How To Sell Your Stuff Online With @madseventies
Whether you’ve got a pile of clothes destined for Depop or you’re thinking of launching your own online shop, it’s good to know how to sell stuff (really well) online. So we asked Mia Williams @madseventies, founder of premium vintage brand MadSeventies, to show us how she does it. After joining Depop to sell a coat back in 2016, Mia quickly gained a big following of vintage fashion fans through her unique styling and one of a kind vintage finds. Here she shows us how she shoots from her home studio, including tech advice, styling tips and her ultimate Dos & Don'ts for selling your stuff online.
I decided to make MadSeventies a business the day I bought tickets for my parents to visit me from South Africa - my mum had never been to London. I soon realised my impulsive decision had left me with no money for rent. That’s when I started selling my own archive, as well as buying bits and pieces from charity shops. My impulsive, sometimes irrational decision making gave me the confidence to take what I learned from selling on Depop, and launch my own brand. I now source premium 70s vintage worldwide, curate collections and shoot everything for MadSeventies online from my home studio!
*Moral of the story: Sometimes you need to end up in a sticky situation, to make you realise you are capable of so much more! *
I decided to make MadSeventies a business the day I bought tickets for my parents to visit me from South Africa - my mum had never been to London. I soon realised my impulsive decision had left me with no money for rent. That’s when I started selling my own archive, as well as buying bits and pieces from charity shops. My impulsive, sometimes irrational decision making gave me the confidence to take what I learned from selling on Depop, and launch my own brand. I now source premium 70s vintage worldwide, curate collections and shoot everything for MadSeventies online from my home studio!
*Moral of the story: Sometimes you need to end up in a sticky situation, to make you realise you are capable of so much more! *
1. Set up a shoot space and backdrop
You can set up a shoot space anywhere really! Use the corner of a room, studio, blank wall or garage even. Just consider the below factors when choosing your shoot space:
Natural light - a good source of natural light is important. It will help you take great pictures and show the true colours and details of the item for sale.
Space for full length shots - take test shots to check your frame allows space for multiple angles and poses
Power supply - you’re gonna need it for your shoot tech!
Backdrop - it’s really important to choose a neutral shade as some garments will clash against bright colours. Always remember that the item you’re selling has to be the star of the show.
I often use a tonal beige/brown shoot roll to create a backdrop, but when I started out, I used various materials - sheets, old fabrics, coloured papers. It creates that organic, natural feel if you get it right, just be careful that whatever you use doesn’t distract from the item you want to sell. If you have dedicated wall space, you can even use a pot of tester paint to create a blank backdrop for your future shoots.
You can set up a shoot space anywhere really! Use the corner of a room, studio, blank wall or garage even. Just consider the below factors when choosing your shoot space:
Natural light - a good source of natural light is important. It will help you take great pictures and show the true colours and details of the item for sale.
Space for full length shots - take test shots to check your frame allows space for multiple angles and poses
Power supply - you’re gonna need it for your shoot tech!
Backdrop - it’s really important to choose a neutral shade as some garments will clash against bright colours. Always remember that the item you’re selling has to be the star of the show.
I often use a tonal beige/brown shoot roll to create a backdrop, but when I started out, I used various materials - sheets, old fabrics, coloured papers. It creates that organic, natural feel if you get it right, just be careful that whatever you use doesn’t distract from the item you want to sell. If you have dedicated wall space, you can even use a pot of tester paint to create a blank backdrop for your future shoots.
2. Shoot tech
If you’re just looking to sell unwanted items now and again, your phone will capture everything just fine. If you’re looking to shoot content more regularly or build your own brand, I would recommend the following…
Find THE light:
Lighting can make or break a sale. The 2-Light LED Photo and Video Softbox Continuous Dimmable Lighting Kit creates the kind of perfect soft, flattering light you need for taking pics. It comes with two octagonal LED softboxes equipped with diffusion and light stands that extend for versatile, directional lighting. Make sure you take the time to play around and adjust the lighting by taking test shots before you start shooting. You want your photos to look clear and consistent, which is particularly important if you’re building a brand aesthetic or signature style for shooting your items. Avoid harsh lighting at all costs - it can wash you out and misrepresent the colours of the pieces you are trying to sell.
Hold my phone:
You will definitely need a proper tripod. When I started out, I used to balance my phone on books - you can imagine how frustrating and disastrous that was! A tripod phone stand will keep your camera straight and your frames consistent. You can easily adjust the height and angle, plus tripods are great for shooting video content if you feel like exploring that.
TIPS:
• Use a small piece of tape to mark the floor where you put your tripod, this will help you set-up next time and keep your shots consistent.
• Make sure you take full length, back, side and close-up detail shots. Potential buyers will want to see neckline, fastenings, logos, labels, design elements and of course, any damage.
• A clicker for self-timing so you don’t have to run back and forth to take a photo. Take loads and select the best later!
If you’re just looking to sell unwanted items now and again, your phone will capture everything just fine. If you’re looking to shoot content more regularly or build your own brand, I would recommend the following…
Find THE light:
Lighting can make or break a sale. The 2-Light LED Photo and Video Softbox Continuous Dimmable Lighting Kit creates the kind of perfect soft, flattering light you need for taking pics. It comes with two octagonal LED softboxes equipped with diffusion and light stands that extend for versatile, directional lighting. Make sure you take the time to play around and adjust the lighting by taking test shots before you start shooting. You want your photos to look clear and consistent, which is particularly important if you’re building a brand aesthetic or signature style for shooting your items. Avoid harsh lighting at all costs - it can wash you out and misrepresent the colours of the pieces you are trying to sell.
