What if you could make money and create a community at the same time?
That’s the opportunity that whatnot.com offers sellers. Through its unique live-selling concept, entrepreneurs stream about products for sale, connecting directly with their audience-slash-potential-buyers. Unlike on fixed, non-interactive platforms, like eBay, Etsy, or QVC, Whatnot buyers get to ask questions, watch live tutorials, bid on items, and make in-the-moment purchases.
Here, learn all about this popular live shopping and auction app and how you can become a new seller and host your first show.
How to become a verified Whatnot seller
So, how does selling on Whatnot work? Becoming an official seller is easy. You’re just a few steps away from streaming your first Whatnot show. Here’s how to start selling on Whatnot.
- Create a Whatnot account: Sign up on Whatnot.com or download the iOS or Android Whatnot app and create your account there.
- Apply through the Whatnot seller portal: Tap the +Sell button in the app, or visit whatnot.com/apply-to-sell, and fill out your basic information. Sign off on the community guidelines and wait for approval.
- Complete onboarding and approval: While waiting for approval, train yourself on using the platform with the Seller 101 tutorial. Study hard, because there’s a quiz at the end, which sellers need to pass before going live.
- Prepare your inventory and shipping setup: In preparation for your first live show, enter your payment information in the Financials or Payouts section of your Seller Hub. Then, set your Whatnot shipping settings, including estimated package weights. This is an important step because Whatnot provides pre-paid shipping labels that you print out when buyers make a purchase.
- Prepare for your first live show: Add product photos and descriptions to your inventory page, and practice for your first live show. This way, you’ll be an expert at using the platform before the real deal.
Tips for building your audience and brand on Whatnot
To become a successful Whatnot seller, you’ll need to build an audience. Here are a few pro tips on gaining a following.
Use social media to promote upcoming events
Already use social media? You’re already off to a great start for audience-building. Promote your Whatnot page and upcoming shows on your social media platforms, inviting your followers to join in on the fun.
Create themed streams
Create themed shows around items you’re selling, like vintage collectibles, sports cards, second-hand clothing, books, and so on. Design your announcements for social media and livestream background in line with the aesthetic of the theme.
Collaborate with other Whatnot sellers
Whatnot encourages seller collabs through “raiding” and co-hosted shows. Raiding is when, at the end of one of your shows, you send all your viewers to another user’s show in an act of support. Co-hosted shows are when two sellers team up in a single livestream, combining their reach by inviting both of their audiences to join in and bid.
Engage regularly in community chats
Whatnot has an official Discord community platform that allows you to chat with other sellers, share tips, and ask questions. You can also join other less formal Whatnot communities on social media apps, like Facebook. Participating in these groups helps you make connections with other sellers, and you can cross-promote one another’s pages or even co-host a Whatnot auction or sale together.
How to source products for your Whatnot store
Want to get started on Whatnot, but not sure what you would sell? A great approach is to stock up on trending items to sell in your streams.
WholesaleCentral is your ideal hub for finding affordable, bulk collectibles, apparel, accessories, and other popular resale items. This B2B site connects retailers of all sizes with reliable manufacturers, distributors, and dropshippers. Simply source contact information on the site, connect with the wholesaler, and start building an inventory.
How WholesaleCentral helps Whatnot Sellers scale
WholesaleCentral connects retailers with vetted suppliers of high-quality, trending products so that you can stock your Whatnot page with fast-selling items. On WholesaleCentral, you gain access to:
- Thousands of vetted suppliers across multiple categories: WholesaleCentral connects you with suppliers in countless categories, making it easy to source everything from accessories to trading cards in one place.
- Direct contact with distributors for bulk deals: WholesaleCentral transparently lists emails and phone numbers for suppliers offering affordable, tiered pricing on bulk items. Simply reach out to the distributor to learn more about their pricing perks.
- Fast access to trending products for resale: Find exactly the items you want today and enjoy fast shipping from reliable suppliers on WholesaleCentral.
FAQs
How do I become a verified seller on Whatnot?
Sign up for an account on Whatnot’s website or within their iOS or Android app, and add your basic personal and business information. Then, await approval from the Whatnot team, while you study up on how to use the platform and pass the seller quiz.
Do I need a business license to sell on Whatnot?
While you don’t need a business license to sell on Whatnot, you do have to provide your Social Security Number or EIN. And you have to uphold all the local, state, and federal laws for resale, including standard tax obligations.
What products sell best on Whatnot?
Sports cards, comic books, handbags, vintage items, Legos, and jewelry sell particularly well on Whatnot.
How can I grow my audience on Whatnot?
Use your existing social media profiles to promote your Whatnot inventory and livestreams, and connect with other sellers via the official Discord page or on Facebook and similar platforms. You can also engage audiences with giveaways during your livestreams, encouraging people to tune in to win an item.
Who pays for shipping on Whatnot?
Whatnot provides sellers with pre-paid shipping labels, and buyers typically cover shipping costs.
What are common mistakes new Whatnot sellers make?
Not promoting shows and having unattractive or confusing listings are two of the biggest mistakes sellers make. Invest time in spreading the word about your Whatnot presence in your virtual communities. Take great photos of items and craft thoughtful descriptions and themed shows.
What are the fees for selling on Whatnot?
The seller fees on Whatnot include an 8% and a 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing fee for each transaction.
Is selling on Whatnot worth it?
Yes! The trick is selling products trending with consumers and getting them at an affordable rate from a wholesaler so you can mark them up and make a profit.