How to Run Your First Whatnot Show: Complete Beginner's Guide

You've been watching Whatnot sellers go live, racking up sales, building communities, and having fun doing it. Now you want in. But where do you even start? How do you actually sell on Whatnot?

This guide walks you through every single step — from getting approved to shipping your first bundle. No fluff, no hype. Just the practical, step-by-step Whatnot beginner guide that we wish someone had given us.

What Is Whatnot and Why Should You Sell There?

Whatnot is a live-selling marketplace where sellers stream themselves showcasing products — think QVC meets Twitch. Buyers bid on auctions, buy fixed-price items, or grab deals from "mystery" lots, all in real time.

Here's why Whatnot is exploding in 2026:

• No listing fees. Unlike eBay's insertion fees, you pay nothing to list on Whatnot.
• Built-in audience. Whatnot pushes your show to buyers who follow your category — you don't need an existing following.
• Higher sell-through rates. The live auction format creates urgency. Items that sit for weeks on eBay sell in seconds on Whatnot.
• Community-driven. Buyers come back for the personality, not just the product. Repeat buyers are the norm, not the exception.
• Lower fees than competitors. Whatnot's seller fee is competitive — typically around 8% + payment processing. Compare that to eBay's 13.25% + fees.

Whether you're selling vintage clothing, Pokémon cards, sneakers, beauty products, or electronics, Whatnot gives you a stage and an audience. The question is: are you ready to perform?

Step 1: Getting Approved as a Whatnot Seller

Whatnot isn't an open marketplace. You need to apply and get approved before you can sell. Here's how:

The Application Process

1. Download the Whatnot app (iOS or Android) and create a buyer account first. Buy a few items to understand the platform.
2. Apply to sell at whatnot.com/seller or through the app's "Become a Seller" option.
3. Fill out your application. Whatnot asks about your selling experience, what categories you plan to sell in, and links to your existing selling profiles (eBay, Poshmark, etc.).
4. Wait for approval. This can take anywhere from 24 hours to 2 weeks. Categories with high demand (trading cards, sneakers) may get faster approvals.

Tips to Get Approved Faster

• Link your eBay/Poshmark store if you have one — it proves selling experience.
• Be specific about your niche. "I sell vintage band t-shirts from the 80s and 90s" is better than "I sell clothes."
• Show inventory photos. If the application allows it, showing you already have product ready signals seriousness.
• Start as a buyer. Having purchase history on Whatnot shows you understand the platform.

Step 2: Choosing Your Niche

The biggest mistake new sellers make is trying to sell everything. On Whatnot, niche sellers consistently outperform generalists. Here's why: the algorithm pushes your show to people who follow specific categories. If you sell vintage clothing, Whatnot shows you to vintage clothing buyers. Sell random stuff? The algorithm doesn't know who to show you to.

Top-performing niches on Whatnot in 2026:

• Trading cards — Pokémon, sports cards, MTG (the OG Whatnot category)
• Vintage clothing — Band tees, streetwear, denim, designer
• Sneakers — Nike, Jordan, New Balance, Yeezy
• Beauty & skincare — Overstock, limited editions, K-beauty
• Funko Pops & collectibles — Vaulted, chase figures, exclusives
• Electronics — Refurbished, vintage gaming, accessories
• Home goods — Thrifted decor, vintage kitchenware, candles

Pick something you know. Buyers can tell when a seller knows their product versus reading off a description. Your knowledge is your competitive advantage. For a deeper dive into what's trending, check our guide on 10 Whatnot niches blowing up in 2026.

Step 3: Sourcing Your Inventory

You need product to sell. For your first show, aim for 30–50 items minimum. Here's where to find them:

Sourcing Strategies by Budget

Source	Cost	Best For	Profit Margin
Your own closet/collection	Free	Getting started immediately	100% (already owned)
Thrift stores	$1–10/item	Vintage clothing, home goods	200–500%
Garage/estate sales	$0.50–5/item	Collectibles, vintage, electronics	300–1000%
Wholesale/liquidation	$500+ lots	Beauty, electronics, brand-name	100–300%
Retail arbitrage	Varies	Limited releases, clearance	50–200%

For your first show, start with what you already own plus a small thrift haul. You don't need to invest thousands before you've made your first sale. For more detail on sourcing, see our inventory sourcing guide and garage sale sourcing guide.

