What are Poshmark live shows? A seller’s guide to going live

Poshmark live shows are real-time video broadcasts where sellers showcase and sell inventory. 

For example, a vintage clothing seller might host a 30-minute live Posh Show demonstrating how 1980s blazers fit while answering viewer questions about sizing and fabric quality. 

Many sellers experience revenue increases after hosting shows. However, achieving success requires planning, practice, and some experience. Tools like Nifty can help simplify the planning and inventory management process for live shows.

This guide covers how Poshmark live shows work, key features, and how to plan for and host broadcasts that convert.

What are Poshmark live shows? The 30-second answer

Poshmark live shows are real-time video streams where sellers showcase their inventory directly to buyers on the platform. Sellers host these sessions to showcase clothing live, answer questions, and make sales on the spot.

Key features

Poshmark live shows’ key features include real-time chat, instant purchasing options, scheduling capabilities, and viewer notifications. Here’s why sellers host Poshmark live shows:

• Direct interaction with viewers: Sellers communicate directly with viewers through live comments and questions during broadcasts. This feature fosters personal connections between sellers and buyers, allowing them to address specific product inquiries instantly.

• Instant purchase capability: Buyers can purchase items immediately during a Poshmark live show. Buyers purchase immediately, so sellers catch impulse buys before buyers leave the stream. 

• Scheduled broadcasting: Sellers can schedule live shows in advance and notify followers about upcoming broadcasts to build anticipation and audience attendance. 

• Product showcasing tools: Sellers can demonstrate clothing fit, fabric texture, and styling options live, allowing them to address common online shopping concerns about item quality and appearance. 

Ultimately, sellers who host Poshmark can see increased engagement, higher conversion rates, and stronger customer relationships.

How do Poshmark live shows work?

Poshmark live shows work by letting sellers livestream their inventory directly to buyers through a simple broadcast system. Follow these steps when launching a live show:  

1. Complete the prerequisites: Before you can host a Poshmark show, you’ll need to make at least 1 sale and be active on Poshmark for 30 days. So if you’ve just signed up with Poshmark, it’s time to get your hustle on. Then, you’ll need to activate your profile as a Posh Show host. (Poshmark reviews applications and grants hosting privileges on a rolling basis.)

Note: Poshmark live shows are available by application only. Even sellers who meet all requirements must apply and wait for approval, as Poshmark controls access to maintain show quality and platform stability.

2. Schedule your Posh Show: Go to your account tab and select either “My Seller Tools,” then the bulk actions icon. Choose “My Posh Shows” and select “Create.” Add a title, start time, cover image, show type (live or silent), other relevant details, and up to 100 items.

3. When the time comes, start your show from the Poshmark app: At the scheduled time, choose “My Posh Shows,” tap your event, and select “Enter Show” to access the camera setup screen. Then, hit “Start Show” to begin streaming.

4. Feature and sell listings: Tap listings from your tray to showcase during your show. Use the “Start Buy Now” button to offer discounted show-only prices, or run an auction with a set price and duration. You can also turn on “Sudden Death” to end auctions without time extensions. Switch between items anytime.

5. End and review your show: Tap the “X” icon to end your show, but make sure no auction is active. After you exit, a summary report will automatically appear, showing total earnings, viewer count, sold listings, and buyer info.

How do sellers make money during live shows? 

Sellers make money during live shows through direct sales and bundle promotions. Posh Shows also increase exposure, which leads to more repeat purchases.

Viewers purchase items instantly during broadcasts using Poshmark's integrated checkout system. This creates immediate revenue for sellers. Sellers who host regular live shows experience increased traffic to their closets, resulting in sales both during and after broadcasts.

Do Poshmark show hosts get paid differently from regular sellers? 

No, Poshmark show hosts do not get paid differently from regular sellers. Hosts receive the same payment structure as regular sellers, with no additional compensation for hosting live broadcasts. 

Poshmark charges the same fees whether you sell through a livestream or a regular listing: A 20% commission on sales over $15 and a flat $2.95 fee on sales under $15. 

