How to Sell on Whatnot in 2025: The Complete Beginner’s Guide

How to Sell on Whatnot in 2025: The Complete Beginner’s Guide

Live selling is booming in 2025, and one platform is leading the charge: Whatnot.

If you’ve ever wished you could sell products faster, more interactively, and with a loyal audience that keeps coming back, Whatnot might be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

  • What Whatnot is and how it works

  • How to set up your seller account

  • What to sell on Whatnot

  • How to run a profitable live show

  • How to scale your Whatnot business from a side hustle to a full-time income

Whether you’re a total beginner or an experienced reseller, this step-by-step approach will help you start selling on Whatnot the right way.

What is Whatnot?

Whatnot is a live-stream auction platform where sellers host real-time shows to sell products directly to buyers.

Think of it as Twitch meets eBay — you go live, showcase products, and viewers bid or buy instantly.

It’s especially popular in:

  • Collectibles (trading cards, Funko Pops, comics)

  • Sneakers & streetwear

  • Vintage clothing

  • Toys & games

  • Liquidation and wholesale lots

Step 1: Apply to Become a Seller

Unlike some marketplaces, Whatnot doesn’t allow just anyone to sell instantly — you have to apply and be approved.

Application process:

  1. Go to whatnot.com and click Apply to Sell.

  2. Fill out the application form with:

    • Product category

    • Selling experience

    • Social media or marketplace links (Poshmark, eBay, Mercari, etc.)

  3. Upload identification for verification.

  4. Wait for review (usually 1–2 weeks, but can be longer if demand is high).

💡 Tip: If you’re new to reselling, show proof of sales from other platforms or a social media presence in your niche to boost your chances.

Step 2: Set Up Your Seller Profile

Once approved, your next step is to make your profile appealing:

  • Profile photo & banner – Choose branding that’s clear and professional.

  • Bio – Briefly explain what you sell and your show style (fun, informative, deals).

  • Shipping settings – Whatnot handles most shipping labels, but you can set specific rules for bulky items.

Step 3: Choose Your Inventory

The key to success on Whatnot is selling products that work well in live auction format.

Best-selling categories:

  1. Collectibles – Trading cards, Pokémon, Funko Pops

  2. Sneakers & Streetwear – Jordans, Yeezys, Supreme drops

  3. Vintage Clothing – 90s tees, band shirts, denim

  4. Toys & Games – Lego sets, action figures, board games

  5. Liquidation Lots – Overstock, shelf pulls, wholesale bundles

💡 Tip: Start with 20–50 items for your first show to keep the pace exciting.

Step 4: Plan Your First Live Show

A successful Whatnot live show is part sales, part entertainment.

Before you go live:

  • Schedule your show at least 1 week in advance

  • Promote it on social media & your marketplace followers

  • Prepare items in the order you plan to sell them

  • Decide your auction style (fast-paced 30-sec bids or longer)

💡 Tip: Keep your energy up — talk to the audience, thank bidders, and showcase products clearly.

Step 5: Run Your Live Show Like a Pro

During the show:

  • Greet new viewers & engage in small talk

  • Highlight key product details (condition, rarity, value)

  • Keep auctions moving — no one likes dead air

  • Offer Buy It Now options for hot items

  • Consider giveaways to boost engagement and followers

Step 6: After the Show – Fulfillment & Follow-Up

Whatnot sends you prepaid shipping labels for sold items. Your job is to:

  1. Package items securely within 2 business days

  2. Include a thank-you note to encourage repeat buyers

  3. Track your analytics to see what sold fastest

Pro Tip: Use AI Agents to Scale Your Whatnot Business

If you’re also selling on platforms like Poshmark, eBay, or Mercari, you can double your reach by using AI automation.

With Closo’s AI Agents, you can:

  • Crosslist inventory from Whatnot to other marketplaces

  • Auto-share listings to keep your items visible on Poshmark

  • Send offers automatically to likers on multiple platforms

  • Price optimize based on real-time demand

This way, you’re not just relying on live shows — your items are selling 24/7 across multiple platforms.

Case Study: Turning $500 in Inventory into $5,000 on Whatnot

Josh, a sneaker reseller, started on Whatnot in late 2024.

  • Began with 25 pairs of Jordans & Yeezys from liquidation

  • Ran 2 live shows per week

  • Promoted shows on TikTok & Instagram

  • Crosslisted leftover pairs to eBay & Poshmark via Closo

Results in 3 months:

  • 180 pairs sold on Whatnot

  • Extra 35 pairs sold crosslisted on other platforms

  • Total revenue: $5,000+ profit after fees

“Whatnot is amazing for fast flips. Closo made sure nothing sat unsold.”

Whatnot Fees & Payments

  • Selling Fee: 8% of the sale price

  • Payment Processing Fee: 2.9% + $0.30

  • Payouts: Typically within 2–3 days after shipment scan

💡 Compare this to eBay & Poshmark fees to decide where certain items are most profitable.

Tips for Long-Term Success on Whatnot

  1. Niche Down – Build a loyal audience by specializing in one category.

  2. Stay Consistent – Regular shows keep you visible and trusted.

  3. Engage Between Shows – Use Instagram/TikTok to build hype.

  4. Test Pricing Strategies – Alternate between fast-paced $1 starts and higher reserves.

  5. Leverage Crosslisting – Don’t leave unsold inventory idle.

Final Thoughts

Selling on Whatnot can be one of the fastest ways to turn inventory into cash in 2025 — but it works best when combined with a multi-platform strategy.

If you want to:

  • Sell quickly through live auctions

  • Build a repeat audience

  • Keep profit margins high

  • Automate crosslisting and promotions

… then Whatnot + AI-powered tools like Closo can help you work less, sell more, and scale faster.

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