Step 4: Setting Up Your Streaming Space

You don't need a professional studio. You need a clean, well-lit space with a stable camera. Here's the minimum viable setup:

Budget Setup ($0–50)

• Phone on a tripod ($15 phone tripod from Amazon)
• Natural light or a desk lamp pointed at your display area
• Clean background — a solid wall or simple backdrop
• Small table for displaying items
• Wi-Fi — hardwire with ethernet if possible (use a USB-C ethernet adapter)

Pro Setup ($100–300)

• Ring light ($30–60) — eliminates shadows, makes items pop
• Second phone or webcam for detail shots
• Backdrop stand with solid-color fabric
• Wireless earbuds — so you can hear comments clearly
• Laptop nearby — for managing orders with BundleLive

Step 5: Scheduling Your First Show

Whatnot lets you schedule shows in advance, and you absolutely should. Scheduled shows appear on followers' calendars and get promoted by the algorithm.

When to Go Live

Based on data from thousands of Whatnot shows, the best times to go live are:

• Weekdays: 7–10 PM in your time zone (people are off work, browsing)
• Weekends: 11 AM – 2 PM or 7–10 PM
• Avoid: Early mornings (before 10 AM) and late nights (after 11 PM) for your first show

For a deeper analysis, read our best time to go live on Whatnot guide.

How to Schedule

1. Open the Whatnot app → tap the "+" button → "Schedule a Show"
2. Choose your category (this is critical — it determines who sees your show)
3. Write a compelling title: "🔥 Vintage Band Tees — $1 Auctions — First Show!" works better than "Selling some stuff"
4. Add a cover photo of your best items
5. Set the date and time
6. Share the link on social media, in Discord groups, and anywhere your audience hangs out

Step 6: Pricing Strategy for Beginners

Pricing is where most beginners overthink. Here's a simple framework:

For Auctions (Your Main Format)

• Start low. $1 starting bids create excitement and draw viewers in. Whatnot's algorithm favors shows with lots of bidding activity.
• Set a floor. If you can't afford to let an item go for $1, set a higher starting bid or use "Buy It Now" instead.
• Know your comps. Check eBay sold listings to understand market value. Price your starting bid at 30–50% below market to drive bidding.

For Fixed-Price Items

• Price 10–20% below eBay market value — buyers expect a deal on live platforms
• Use fixed price for high-value items where you can't risk low auction outcomes

For Mystery Lots / Bundles

• Great for moving mid-tier inventory
• Price at 2–3× your cost — buyers love the excitement of mystery
• Be honest about value range: "Every mystery lot contains $30–60 retail value"

For a complete pricing deep-dive, check our Whatnot pricing strategy guide.

Step 7: Going Live — What to Say and Do

This is the part that scares people most. Here's a framework that works even if you've never been on camera:

The First 5 Minutes

1. Introduce yourself. "Hey everyone! I'm [name], this is my first show. I sell [niche] and I've got [number] items lined up tonight."
2. Set expectations. "I'll be running auctions starting at $1, some buy-it-now deals, and a few mystery lots. Shows usually run about 90 minutes."
3. Acknowledge it's your first show. Whatnot audiences love supporting new sellers. Being honest builds instant rapport.
4. Start with a banger. Open with one of your best items at a $1 start to hook early viewers.

Throughout the Show

• Read the chat. Acknowledge every buyer by name. "Great win, Sarah!" makes Sarah come back next week.
• Describe items thoroughly. Condition, measurements, brand, any flaws. Transparency builds trust.
• Keep energy up. You don't have to be a hype-man, but monotone kills engagement. Be enthusiastic about your product.
• Pace yourself. Aim for one item every 2–3 minutes. Don't rush.
• Offer bundle discounts. "Anyone who wins 3+ items gets free combined shipping" drives multi-purchase behavior.

