How to increase your sales: 7 expert marketing tips for resellers

Nearly every day, I hear from resellers trying to figure out how to get more sales. Maybe things have slowed down, or maybe you’re just ready to take things up a notch.

If that sounds like you, you’re in the right place.

I’ve been a marketing professional for over 20 years, and I’m also a vintage reseller. I chose vintage because I genuinely love showcasing the beauty of secondhand items—and because I believe in the sustainability of giving quality goods a second life.

Whether you sell vintage like me or any other kind of secondhand, handmade, or curated inventory, these tips will help you grow your audience and increase your sales—without losing the heart of your business.

And no—I’m not going to tell you to start a YouTube channel or become an influencer. These are practical, doable tips for getting more eyeballs on your inventory and turning views into sales.

Let’s jump in.

1. Use Facebook Marketplace to drive awareness

Don’t worry—this isn’t about spending money on Facebook ads.

Instead, I recommend using Facebook Marketplace as a discovery tool. Create a visually styled photo or vignette using some of your current inventory, and list it on Marketplace with your shop name and where you sell (e.g. Etsy, eBay, booth number, etc.) in the description.

If you’re an online seller, photograph the items in your home—make them look pretty, styled, and intentional. If you sell out of a booth or physical space, photograph your items right there in your setup. Not only does it showcase your eye for curation, but it also helps buyers recognize what your space looks like if they want to visit in person.

Sometimes Facebook will think the item isn’t really for sale and might flag it—so you might have to finesse the description and fill in pricing fields to make it seem local and legit. Just be sure to say something like, “These items and more are available in my Etsy shop” or “Available at Booth #121 at XYZ Antique Mall” so shoppers know where to find you.

2. Learn how to ship (yes, even if you're scared of it)

I know shipping can be intimidating—especially if you’ve been selling in-person only. But learning to ship opens up a whole new world of opportunity.

Think about it:

• A tourist falls in love with a piece in your booth but doesn’t want to lug it on a plane.
  
  
• Someone sees your post on Instagram and wants to buy the item—but they live out of state.
  
  
• A shopper is this close to buying but hesitates until you say, “I can ship that!”
  

In all of these cases, being able to offer shipping can close the sale.

Pro tip: I use Shippo to handle my shipping—it’s fast, affordable, and beginner-friendly. You can save up to 90% off retail rates and easily compare carrier options.

🎥 Want a quick walkthrough? Watch my Shippo tutorial here and see how easy it is to create labels, schedule pickups, and save time at the post office.

Make sure your customers know you ship:

• Add “Willing to ship! DM for a quote” in your Instagram bio
  
  
• Mention it in post captions anytime you showcase an item
  
  
• Put up a sign in your booth or store that says “We ship!” to remind in-person shoppers—it can turn browsers into buyers in seconds

And here’s something else to think about: Today’s shoppers care about how you ship—not just that you ship. According to Canada Post’s Conscious Consumer Report, 63% of consumers want to know about businesses’ sustainable practices—and that kind of transparency can help drive sales.

So if you’re making eco-conscious choices, talk about them. Highlight things like:

• The shipping carriers you use—Canada Post, for example, offers carbon-neutral shipping on ground shipments, has already delivered hundreds of millions of carbon-neutral packages, and is committed to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
  

• Recyclable or minimal packaging
  
  
• Shipping locally or consolidating shipments
  

Small steps make a big difference. And when you share those efforts in your bios, listings, and post captions, you give shoppers one more reason to support your business.

3. Crosslist smarter, not harder

If you’re selling on multiple platforms (like Etsy, eBay, and Poshmark), managing your listings manually can become a full-time job.

That’s where crosslisting tools come in. Tools like Vendoo, List Perfectly, and Crosslist make it easy to:

• List an item once and publish across platforms
  
  
• Automatically remove items from other sites when they sell
  
  
• Save hours each week while reaching more buyers
  

💡 Why it matters:
Keeping listings synced manually is time-consuming and error-prone. With a crosslisting tool, you reduce the chance of accidentally double-selling and save yourself a lot of back-and-forth.

Even if you’re a one-platform seller now, these tools make expansion much more manageable when you’re ready to grow.

4. Sell inventory bundles to fellow resellers

Got inventory that’s been sitting too long? Storage bins overflowing? It might be time to turn your excess into income.

Here’s how:

• Curate inventory bundles for resellers who need fresh stock but don’t have time to source
  
  
• Price based on your relationship, item value, or just a fair markup
  
  
• Offer video walk-throughs or photos so buyers can cherry-pick items
  

Be upfront about pricing:
Don’t say “just make me an offer.” Know what you want, or give people a ballpark price—otherwise it gets awkward fast, and you might lose the sale altogether.

Make it known:
If you're open to selling your overflow, say so on social media. I’ve had people offer to let me shop their garage or storage unit just because they knew I was looking.

5. Create a local shopping guide

This one’s for anyone with a physical retail presence—whether that’s a vintage booth, antique mall, or clothing boutique.

When customers shop in person, they often ask: "Where else should I go nearby?" But too often, the person working can’t give a helpful answer.

That’s a missed opportunity—for you and your community.

Here’s how to fix it:

• Make a simple list of other shops in your area—especially those with similar vibes (think thrifting, vintage, handmade, or independently owned)
  
  
• Include their names, hours, and maybe a quick note like “great for denim” or “best vintage lighting”
  
  
• Keep it behind the register or right by the door so your team or shoppers can reference it
  

Bonus points if you make a little handout! I’ve seen reselling communities create printed guides that folks can take with them while they shop. It’s smart, it’s thoughtful, and it keeps people in your area longer—which benefits everyone.

6. Use platform marketing tools

If you're on platforms like Etsy, eBay, or Poshmark, you likely have built-in marketing tools at your fingertips.

Examples to explore:

• On Etsy, enable the “send offers to interested shoppers” feature to close more cart abandonments
  
  
• On Poshmark, use sharing tools and bundle discounts to stay visible
  
  
• On any platform, promo codes and automated coupons can turn a “maybe” into a “yes”
  

Extra edge:
There are also third-party tools that plug into your store and help automate some of these tasks. If you’re trying to scale or free up your time, those are worth checking out.

7. Build real relationships in your reselling community

Networking isn’t just for corporate jobs. Some of my best opportunities—popups, collaborations, even antique mall spots—came from reseller friends who thought of me because we had a real connection.

Start small:

• Like and comment on other sellers' posts
  
  
• Share their content
  
  
• Attend local reseller meetups or join online communities
  

Low-pressure way to connect:
If you want to join a local live sale or popup, start by supporting the hosts. Then, when you reach out, they’ll already recognize your name—and know you’re a good fit.

The takeaway

If you're serious about growing your reselling business, you can’t just list your items and hope for the best. You need a plan.

From boosting visibility with Facebook Marketplace to unlocking shipping with tools like Shippo, these tips are designed to help you build momentum—whether you sell vintage treasures, handmade goods, or curated finds.

And hey, if you’ve got a favorite marketing tip of your own, drop it in the video comments. I’d love to hear what’s working for you.

Until next time—happy selling!