Transcription
Want to make a thousand selling on Whatnot? I just wrapped up my first month on the platform, and let me tell you, it was a game changer. I made over $14,000 in sales, sold over 400 items, and gained 2,000 plus followers. And I got all five-star reviews.
But it wasn't just luck. I spent weeks searching strategies and learning from the top sellers before I even ran my my first show. And today, I'm going to give you a behind-the-scenes look at exactly how I did it, so you can do it too.
In this video, we'll cover:
* What is Whatnot and how to get started
* How to source inventory for success
* The secrets to running a high-performing live show
* And the key to getting five-star reviews every time.
Let's get into it.
Step one: How I discovered Whatnot. It all started with my mom. Her husband sells on Resale, and she sells on Amazon. One day, while she was at the post office, she saw another seller and she asked, "Do you sell on Amazon too?" The other seller said, "No, I sell on Whatnot." That conversation changed everything. My mom called me and told me, "You'd be amazing on Whatnot."
At first, I brushed it off. I thought, "Another platform? Do I really need more things on my plate?" But after two weeks of watching live shows, I saw people selling tons of inventory fast. That's when I decided, "Okay, I'm going to jump in head first. No regrets."
Step two: The boldest move I made, but not recommended. Most people start off slow. I did not. I spent over $7,000 on inventory before I even booked my first show. Now, I do not recommend this if you're a new seller, but I have been selling for over five years now, and I know know what sells, how to price my items, and how to turn a profit.
For the next two weeks, I studied the top sellers. I watched every move. I asked questions in their live streams and I took notes, lots and lots of notes. And every time a seller gave me valuable advice, I made sure to tip them, boost their show, or buy something because I believe in giving back when people help me. And now, I'm passing that knowledge on to you.
Step three: Book your first show. Do it now. If you're even thinking about selling on Whatnot, pause this video and book your show right now. Seriously, you don't need to set a plan yet. Just pick a date and a time that gives you a deadline to get prepared. I booked mine two weeks out, which gave me time to:
1. Get my inventory
2. Watch more live shows
3. Set up my space for shipping supplies.
If you haven't already signed up to sell on Whatnot, I have a seller's link in the description. You don't need to use it, but if you do, I get a small kickback, and I'd really appreciate it.
Step four: Sourcing deals equals sales. Whatnot is a deal hunting platform. Buyers come looking for bargains, so your job is to source smart. I'll have a separate, in-depth video on sourcing, but here are some keys:
1. Know what you're selling.
2. Know how much you can pay for it.
3. Know how much you need to sell it for to make a profit.
You don't need hundreds of items to start. I bought this purple mesh Lululemon jacket from another seller who only had like 10 items in her live, and she just kept rerunning them over and over and over again. By the way, I'm obsessed with this jacket, and sorry, it's not for sale.
Step five: The secret to consistent sales. The number one piece of advice I got from most of the top sellers is, "Stay consistent." After my first week of selling, 30 to 40% of my sales came from repeat buyers. Why? Because I show up regularly. This doesn't mean you have to go live every single day. Just pick a schedule and stick with it. Your buyers need to know when they can find you.
Step six: Create an engaging live show. People don't just come for the deals, they come for the experience.
1. Keep your audience engaged.
2. Make your space visually interesting.
3. Have something happening in the background.
For me, I use LED lights running on rainbow mode because, well, rainbow. I also display my jackets and belt bags in the background. They are all color-coordinated because I have a little bit of OCD. And when people join my lives, they immediately see what I'm selling.
Step seven: Grow your followers fast. I hit 2,000 plus followers in my first month, and here's how I did it: Giveaways. We call them "Givies." Yes, you'll lose money because you are covering the item plus the shipping, but it is an investment in your business. My Givies require people to follow me to enter, and that's how I hit 2,000 followers in one month.
Step eight: Make a thumbnail that stands out. People can't buy from you if they never click on your live. You need a great thumbnail, and here's some tricks:
1. Add a photo of you so your followers can recognize you.
2. Use bold and easy-to-read text.
3. Keep it bright and eye-catching.
I make all my thumbnails for free using Canva. No need to pay for the premium, just use a template and customize it.
Step nine: Live action versus buy it now. There are two ways to sell on Whatnot:
1. Live action: Items sell fast, no photos needed.
2. Buy it now: Also known as BIN, more like traditional online selling.
I personally only use the live action method because:
1. It's faster, no listing photos.
2. I have a limited amount of time because I'm still breastfeeding.
3. The more items I run, the more I sell.
I'll have a full video breaking down how I run live auctions.
Step ten: Getting five-star reviews every time. Want all five-star reviews like me? Do these three things:
1. You must be honest about all flaws. If an item has a flaw, mention it. I even put stickers on my flaws so I never forget to disclose them.
2. Double package your items. Delivery drivers are not gentle. I put my items in clear poly bags first, and then inside of a poly mailer.
3. Quick shipping. The faster they get the items, the happier they are.
And that's how I made $14,000 in my first month on Whatnot. If you're serious about selling, book your first show today. And if you found this video helpful, follow for more reselling tips. Got any questions? Drop it in the comments below, and I'd love to help. Now go set up your first Whatnot show and start making some sales. Happy selling!