Hold my phone:
You will definitely need a proper tripod. When I started out, I used to balance my phone on books - you can imagine how frustrating and disastrous that was! A tripod phone stand will keep your camera straight and your frames consistent. You can easily adjust the height and angle, plus tripods are great for shooting video content if you feel like exploring that.
TIPS:
• Use a small piece of tape to mark the floor where you put your tripod, this will help you set-up next time and keep your shots consistent.
• Make sure you take full length, back, side and close-up detail shots. Potential buyers will want to see neckline, fastenings, logos, labels, design elements and of course, any damage.
• A clicker for self-timing so you don’t have to run back and forth to take a photo. Take loads and select the best later!
3. Styling
Styling is key. MadSeventies really took off when I decided to have fun with it. Pop a strange pose, play with it, be unique! People come to your platform to see what you’re doing, because they want to see what you’re going to do next. Don't be afraid to be yourself, be silly and have fun with it!
For me, the late 60s and 70s were such golden eras for fashion. Woodstock festival, colour, textures, patterns and SO much layering. However, as much as I’m inspired by the 70s, (and LOVE a crazy bold outfit) I try to strike a balance when styling pieces for MadSeventies. I want my collections to cater for everyone, not JUST die-hard fans of the 70s. I want my buyers to feel confident in their purchase - whether they are channeling a Woodstock moment or a more dressed-down, everyday look. Fashion is fun and for me as a vintage seller, it’s a special moment when I see customers styling their MadSeventies purchase in their own unique way. I want them to feel confident and totally fabulous!
TIPS:
Make sure the outfit clearly showcases the item you want to sell.
Strike an (odd) pose to get their attention. Think high fashion and unleash your inner model. Interesting angles and shapes will keep people coming back and browsing longer.
If you’re selling an expensive / niche garment, try styling the garment in two different ways to show versatility and attract more buyers.
Styling is key. MadSeventies really took off when I decided to have fun with it. Pop a strange pose, play with it, be unique! People come to your platform to see what you’re doing, because they want to see what you’re going to do next. Don't be afraid to be yourself, be silly and have fun with it!
For me, the late 60s and 70s were such golden eras for fashion. Woodstock festival, colour, textures, patterns and SO much layering. However, as much as I’m inspired by the 70s, (and LOVE a crazy bold outfit) I try to strike a balance when styling pieces for MadSeventies. I want my collections to cater for everyone, not JUST die-hard fans of the 70s. I want my buyers to feel confident in their purchase - whether they are channeling a Woodstock moment or a more dressed-down, everyday look. Fashion is fun and for me as a vintage seller, it’s a special moment when I see customers styling their MadSeventies purchase in their own unique way. I want them to feel confident and totally fabulous!
TIPS:
Make sure the outfit clearly showcases the item you want to sell.
Strike an (odd) pose to get their attention. Think high fashion and unleash your inner model. Interesting angles and shapes will keep people coming back and browsing longer.
If you’re selling an expensive / niche garment, try styling the garment in two different ways to show versatility and attract more buyers.
4. Dos & Don'ts
Dos
• Focus on quality over quantity
• Create an aesthetic for your brand and stick with it
• Have fun, believe in your brand and be confident
• Accessorise the garments you’re selling
• Be honest when adding descriptions, this will create trust between you and your buyer
• Good packaging, wrapped in tissue, with a thank you slip
Online shops:
• Have a good storage system in place; This will keep your stock safe and enable you to keep track on your stock levels.
• Use all your social platforms to promote and drive traffic to your shop.
• Repost images on your social media of buyers wearing their purchase.
• Have a marketing strategy in place - know who your audience are as well as competitors and set reasonable goals for your business.
• Good (recycled) packaging, wrapped in tissue, with a thank you slip.
• Collaborate with other small businesses when it works with what you are doing
Don'ts
• Use bad lighting - looks bad and affects the colour of garments Compare yourself to other brands, instead take inspiration from them.
• Use bright back drops as it will distract the buyer from the garment you are trying to sell.
• Only use hangers to sell your garments - this prevents the buyer from seeing the fit and movement of the garment.
Online shops:
• Take too long sending off your package - good customer service will lead to loyal buyers.
• Throw away your proof of postage - customers may require this Use plastic to package your garment - invest in recycled postal bags or boxes.
Dos
• Focus on quality over quantity
• Create an aesthetic for your brand and stick with it
• Have fun, believe in your brand and be confident
• Accessorise the garments you’re selling
• Be honest when adding descriptions, this will create trust between you and your buyer
• Good packaging, wrapped in tissue, with a thank you slip
Online shops:
• Have a good storage system in place; This will keep your stock safe and enable you to keep track on your stock levels.
• Use all your social platforms to promote and drive traffic to your shop.
• Repost images on your social media of buyers wearing their purchase.
• Have a marketing strategy in place - know who your audience are as well as competitors and set reasonable goals for your business.
• Good (recycled) packaging, wrapped in tissue, with a thank you slip.
• Collaborate with other small businesses when it works with what you are doing
Don'ts
• Use bad lighting - looks bad and affects the colour of garments Compare yourself to other brands, instead take inspiration from them.
• Use bright back drops as it will distract the buyer from the garment you are trying to sell.
• Only use hangers to sell your garments - this prevents the buyer from seeing the fit and movement of the garment.
Online shops:
• Take too long sending off your package - good customer service will lead to loyal buyers.
• Throw away your proof of postage - customers may require this Use plastic to package your garment - invest in recycled postal bags or boxes.