Time management

Education

Time management is a great skill to have when it comes to organising and planning your tasks as a Depop seller. There are often a variety of things on your seller to-do list, so it makes sense to prioritize each job in order of importance to help tick them off efficiently. For some people, this is easy to achieve. For others, it may be more of a struggle. So we’ve put together the following article for you to learn or improve on some time management skills and strategies. Put this advice to use and hopefully it’ll help you manage your time well throughout your seller journey with us. Read on to discover more…

Introducing Time Management

First things first, what is time management? It’s the process of organizing and controlling a number of different activities in order to get more done in less time. If this doesn’t sound like something you’d be able to do easily, that’s okay. It’s not a skill you have to be born with – you can learn how to manage your time more efficiently with some simple and effective techniques. As you can imagine, Depop sellers could have a few tasks to complete at any one time. From taking photos and writing descriptions for new listings, to getting back to an inquiry or shipping something to a buyer, there are all sorts of jobs that might need to be completed. And it’s important that you get them done in a specific order and a certain amount of time, particularly if there’s a buyer waiting. 

time management tips depop

Why is time management important

Developing your time management skills is important because ultimately it’ll help you to achieve more in less time. You’re also likely to have a better sense of control over the tasks at hand, as well as your ability to complete them quickly and to a good standard. But it will take a bit of effort to get there if you’re not already. This all pays off in the end though, as there are lots of benefits to having this skill. We’ve listed some of the advantages below that you might experience when managing your time more efficiently:

  • A boost in productivity, efficiency and confidence

  • Reduced levels of stress.

  • A better seller reputation.

  • Increased chances of advancement and success.

  • More opportunities to set and achieve clear goals

How to improve time management

We’re providing our sellers with a number of useful time management tools and strategies to help them become more productive and successful in the end. There are 5 main steps to follow and we’ve detailed them below. Use this information as guidance and you might become a better seller because of it.

  1. SET GOALS

Goal-setting is an important part of growing any business and it will help you take your Depop to the next level. Goals provide direction, motivation and a clear way to measure your progress. When planning your goals, remember to be realistic. Set goals that motivate you to do better, not ones that stress you out.

 

Example goal: List 15 items a week for the next 4 weeks.

 

  1. PLANNING IS KEY

Once your goals are set, figure out what steps you’ll take to achieve them. Then plan your time around those steps. Make a daily plan that revolves around working on small tasks to bring you to your end goal. You’ll start to build momentum and confidence in yourself and before you know it you will reach your overall goal.

 

For example

Monday

AM: Source 15 items

PM: Pack and ship sold items

 

Organisation is important for productivity, especially when it comes to time management for the self-employed. By having a routine I can plan my days off making sure everything that needs to be done is done. Having organized inventory also saves heaps of time. Mine is all stored in category-labeled boxes.

@ELLRICHIE, UK seller

 

Depop sellers all have different circumstances. So make sure your goals and your weekly plans are set around your personal circumstances. If Depop is a side hustle, try to dedicate a couple of evenings a week. If Depop is your full-time business, think more strategically when planning your goals and time.

 

I am a freelance copywriter and digital content creator, as well as a Depop seller. When I can, I try to plan my week ahead based on my freelancing workload and then put all the remaining free time during the week into my shop. So my days usually combine a bit of freelancing work, a bit of sourcing, a bit of photography and a bit of shipping.

@vintage_stories, Australian seller

 

  1. STREAMLINING

Standardizing and streamlining processes is essential to scaling your shop. Look at your current processes: is something you’re doing taking up unnecessary time? Getting organized can help you move processes along. Work in blocks and focus on one thing at a time. Always stick to your schedule.

 

  1. ELIMINATE DISTRACTIONS

Distractions are the enemy when it comes to keeping your focus. They can stop you from more productive tasks. To eliminate distractions and reduce procrastination, find a dedicated space for working. When you are in that space you know it's time to be productive. Stick to your weekly schedule. Try turning off notifications on social media.

 

Something that works well for me is to never let myself be distracted or start a new task until I am done with the current one. I try to begin with the tasks that I'm less keen about, then move on to the ones I am excited to do. It’s quite motivating to tick boxes on my to-do list and know that my day will just get more exciting as I go!

@vintage_stories, Australian seller

 

  1. TAKE A BREAK

Remember to take the time to look after yourself. Sometimes you can work endlessly and before you know it, you haven’t prioritized yourself. Take the time to appreciate that you’re self-employed, independent and have the freedom to manage your own time.

I worked for weeks without a proper day off because things were really disorganized and chaotic but I was so determined and passionate at the same time. BURNOUT IS REAL! Once I found my flow I found it easier to balance my work and personal life.

@ELLRICHIE, UK Seller



Time Management Strategy RECAP

Don’t be overwhelmed by what it takes to find success as a Depop seller. With a little thought and some careful planning, anyone can learn to manage their time effectively. Follow our advice and watch your shop reap the benefits.