Marketing & Getting Clients

How to Get Clients for Your Depop Reselling Business

Getting clients for a Depop reselling business means finding people who want to sell their used clothing to you, or who want to buy curated items from your shop. Unlike traditional retail, your “clients” are sellers consigning inventory to you and buyers discovering your listings. The best approach combines direct outreach to potential consigners with strategies that drive consistent buyers to your Depop shop.

Your marketing effort should focus on two parallel tracks: acquiring inventory from sellers willing to work with you, and building an audience of repeat buyers. The good news is that one person can handle both simultaneously, and many of your first clients will come through personal networks and word of mouth rather than paid advertising.

Who Your Ideal Clients Are

Your ideal consignment sellers are people aged 25-50 who have closets full of quality clothing they no longer wear. They’re busy professionals, new parents, or people downsizing who value convenience over maximizing resale price. They may not have time to list items themselves on Depop or Poshmark, and they’d rather get 30-40% of the resale value than let clothes sit in their closet. Look for people in suburban areas with disposable income—they tend to own better-quality pieces worth reselling.

Your ideal buyers are primarily women aged 18-35 who shop secondhand for affordability, sustainability, or unique vintage finds. They actively use Depop, TikTok, and Instagram, and they’re willing to pay $15-80 per item for quality clothing. They follow resellers for consistent discovery, responsive customer service, and curated selections. Many will become repeat customers if you offer good communication, fast shipping, and accurate product descriptions.

Your Best Marketing Channels

Direct Outreach to Potential Consigners

Contact friends, family, and acquaintances directly with a simple offer: “I’m buying quality used clothing. Do you have items you’d like to sell?” Be specific about what you want—designer brands, specific clothing categories, quality levels. Create a simple one-page flyer or document you can share via text or email explaining your commission structure (typically 40-60% to the seller) and how the process works. This direct approach converts at 15-25% because you’re offering real convenience.

Facebook Marketplace and Local Buy/Sell Groups

Post regularly in local community groups offering to buy used clothing. Join Buy Nothing groups, local resale groups, and community pages where people already gather to buy and sell items. Post photos of the types of items you want, your price range, and your turnaround time. This channel works well because people in these groups are already in a selling mindset and appreciate local, quick transactions.

Instagram and TikTok Shop Presence

Your Depop shop integrates directly with Instagram and TikTok Shop if you set it up properly, but your personal Instagram and TikTok accounts are where you build an audience. Post 3-4 times per week showing new inventory hauls, styling tips with your items, before-and-after transformations, and behind-the-scenes content of your sourcing process. Consistent posting on TikTok can drive significant traffic—aim for 30-60 second videos showing trendy items, thrifting finds, or outfit ideas. This channel builds buyer loyalty and makes it easy for people to find and follow your shop.

Email List Building

Create a simple Google Form or Typeform asking for emails from people interested in new arrivals, special sizes, or specific clothing categories. Collect emails on your Instagram bio, in Depop messaging, and through local posts. Send a weekly email (Friday or Sunday work best) featuring new listings, curated outfits, and any special offers. Email converts better than social media for repeat purchases—expect 2-5% of your list to buy with each send.

Local Consignment Pop-Ups and Markets

Rent a booth at local craft fairs, farmers markets, or pop-up retail events for $25-75. Bring your best inventory and sell directly while meeting local buyers and potential consigners. This builds brand awareness, generates immediate revenue, and lets people handle items before buying. Many pop-up attendees will follow your Depop shop after meeting you in person.

Partnerships with Local Boutiques and Thrift Stores

Build relationships with local vintage shops, thrift stores, or small boutiques. Offer to consign items with them, set up a small display, or refer customers to each other. Some shop owners may even refer consigners to you if you’re reliable and professional. This creates a network effect where you become known in your local resale community.