But if you’re wondering how to get more sales on Poshmark, hosting a live show helps you sell more by engaging followers directly. Live show hosts can earn money through direct sales during broadcasts by interacting with followers in real time.

Poshmark live shows vs. traditional listings: What’s the difference?

Poshmark shows differ from traditional listings because they offer real-time interaction and near-instant sales. Traditional listings provide static product displays that buyers browse independently. 

Live shows create urgency through limited-time demonstrations and direct seller-buyer communication. This interaction leads to higher engagement rates and faster sales than standard listings.

What I like and don’t like about Poshmark live shows

Poshmark live shows give me direct access to buyers while I stream. I appreciate how the format allows me to genuinely connect with my buyers, as if I were in a brick-and-mortar setting. 

But, as my viewership grows, managing the livestream while tracking attendees, offers, and comments gets difficult. And, not every show leads to sales. These are the pros and cons I ran into while going live.

What works

• Buyer interaction builds trust and drives sales: During live shows, I could answer specific questions about sizing, condition, and styling while demonstrating products directly to viewers.

• Increased visibility improves closet traffic: Poshmark promotes live shows prominently in buyer feeds, placing active broadcasts at the top of search results and home pages. I noticed an uptick in new followers to my closet, and some of my products crept up in search results rankings.

• Instant sales: During my Posh Shows, several viewers purchased items immediately during broadcasts without leaving the stream. Viewers often bought items back-to-back within seconds. 

• Bundle sales increase average order values: In a few shows, I demonstrated how items complemented each other. For instance, when I explained how designer leather belts complemented vintage 2010s jeans, I saw a spike in sales. Many viewers bought both items after seeing how they paired together.

Where Posh Shows fall short

• Time-intensive preparation: You’ll need to choose featured inventory, prep your space, and plan answers to common questions. I spend between 2 and 3 hours selecting inventory, planning content, arranging lighting, and preparing talking points.

• Poshmark live shows don’t guarantee attendance: My first few shows reaped a small audience. At times, it was just me broadcasting to a few people, resulting in no sales.
  
  
• Technical challenges and multitasking demands: Livestreaming involves simultaneously reading comments, answering questions, processing sales, and even haggling. Your VPN can interrupt your stream by switching IP addresses mid-show. Juggling these challenges can be difficult.  

• Limited scheduling flexibility restricts seller (and buyer) availability: I realized I needed to broadcast during peak viewing hours to attract the largest audience. Streaming at peak hours also cuts into my personal time.

Poshmark live shows allow me to connect with buyers, and overall, I've seen an increase in sales. But this increase in sales came at a cost of consistent preparation and developing multitasking skills. 

Should you use Poshmark live shows? My take

You should use Poshmark live shows if you have consistent inventory, strong communication skills, and enough time to prepare. Live shows work best for sellers who enjoy interacting with customers and can handle multitasking during broadcasts. 

The following signs will help you determine whether Poshmark live shows are a good fit for you:

Poshmark live shows are perfect for

• Established sellers with loyal followings: If you’ve built a substantial follower base, you’ll benefit most from live shows. Your followers already watch your activity, which makes them more likely to attend your shows.

• Full-time resellers with flexible schedules: Full-time sellers have the benefit of setting their own hours and can schedule live shows during peak viewing times without conflicting with other commitments.

• Fashion enthusiasts who are also extroverts: Sellers with strong fashion knowledge and a passion for discussing it excel at live shows. These sellers enjoy sharing their expertise and feel energized by real-time interaction with fashion-conscious buyers.

Avoid live shows if you

• Have limited time availability: Part-time sellers with demanding day jobs or family responsibilities struggle to maintain regular live show schedules during peak viewing hours. 

• Prefer systematic, scalable selling approaches: If you’re more focused on selling by mastering the algorithm through search engine optimization, avoid hosting live shows. These sellers prefer optimizing listings, using automated sharing tools, and managing inventory through bulk operations rather than individual customer interactions.

