How To Start An Instagram Shop Part 2

I started From Wells a few months ago after I starting shopping for clothes on instagram. My friend, Amy, introduced me to the whole world of instagram shopping right after I had Wells. It has been such an easy way to buy and sell clothes. You can find my first post here and my post about How To Send An Invoice Through Paypal. 


Finding shops and Building a following.
I first found out about instagram shops through my friend Amy. It was a whole new world. She advised me to look through her followers and shops she follows for a hunt for other shops. I searched and found boys shops since I want to buy/sell boys clothes. Once I found a few boys shops I liked, I combed through their follow list and found others. Soon I had a good list to follow myself. Following others usually helps you get followers yourself. Even now when I'm looking to up my followers I'll go find others to follow and use lots of likes on other peoples shops.

Share for shares.
Before my first sale, I posted a preview of items in my sale and asked for other shops to help me reach 300 followers. Once I reached 300 followers, I posted my first sale. During and after that sale, I kept getting new followers pushing me over to 400. I've asked for more follower each sale I've held. I usually ask to add 300 followers before I post another sale. This helps build your shop and it helps advertise the items in your sales post. It usually takes 1-3 weeks to get your post up if you are waiting for 300 followers. If I'm on instagram and asking for share for shares it goes faster, but sometimes I only make it on once or twice a week to push my sale.

Hashtags.
I do not like hashtags, typically. I find them to be very annoying when used for the wrong purpose. I do find them helpful within the shop and when used correctly. I have a few helpful filing systems under my hashtags including: #fromwellsarchives #shopfromwells #fromwellsshipping. Use hashtags to file items for your followers to easily search your shop for items available, polocies, and sold items.

Sold archives.
It's important to post sold archives for new followers to see what kind of items you have sold in the past. Before you delete all your pictures of your items that you sell make a post in your shop for your archives.

Tag list.
Create a post where you can have followers who wish to be tagged before your start a sale. I tend to tag from my tag list about 30 minutes prior to posting. Followers on your tag list are interested in your items and sizes.


I'll be back to share about shipping through Paypal which is so easy, cheaper, and all around better than shipping USPS. Thanks for reading.

How To Send An Invoice Through Paypal.

Last week I started sharing about How To Start An Instagram Shop. Today I'm going to help explain how to invoice through paypal.

How to Send An Invoice Through Paypall. 

STEP ONE: First login to your account. Click Request Money. Click Create an Invoice. 

STEP TWO: Fill invoice with information on sale. Include item name, price, shipping/handing/discounts (if applicable), and your terms (like no refunds or returns). Above this portion of the invoice is where you would fill in your customers email and invoice number (not shown). What I always do for myself is add additional information on sale in the MEMO. I use the MEMO to tell myself the customer's instagram name (a must because when I first started out I didn't remember who was purchasing), email, and any other information The memo is only for you to see in your statements. 

 STEP THREE: Review the invoice before sending.

It's pretty straight forward. Happy invoicing!

Instagram shopping is fun and easy. It's a great community of moms that are looking to outfit there little loves. I'll be back to share: Building a following, how to find shops, share for shares, hashtags, shipping through paypal, packaging, giveaways, sold archives, and invoice memos.  If you have questions about starting or maintaining an instagram shop, comment below.

How To Start An Instagram Shop

I started From Wells a few months ago after I starting shopping for clothes on instagram. My friend, Amy, introduced me to the whole world of instagram shopping right after I had Wells. It has been such an easy way to buy and sell clothes. I thought I'd give a brief overview of how to start your own shop with what I've learned.

Create An Account.
I created a new instagram account just for my buying and selling, From Wells. Write a brief description of your shop in your bio. Mine reads: Mama (@tohman) to Wells. First Paypal email wins. Kindly pay within 12 hours. Shop policies listed below. US only + Happy shopping!

Write A Bio.
Post a picture and tell a little bit about you and your family. It's a personal touch and I think it helps.

Shop Polocies.
Have a clear picture with clear policies.

Example of my policies: Leave paypal email to claim item. Questions are honored with email. Back-up emails are welcomes. Once item is claimed, pay within 12 hours. Please ask questions about shop policies below. Shipping two times a week (Tuesday and Saturday) Claimed items will be weighed and shipping rate will be added before invoiced. Check #fromwellsshipping for USPS first class postage rates. From Wells is not responsible for lost items and does not accept returns. Thank you for shopping our closet.

Shipping Rates.

Printing shipping labels as home is said to be the cheapest and easiest way. I haven't printed at home but I do weigh items in an order before invoicing. I add shipping to the invoice. *Be sure to weigh everything, item and packaging.* I price based about USPS weight prices. USPS charges $1.05 for tracking on an item. Tracking when printing shipping label on Paypal is free. Paypal also has cheaper shipping rates. I hope to start printing at home and shipping through Paypal soon. When I do, I'll post about how it works and any other useful information.

Feedback. 
Post a clear picture for customers to come and give you feedback. This will help as you gain a following and people can see other shops that have ordered through you.

