Day in the Life of a Part-Time Online Seller

Thanks for sharing!

I’ve been selling online since 2015. At first, I started selling unwanted clothes on Poshmark and eBay and then added dropshipping business in 2017. Now, I’m selling items on eBay, Poshmark, and dropshipping.

Selling online gradually became one of my main supplemental income streams. This side hustle won’t make me a millionaire overnight, but it is super helpful to save some money for an emergency fund.

Here is my day in the life of a part-time online seller (:

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9 am

My day starts with a cup of Kirkland Signature Breakfast Blend Coffee. I use a Keurig K-Mini coffee maker. I really like K-cup because it only cost me $6 a month for everyday coffee.

Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker, Single Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer, 6 to 12 oz. Brew Sizes, Black

9:30 am

10 am

Start packing sold items!

For domestic shipping, I use USPS free shipping boxes. For international shipping, I use recycle boxes or buy new shipping boxes from Staples.

Shipping supplies are expensive! If you want to start selling online, considered smaller items that fit in envelopes. Shipping supplies are not only boxes, you’ll also need heavy-duty packaging tape and bubble wrap.

Shipping is a very important part of selling online. 75% of customer satisfaction comes from shipping conditions. If a parcel arrives damaged or arrives late, customers get mad really bad.

I always pick strong shipping supplies even though it’s little expensive.

11 am

Time to weigh the package.

USPS postage rates offer low-cost mailing and shipping prices for domestic & international customers. So, I use them a lot!

USPS shipping costs are calculated based on weight and distance traveled. I use a kitchen scale to weigh packages.

11:30 am

Sign in to eBay, Poshmark, and dropshipping accounts again! Print out shipping labels (type in weigh packages) so I don’t have to line up at the post office.

I also record sold items and shipping costs on Excel at this point. Yes, preparing for tax. “I’ll do it later” brings me large quantities of data entry at once. I record all the numbers frequently to prevent feeling overworked and overwhelmed. Small steps every day save me.

12:30 pm

It’s time to go USPS and drop off packages! I go post office pretty much every day.

I sometimes stop by TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or Nordstrom Rack for Bargain Hunt after USPS. One time, a $29 Tommy Hilfiger backpack at TJ Maxx was sold on eBay for $65. Some people said TJ Maxx, Marshalls, or Nordstrom Rack are too expensive for reselling. And I think so too. However, some brands and some categories of items are sold super good deals on these discount stores.

You just need field research.

1:30 pm

Snacking time! (I never ever skip snacking time) This is a whole wheat biscuit with cream cheese and strawberries (:

2 pm

Response email to customers. My eBay, Poshmark and dropshipping stores are small, but I still get 3-6 emails a day.

Where are my packages? What is the measurement of clothes? How long it will take to deliver the item? How is customs duty calculated? I wrote all the answers on the website but customers are still emailing me and ask questions.

3 pm

Product research for my dropshipping store, shoot item photos for eBay and Poshmark, create images for marketing.

5 pm

I’ll close the PC and start preparing for dinner.

Wrapping Up

That was my day in the life of a part-time online seller! Depend on my freelance project (full-time job) it changes a little bit, but mostly the same routine. Now, it’s your turn. What is your routine as a reseller, blogger, or freelancer?