Recommended approaches to live selling that I wish I had known earlier

I recommend strategically planning each show about a week in advance. Doing this gives me time to prepare the items I want to feature, organize my inventory flow, and create talking points.

Follow these strategies to improve your next Poshmark live show:

1. Plan your show in advance: Write down key details about each item, including size, condition, styling suggestions, and pricing, at least one week before your show. This will help you provide accurate and interesting product information.

2. Practice pitching and engaging: Just like you prepared for that big speech in high school, you’ll need to practice describing your products beforehand.
   
   Pro tip: Record yourself during practice so you can review and improve your delivery.

3. Test your lighting and camera setup: Beginners should verify their broadcast quality by checking lighting, camera angles, and audio clarity before starting live shows. Importantly, test and confirm your internet connection before launching your Poshmark live show. Losing signal during a sale is the worst. 

4. Create a pre-show checklist: Write a checklist covering technical setup, inventory arrangement, lighting verification, and backup products before going live. This checklist helps you avoid missed steps that can derail your show.

5. Start small: Beginner sellers should limit initial live shows to manageable timeframes to build up resilience. I recommend a 15 to 20 minute limit for your first few shows, so you can feel out your approach and see what works.

Ultimately, proper preparation eliminates stress and technical difficulties that plague most beginner live sellers. When you’re prepared, you can focus on building relationships and closing sales. Master these basics to run consistent shows that generate regular sales.

My verdict on Poshmark live shows

Poshmark live shows work best as a supplementary sales strategy rather than a primary revenue source for most resellers. If you’re willing to put in the effort by preparing in advance, live shows can generate higher engagement, build stronger customer relationships, and increase revenue. 

But the live show format supports outgoing, full-time sellers. Live shows work best when you already have an audience and regular inventory to feature. Sellers who prefer systematic SEO-driven approaches, have limited availability, or struggle with multitasking won’t benefit.

The bottom line: Use live shows if you enjoy interacting with buyers and want to move inventory quickly. Focus on perfecting your traditional listing strategy first, then follow my tips to launch live shows once you have established a solid foundation.

Ready to get more out of your inventory?

Nifty simplifies inventory across multiple marketplaces so you can go live on Poshmark without errors. Here’s how Nifty makes life easier for live sellers:

• Expand beyond Poshmark: Crosslist and manage inventory across Poshmark, eBay, Etsy, Depop, and Mercari (more to come), all from one place.

• No more “sorry, it sold” moments: When something sells, Nifty automatically delists it from every other marketplace. You won’t risk double-selling during a live show again.

• Bulk edits, no burnout: Need to refresh old listings or add a discount before you go live? Relist, update, or schedule changes to dozens of items at once. Nifty runs it all in the background.

• Know what’s moving: Track which vintage pieces get attention during your shows and which ones flop. Nifty’s clean analytics dashboard gives you a complete view of profits, fees, and top-performing styles.

Start with a 7-day free trial and see how Nifty helps you track and sell more inventory across platforms.

FAQs

1. How much does Poshmark take from live shows?

Poshmark charges the same commission from live shows as from regular listings: 20% on sales over $15 and a flat fee of $2.95 on sales under $15. Live show hosts receive no additional compensation for broadcasting and pay identical fees whether items sell during streams or through traditional listings.

2. How do Poshmark live shows compare to live selling on Instagram or TikTok?

Poshmark live shows offer integrated purchasing and built-in audiences, while Instagram and TikTok require external payment processing and audience building. Poshmark offers instant checkout during broadcasts, whereas social platforms typically redirect viewers to external sites.

3. Do Poshmark show hosts get paid differently from regular sellers?

No, Poshmark show hosts receive identical payment structures as regular sellers with no additional compensation for hosting live broadcasts. All sellers pay a 20% commission on sales over $15 and a $2.95 flat fee on sales under $15. Live shows serve as marketing tools to increase sales volume, rather than separate revenue streams.