Instagram Terminology.
When you are posting a item, most shops use terms to define the quality or wear on the piece being sold. Here is a list of terms:

EUC excellent used condition

NWT new with tags

NWOT new without tags

WNW washed never worn

GUC good used condition

RTTS runs true to size

RB runs big

ISO in search of

Items For Sale. 

Take a photo of your items in natural sun light and against a sold background. I lay items on a big white board when taking pictures. I'd avoid using a background with a pattern and that is busy. I write a info sheet about items that I can reference when posting a sale. Condition, brand, size, and price.

Picking items that you want to post for sale. There are items that are always wanted like leggings or trendy items. Items that are just okay don't sell as well. I buy from Zara Baby, Etsy shops, and H&M because I know I can resell these items. It makes shopping more affordable. Some people save items for their next child and I see the logic in that. My thought is, I can either save our clothes and buy the next sizes up out of my pocket now. Or I can sell our current clothes and buy next size with earnings. When I have my next child, I will have to start up our closet with out of pocket money.

I also struggle with selling items that people have given us but if we do not fit them or aren't using them than why not. I feel a little awkward about it. I'm very appreciative of gifts from my friends and family. I hope everyone understands that by selling an item we don't fit in, we buy one that we do.

Instagram shopping is fun and easy. It's a great community of moms that are looking to outfit there little loves. I'll be back to share Part 2: Building a following, how to find shops, share for shares, hashtags, shipping, packaging, paypal invoices, giveaways, sold archives, and invoice memos.  If you have questions about starting or maintaining an instagram shop, comment below.

Household items for sale

i've posted to craigslist & facebook a few household items that i'm trying to sell. i decided that i'd put a few things on here too. email me at t_varnado (at) hotmail (dot) com if your interested:

FOR SALE: West Elm Ikat Curtains

$75 per panel or $225 for all 4

55% linen, 45% cotton. 48"w x 108"l

FOR SALE: Echo Design Shower Curtain $25

email me if your interested or have questions. i love both items but don't have a place for them in the new place. i'm open to bartering. free shipping on orders.

i can't believe i walked in a store and halloween decorations were up. the summer flew. i'm actually excited about sweaters, boots, lattes, & basically all things fall. 

let me be honest. the last few months have been pretty hard. although overall I can step back & say they have been great. hard in a sense of situations that have been surprising, disappointing, or down right dirty. i find it very comforting that amidst some bumps in the road here and there that i'm still enjoying life, summer, & so on. little things keep a smile on my face like a dress i've been eyeing going on sale or your favorite song playing at the grocery store.

the little things that over time add up to making a trying time memorable. 

the SHOP

It's been while since I've updated items on my shop. Today I added three new items that are perfect for fall. Please feel free to email me if interested or any questions. I am open to bartering as well.

For more information check out the shop.

Interested? Email me- t_varnado (at) hotmail (dot) com

Edit: Blue cardigan is SOLD. Thanks!

SOLD: Perfect Cardi for Summer

 

Light weight embellished cardigan for sale:: $25

Size: M/L

Interested? Email me : t_varnado (at) hotmail (dot) com

EDIT: SOLD
Thanks!

Shop my closet:: Popsy - the Shop

Ok, so I have been working on a page to set up shop for Popsy again. In the fall, I had a big cartel and sold a few items. I ended up closing during the winter because most of my items weren't your weather wears. I will be posting new items every so often so keep on stopping by to see new updates. 

I am thinking of posting a few earrings that I make as well. (If I can ever finish them.) Here are a few items that have found new closet's to fill. I have a few things to fill in as far as sizing and labels. But, other than that my Popsy page is ready for some lookers. 

Shop Update: Popsy

In the fall, I launched my own 'shop my closet' shop POPSY. Although, I've sold a few things since I started. I decided to pull the site off and start selling things through my blog. I plan to set up a page where you can see a few things for sale and still using paypal as payment and standard shipping costs.

A few things that are still available.. ..will be putting a page up soon.

 if your interested in any of these three items email me at t_varnado ( at ) hotmail ( dot ) com

Popsy :: theSHOP

GRAND OPENING of my shop: Popsy

My very own online consignment shop.

The site is 100% functional. Although I'm continuing to add information and clothes.

Shoe's and accessories are coming soon.

Head over to the shop and look around. Feel free to ask questions.

And please let me know what you think.

Sneak Peak: inside Popsy

It's coming. 

This past weekend I organized and set up shop.

Popsy is around the corner from it's official day-view.

My wonderful friend Jessica and I played dress up as she modeled all my closet finds.

Here is a Sneak peak:

 

My goal is to have the site up by next week.
My parents will be arriving tomorrow and I'm looking forward to it.
Happy Monday!!

[ Popsy ] coming soon...

After months of a draught, now its pouring. I've attempted to sit down and blog several times. It just hasn't happened. While many tasks have kept me occupied, I've had progress in a few areas. One being attacking my closet. Upon moving into the city, I knew closet space was going to be a struggle. 


Prior to moving I donated, sold, and gave away bags of clothes and 'junk'. Now, I'm at that point again. I have several great pieces that I love but never wear. I'm happy to announce that I'll be opening up a online shop, Popsy, where you will be able to look through my closet and purchase some of my favorite looks for a low cost.


The launch of Popsy will be in November.