Step 8: Managing Sales During the Show

Here's where it gets chaotic. You're presenting items, reading chat, tracking winners, and trying to stay entertaining. This is the #1 reason sellers burn out after their first show.

The Manual Way (Not Recommended)

• Write down every winner's username and item on paper
• After the show, manually match buyers to items
• Pack everything individually
• Ship and hope you matched correctly

The Smart Way

Use a tool like BundleLive to automatically track every sale in real-time. It watches your Whatnot show, logs each buyer's wins, assigns bin numbers for packing, and generates pick-lists when you're ready to ship. Sellers using BundleLive report shipping 3× faster because they never have to guess which items belong to which buyer.

Even on your first show with 15 sales, the organization matters. By show #3 (when you're doing 50+ sales), you'll be drowning without a system.

Step 9: Post-Show — Shipping and Follow-Up

The show is over. Now the real work begins: getting orders out the door fast.

Ship Within 2 Days

Whatnot gives sellers 3 business days to ship, but top-rated sellers ship within 24–48 hours. Fast shipping = better reviews = more visibility = more sales. It's a virtuous cycle.

Shipping Workflow

1. Sort items by buyer. If you used BundleLive's bin system during the show, this step is already done.
2. Bundle multi-item orders. If a buyer won 4 items, combine them into one package (Whatnot auto-combines shipping).
3. Use appropriate packaging. Poly mailers for clothing, bubble mailers for small items, boxes for fragile goods.
4. Print labels through Whatnot. The app generates discounted shipping labels (usually USPS or UPS).
5. Drop off or schedule pickup. USPS does free package pickups — schedule one at usps.com.

For a detailed breakdown, read our guide to shipping 200+ orders per show.

Follow-Up Matters

• Thank buyers in the Whatnot chat after the show
• Include a small thank-you note in packages (optional but powerful for reviews)
• Schedule your next show within a week — consistency is key to building an audience

10 Common Beginner Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not testing your setup before going live. Do a practice stream. Check audio, lighting, and internet.
2. Starting too high. $1 auctions feel scary but they work. Trust the process.
3. Ignoring chat. If someone comments and you don't respond, they leave.
4. Shows that are too long. 60–90 minutes is ideal for your first show. 3-hour marathon shows cause burnout.
5. Bad lighting. Items look dingy in poor light. Invest $30 in a ring light.
6. No schedule. Random shows at random times build no audience. Pick a recurring day and time.
7. Slow shipping. Late packages = bad reviews = algorithm penalty. Ship fast.
8. Not knowing your product. If you can't answer basic questions about what you're selling, buyers lose confidence.
9. Copying other sellers exactly. Be inspired by others, but bring your own personality.
10. Giving up after one show. Your first show will be small. Your fifth will be better. Your tenth will surprise you. Consistency wins.

Tools That Make Your First Show Easier

You don't need tools for your first show — but they'll save you hours of post-show headaches:

Tool	What It Does	Cost
BundleLive	Real-time sale tracking, bin assignment, pick-lists, shipping management	Free trial
Whatnot App	Your streaming platform (required)	Free
eBay (for comps)	Check "Sold" listings for pricing research	Free
Pirate Ship	Discounted shipping labels (for non-Whatnot label orders)	Free
Google Sheets	Track inventory and costs (if not using BundleLive)	Free

For a complete rundown, see our Whatnot seller tools guide 2026.

Your First Show Checklist (Print This)

• ☐ Seller account approved
• ☐ 30–50 items sourced and priced
• ☐ Streaming space set up with good lighting
• ☐ Phone/camera on tripod, stable internet
• ☐ Show scheduled and shared on social media
• ☐ BundleLive set up for sale tracking (optional but recommended)
• ☐ Shipping supplies ready (mailers, tape, labels)
• ☐ Practice stream completed (test audio + video)
• ☐ Opening items selected (start with your best pieces)
• ☐ Deep breath taken — you've got this