How to sell on Whatnot in 6 steps: Expert guide
After hosting nearly 100 Whatnot live shows, I’ve learned that it pays off to show up consistently and promote. Discover how to sell on Whatnot successfully, plus a few of my tips.
What is Whatnot? The 30-second answer
Whatnot is a marketplace that offers a live-streaming platform where sellers broadcast live video shows to auction or sell collectibles, vintage items, and niche products in real time. Buyers interact through live chat, place bids as the show unfolds, and purchase instantly during the stream.
How selling on Whatnot works
Whatnot suits a variety of selling methods to reach collectors, folks looking for a deal, or just regular buyers. It offers 3 ways to make money:
- Live auctions: You host real-time shows, and buyers bid and push prices higher.
- Anytime auctions: List items and let buyers place private bids similar to selling on eBay. However, this option isn’t available for all categories (such as luxury bags) and is only available to iOS and Android users.
- Fixed-price listings: Post items with set prices that shoppers can purchase on a Buy It Now basis, similar to how most resale marketplaces operate.
Getting started on Whatnot
To sell on Whatnot, you’ll need to follow a few steps. Here’s everything you need to know, from opening an account to expecting your first payout:
Step 1: Create your seller account
Sign up on Whatnot's website or mobile app, then complete the verification process. Whatnot reviews most applications within 2 to 14 days, though approval times vary significantly by category and can range from hours to several weeks (especially during busy periods). Once approved, you can start building your seller profile.
Upload photos and descriptions to your storefront so buyers can browse and purchase anytime. This works well for overflow inventory or items that didn't sell during a broadcast.
Step 2: Schedule and promote your show
After your shop is up and running, go to Whatnot’s Seller Hub on your profile page to create a show. Set the date, time, category, format, thumbnail, and settings. Whatnot lets you edit show details or cancel your show if needed.
Once you’ve set your show’s details in stone, share the link to your store on social media, Discord groups, or email lists.
Step 3: Go live and showcase products
Start your broadcast from the Seller Hub. Display each item on camera while describing its condition, rarity, and value. Viewers comment and ask questions in real time. They also place bids or buy instantly at set prices.
While presenting, Whatnot lets you promote your shows with its Promote Tools, which you can access by pressing the “Promote” button on the right side of your show’s page. The platform offers the following 3 tool types:
- Promote Full Show: This feature steadily increases your live stream’s visibility on Whatnot with an hourly budget you set. Your show appears in premium feed positions, and you’re charged only for the actual promoted duration. You can use this feature before you launch your show.
- Boost: Give your show up to 15 minutes of heightened visibility, ideal for key moments or when promoting valuable items.
- Rally a Community Boost: Let past buyers contribute funds to boost your show’s visibility for up to 15 minutes. Only customers with purchase history can participate, helping you attract more viewers during live streams.
Step 4: Process sales during the stream
When someone wins a bid or clicks “Buy Now,” Whatnot automatically processes the payment and adds the item to their order. You can bundle multiple purchases from the same buyer to save on shipping.
After the show ends, print shipping labels directly from Whatnot's dashboard and pack orders within the platform's required timeframe to maintain your seller rating. Buyers usually pay for shipping.
If you want to offer discounts to U.S.-based buyers, Whatnot gives sellers the option to cover shipping. Buyers typically pay international shipping costs; however, sellers may choose to offer shipping discounts.
Step 5: Ship your items
Once your show ends and orders roll in, you have 2 business days to ship. Whatnot recommends 2 days, as it’s optimal for your shop’s ratings and it keeps buyers happy.
Whatnot generates prepaid USPS labels after each sale, so you don't need to visit the post office. Print the label from your dashboard and attach it securely to your package.
The tracking number syncs with the buyer's order page, so they know the delivery time.
Experienced sellers recommend following these best practices to avoid issues:
- Weigh items before shipping: Always weigh your packed items, update the weight on your profile before printing the labels. Incorrect weights trigger USPS adjustments that deduct money from your payout.
- Package items securely: Protect fragile items with bubble wrap, sturdy boxes, and filler.
Step 6: Understand fees and payouts
For sellers based in the U.S., Canada, or Australia, Whatnot takes 4–8% seller fees plus payment processing fees (roughly 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction) from every sale, depending on the category. For instance, if you sell trading cards for $100, you’ll net around $88.80 after fees. Note that fees are similar for EU and UK sellers.
Promote Tools, like Boost, carry additional charges, so review the fee breakdown in your dashboard after each broadcast.
Whatnot processes your earnings based on delivery confirmation and your location. For most U.S. and Canadian sellers, earnings appear in your Whatnot balance within 4 hours after the carrier confirms delivery. Once earnings are available in your balance, you can request a payout, which typically arrives in your bank account within 1–2 business days.
Sellers in the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, and Australia must wait 96 hours after the sale for payment settlement, plus delivery confirmation, before earnings begin processing. Early Payout program members receive earnings immediately after generating the shipping label.
If a buyer files a claim or requests a return, Whatnot may freeze those specific funds until the dispute resolves.
Seller tips that work
Don’t just rush into hosting Whatnot auctions, guns-a-blazing, and without a plan. Here are some tips that I’ve learned after hosting nearly 100 Whatnot auctions:
Tip #1: Start with small shows
If you’re aiming for an audience that can fill Madison Square Garden for your first show, you’re getting a little over your skis. Aim for small shows with 2–15 buyers so you can learn pacing, bidding flow, and chat management.
