, a month later, I had listed various items in my closet, sold a few things, and I was hooked. I was greeted by numerous veteran Poshers who helped me steer through the first couple of months and provided me with excellent advice. I also surfed the web for blogs (such as this one) to gather tips on cover shots, how to sell resale and how to be successful in the Poshmark environment. I am currently a top 10% seller, a top-rated (5 star) seller, a Posh Mentor, and received my first Host Pick a couple of weeks ago! My next goal is become a "Suggested User". I would love for you to follow me on my journey. I would love to provide you with helpful tips, ideas, cover shot techniques and share some great Poshmark Success Stories from various successful "Suggested Users" as I venture onward. If you have any suggestions that you would like to offer, please feel free to add them in the comments section. I am still new and welcome all of the advice I can get! If you have never experience Poshmark, sign up today using code NUKKO for a $5 credit towards your first purchase. Simply download the app on your mobile device, sign up using the code NUKKO, (or you can logon via your computer - you just can't list or edit any listings on your computer, it must be done though a mobile device - this is about making the experience as simple as possible) and log on! Then visit my closet @shabbychic45. I look forward to traveling with you! Michele' @shabbychic45 www.poshmark.com