Getting Your First 3 Clients

1. Text or call 20 people in your personal network offering to buy their used clothing. Include a specific ask: designer items, professional clothing, or vintage pieces. Close with a deadline: “I’m starting this week, so let me know by Friday if you have anything.” Expect 3-5 people to respond with inventory.
2. Post in 5-10 local Facebook groups and Buy Nothing communities with a clear offer. Use language like “Buying quality used clothing—designer brands, vintage pieces, professional wear. Fast payment, local pickup available.” Monitor comments and respond within 2 hours to build trust.
3. Create a simple Instagram account and TikTok account for your shop. Post 5 high-quality photos of your best inventory pieces with styling ideas. Use relevant hashtags (#depopreseller, #secondhandclothing, #sustainablefashion) and follow 50-100 accounts in your niche. You won’t get many followers immediately, but you’ll establish your presence.
4. List your first 30-50 items on Depop with detailed descriptions, accurate sizing, and clear photos. Price items 20-30% below market rate initially to drive sales velocity and build reviews. Fast shipping and responsive communication during your first month will earn positive feedback that attracts more buyers.
5. Set up a simple email signup link in your Depop bio and Instagram bio. Aim for 50 email addresses in your first month from people interested in new arrivals. Send your first email newsletter featuring 5-10 new pieces and your sourcing story.

Building Referrals and Word of Mouth

Word of mouth is your most reliable growth driver because resellers recommend each other to consigners and buyers tell friends about shops they like. Offer a $5-10 referral bonus to customers who refer friends who make purchases. For consigners, offer commission bumps (e.g., 50% instead of 45%) if they refer other sellers. Make referrals easy by including a unique link or code in your packaging and email signature.

The key to referrals is over-delivering on basics: respond to messages within 2 hours, ship within 48 hours, and handle returns gracefully. When customers feel taken care of, they mention you to friends organically. Create a simple “refer a friend” graphic you can post on Instagram and include in packaging. Many of your best consigners will come from referrals because they trust recommendations from people who’ve already worked with you.

Your Online Presence

Your Depop shop is your primary business location, so it needs to be clean and professional. Use a clear profile photo, write a 2-3 sentence bio that explains what you sell and your values (e.g., “Curated vintage and contemporary clothing. Sustainable fashion starts here”), and maintain consistent photos and descriptions. Respond to every message within 24 hours, even if it’s just to acknowledge you’ll follow up. Your shop’s reviews and responsiveness are your credibility—aim for 4.8+ stars by being honest about condition, sizing, and shipping times.

A simple website is optional but helpful. You can create a free one-page site on Wix or Carrd with your Depop shop link, Instagram, email signup, and a brief description of what you do. Include FAQs about consignment, shipping policies, and sizing. This gives you a professional landing page to share in emails and social posts, and it helps with search engine visibility if someone searches for “buy used clothing [your city].”

Social Media Strategy

Instagram and TikTok are where your buyers live. On Instagram, post 3-4 times per week showing individual items, outfit styling ideas, and behind-the-scenes content. Use relevant hashtags and follow 100+ accounts in your niche to build visibility. On TikTok, post 3-5 times per week with short, engaging videos of new arrivals, haul videos, styling tips, and sustainability messages. TikTok’s algorithm favors consistent posting over follower count, so even 500 followers can drive meaningful traffic if your content resonates.

Neither platform requires paid ads initially. Focus on organic growth through consistency, trending sounds, and authentic engagement. Reply to every comment, engage with other resellers’ content, and build genuine relationships in the community. Many of your most loyal customers will come from people who follow your account for months before buying.

Paid Advertising

Wait until you have 50+ items listed and a track record of positive reviews before spending on ads. When you’re ready, start with $10-20 per day on Instagram and TikTok ads targeting women aged 18-40 interested in fashion and sustainability. Test ads promoting your best-selling items or your overall shop. Expect a 5-10% conversion rate if your messaging is clear and your shop is optimized. Most successful Depop resellers spend $200-500 monthly on ads once they’re scaling, but your first 50+ customers should come primarily from organic effort.

Client Retention

• Send follow-up emails 1-2 weeks after purchase asking for feedback and offering a discount code for next purchase
• Post new inventory 2-3 times per week so followers have reasons to keep checking back
• Offer a 10% loyalty discount for repeat customers or those who sign up for your email list
• Create seasonal collections or themed drops (e.g., “Summer Essentials,” “Vintage Band Tees”) to give followers anticipated reasons to return
• Respond personally to every message and review—treat repeat customers like VIPs
• Use Depop’s messaging feature to tag regular customers when you get items you think they’ll like
• Bundle items at discounted rates for customers ordering multiple pieces at once

If you want to accelerate growth, check out the fastest ways to get your first 10 Depop reselling customers, explore the best marketing tools for your reselling business, and learn about local marketing strategies for reselling businesses.