Hosting small shows lets you test formats, understand buyer behavior, and fix mistakes. As you improve, increasing your show size becomes easier.
Tip #2: Keep auctions short
Short auctions maintain energy and keep viewers’ attention focused. Over time, I’ve learned that a quicker rhythm encourages faster bidding and creates a sense of urgency among buyers.
Structured pacing also helps you get through more inventory productively. Viewers will appreciate it when you present a structure that’s to the point, making your show more watchable. If they’re more likely to watch your show, they’re more likely to buy items from you.
Tip #3: Promote your show
Promotion helps your stream appear in front of shoppers who are most likely to buy from you. Even a small budget can improve impressions and bring in new viewers who wouldn’t find you otherwise.
Investing in consistent promotion builds momentum over time. Use Promote Tools and aim to spend more in the beginning. If you reach more viewers through promotions, they increasingly engage your show, and you’ll likely grow your followers.
Tip #4: Avoid shipping mistakes
Incorrect weights, poor packaging, or rushed labeling can lead to damaged goods and unhappy buyers. These shipping mistakes are among the most common reasons sellers lose repeat customers.
Take your time weighing items accurately and packing them securely to prevent future headaches. Better shipping habits protect your profits, reduce claims, and help you maintain a strong reputation that keeps buyers coming back.
Is selling on Whatnot worth it?
Whatnot can be a great platform if you enjoy live-stream selling and want direct access to buyers. But it also demands consistency and lots of energy, so it isn’t the right fit for every seller. Here’s how to tell if it’s for you:
You should sell on Whatnot if …
- You enjoy live selling: Live-stream selling works best for sellers who like being on camera and interacting with buyers in real time. Viewers respond to energy, personality, and presence, which directly influence your sales.
- You want faster inventory turnover: Whatnot helps you move product quickly because bidding creates urgency and encourages buyers to make instant decisions. If you have a steady stream of sources, you’ll often see stronger momentum.
- You have an engaged audience: Already sold on another social selling platform like Poshmark or Mercari? Your existing followers can give you an immediate boost because fans will likely migrate to your shows.
Avoid Whatnot if …
- You dislike performing live: If being on camera stresses you out or drains your energy, running shows will feel like work you want to avoid. The platform rewards charisma, pacing, and real-time engagement.
- You can’t commit to consistency: Whatnot rewards sellers who stream regularly because repeat shows help you build trust, momentum, and buyer habits. Infrequent streaming can slow growth and make it harder for buyers to remember you.
- Your margins can’t support fees: The platform’s fees, shipping deductions, and promotional costs can add up quickly, especially for low-margin products. Fast sales don’t always equal high profits if your cost of goods is tight or unpredictable.
Selling on Whatnot works best for folks who feed off of live, high-energy environments and can keep a steady schedule. If your business model prefers slower, predictable sales or you want hands-off listings, you’ll likely be happier on another selling platform.
Increase sales with Nifty
Now that you know how to sell on Whatnot, you can consider selling on other social platforms like Poshmark and Depop to increase your buyer pool. If you plan on selling on Poshmark and Depop, use Nifty, a popular reselling tool, to manage your listings.
Here’s why over 10,000 sellers use Nifty:
- AI listing: Snap a pic and let Nifty’s AI build a boss-level listing with SEO-optimized titles and descriptions, trending hashtags, and every dropdown already filled out for you. It’s cloud-based, mobile-friendly, and easy to use.
- Crosslist now: With a couple of clicks, post your items across Poshmark, eBay, Mercari, Depop, and Etsy. No copy-paste, no multi-tab confusion; everything runs in the background. (More marketplaces coming soon!)
- Automatic delisting? Handled: When you make a sale, Nifty’s sales detection auto-delists that item from every marketplace. No more double-selling disasters or awkward “sorry, it already sold” messages.
- Bulk tools = no busywork: Share and relist daily without lifting a finger. Update or discount dozens of items at once. You can even schedule drafts to go live while you sleep.
- Analytics and profits: Track sales, fees, top performers, and slow movers in one clean dashboard so you can see what’s working and what needs to go.
So, what are you waiting for? Try a 7-day free trial and see how Nifty can help you sell more items.
FAQs
1. How do I get approved to sell on Whatnot?
To get approved to sell on Whatnot, sign up through the website or mobile app and submit your government ID for verification. Whatnot reviews most applications within 2 to 14 days, though approval can take longer during busy periods. Once approved, you can schedule shows, list items in your storefront, and start selling immediately without additional waiting periods.
2. Do I need followers to start selling?
No, you don't need followers to start selling on Whatnot, but having an existing audience helps attract viewers to your first shows. New sellers can gain visibility through proper category tagging, the new seller Sales Match bonus program, and sharing show links on social media, email lists, and reselling communities.
3. What are Whatnot’s shipping policies?
Whatnot's shipping policies require sellers to ship orders within 2 business days. The platform generates prepaid USPS labels, and tracking syncs with buyers' order pages. You must weigh items accurately before printing labels. Buyers typically pay shipping costs unless you offer free shipping promotions.
