How You Can Win on Whatnot in 2025

Live shopping isn’t just a trend anymore—it’s an ecosystem. Whatnot has quietly become the go-to platform for brands looking to move inventory fast, build real connections with customers, and create an entirely new revenue stream. In 2024, we saw brands 10x their transaction volume compared to traditional peer-to-peer marketplaces. This isn't just about selling—it's about entertaining, engaging, and fostering a loyal community around your products.

So, if you’re an eCommerce founder in 2025, here’s exactly how you can dominate Whatnot and turn it into one of your most profitable sales channels.

Quick Links

• How You Can Win on Whatnot in 2025

• TLDR: Live shopping or not?

  • Content of The Week

But first, a quick thank you to this weeks sponsors:

Alright back to the live shopping breakdown:

1. Choosing the Right Product Mix

Not every product thrives in a live shopping format. The biggest winners on Whatnot in 2024 were brands that focused on:
✅ Collectibles & Limited Editions – Sneakers, trading cards, rare apparel, and exclusive drops sell like crazy.
✅ Personality-Driven Products – Anything that benefits from storytelling (think vintage fashion, handmade items, or anything with a “cool” backstory).
✅ Impulse-Buy Price Points – Low-to-mid-tier pricing ($10-$50) works best for high-volume sales.

🚀 2025 Playbook:

• Test multiple SKUs in your first few shows to find what converts.

• Lean into scarcity and exclusivity—drop products that are only available via Whatnot.

2. Master the Art of Live Selling

Live shopping is all about energy + engagement. The best sellers don’t just sell—they put on a show. If your stream feels like a boring infomercial, you’ll lose viewers fast.

🔥 What worked in 2024:

• Fast-paced streams – The best sellers kept things moving, engaging viewers constantly.

• Live Q&A + giveaways – Viewers need a reason to stick around. Freebies + interactivity = engagement.

• Behind-the-scenes storytelling – People buy from people, not brands. Share the “why” behind your products.

🎬 2025 Playbook:

• Use Whatnot’s “Buy It Now” feature alongside auctions to mix impulse purchases with controlled pricing.

• Have a co-host to keep energy high and manage comments while you present.

• Invest in good lighting + clear audio—your production value matters more than you think.

3. Build a Loyal Audience (Not Just Buyers)

Whatnot is a community-first platform. The brands that crushed it in 2024 weren’t just running sales—they were building repeat buyers.

💡 What worked in 2024:

• Consistent streaming schedules – Sellers who went live at the same time each week built audiences faster.

• Exclusive Whatnot drops – Rewarding loyal viewers with first access kept people coming back.

• Cross-promoting on social + email – Brands that drove their existing audience to Whatnot grew faster.

👥 2025 Playbook:

• Commit to a weekly live show—treat it like your best-performing marketing channel.

• Launch a “Whatnot VIP” tier for repeat buyers (early access, bonus giveaways, etc.).

• Run collabs with influencers + other sellers to cross-promote and bring in new viewers.

4. Leverage Data & Optimize for Conversions

The best sellers in 2024 treated Whatnot like an acquisition funnel. They tracked what worked and doubled down on data-driven growth strategies.

📊 Key insights from top sellers in 2024:

• First-time viewer conversion rate – What percentage of new viewers buy?

• Retention rate – Are people coming back to your streams?

• Best-performing price points & SKUs – Identify which products sell fastest.

📈 2025 Playbook:

• Test different auction lengths + starting prices to find your conversion sweet spot.

• Use Whatnot’s “Pre-Bid” feature to drive more competitive auctions before going live.

• After each stream, send a follow-up email to attendees with a recap + exclusive offer.

5. Integrate Whatnot into Your Overall DTC Strategy

Whatnot shouldn’t be an isolated channel—it should be part of your broader brand ecosystem.

🔗 Winning integrations in 2024:

• Upsell Whatnot buyers on your Shopify store (via post-stream email flows).

• Use Whatnot to clear out excess inventory fast (instead of discounting on-site).

• Leverage Whatnot data for better product launches—test demand before scaling new SKUs.

🎯 2025 Playbook:

• Run a “Whatnot Only” flash sale to test demand before launching products DTC.

• Use your existing email + SMS list to drive traffic to your Whatnot streams.

• Treat Whatnot as a way to build customer lifetime value—not just move units.

Final Thoughts: Should You Invest in Whatnot in 2025?

If you’re a DTC brand looking to grow, Whatnot should be on your radar. The brands that jumped in early in 2024 saw explosive growth, and 2025 is still early enough to claim your space.

Whatnot is like TikTok in 2019—right now is the time to build your audience before it’s too crowded.

✅ If you sell collectibles, fashion, accessories, or unique products, this is a no-brainer.
✅ If you want to connect deeper with your customers, live shopping beats traditional eCommerce every time.
✅ If you’re willing to show up weekly and build a real community, Whatnot can become a major revenue stream.

Your next move:
🔹 Claim your Whatnot seller account.
🔹 Start testing small, learn from data, and optimize.
🔹 Commit to live selling and build a repeat customer base.

Whatnot isn’t just the future of commerce—it’s happening right now. If you’re an eCommerce founder in 2025, the real question is: Are you in?