# How to promote your Whatnot show > Get people into your next Whatnot show: short videos, posts between shows, product photos and turning buyers into regulars. Updated 5 October 2026 A show sells only to the people watching it. If you put all your effort into the stream and none into bringing viewers, your first few shows will run quiet. Use this plan if you run one or two shows a week: set up a short-video account, post between shows, photograph the stock you will sell and keep the buyers you already have. ## Set up one short-video account properly Pick one platform to start: TikTok, Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. Use the same name as your Whatnot shop, the same profile picture and a bio line that says what you sell and when you go live. Put your Whatnot shop link in the bio. Post on that one account for a few weeks before you spread to the others. ## Post the stock before the show The day before a show, post a 15–30 second clip of the best items going in it. Show them in hand, close up, with the show day and time on screen. A phone on a tripod and a ring light is enough. A tripod is typically £18–30 and a ring light typically £35–60, and you will use both for the show itself. ## Fill the days between shows Between shows, post short, useful clips: a new arrival, a packing video, a quick tip about the items you sell, a clip of the best moment from the last show. A 20 second clip every day reaches more people than one long video a week. Batch them. Film five clips in one session, then post one a day. One setup session covers the whole week. ## Photograph the stars of the show Clear photos of the headline items do double duty: they go on your show listing and on social posts. A 40 cm photo light box, typically £25–40, gives a clean, even background for small items. Shoot from the same angle each time so your posts look like a set. Natural window light works for larger items if you shoot at the same time of day. ## Turn buyers into followers A buyer has already paid you once. Thank them by name on stream, put a card in the parcel with your social handle and next show day, and close the bag with a sticker. A roll of 500 thank-you stickers is typically £5–9. Run shows at the same day and time each week. Regulars can plan their evening around a fixed slot. ## Use what Whatnot gives you, carefully Schedule shows in advance and share the show link on your social accounts. Whatnot changes these features, so check its help pages for the current scheduling and sharing tools. Stay within the platform’s rules on promotions and giveaways. Read the current Whatnot guidelines before running anything that looks like a competition. ## Checklist - [ ] Match your social name and picture to your Whatnot shop - [ ] Put your shop link and show day in your bio - [ ] Post a preview clip the day before each show - [ ] Batch-film five short clips for the days between shows - [ ] Shoot headline items in a light box from the same angle - [ ] Add a card with your handle and next show day to every parcel - [ ] Keep shows at the same day and time each week ## Kit for this - **[150 cm phone tripod with remote](https://sellersetups.com/product/phone-tripod)** (£18 to £30): Clothing and trainer shows need a full-body or full-shoe shot from in front. A tripod gets the phone to eye height and the remote starts recording from across the room. - **[18 in ring light with stand](https://sellersetups.com/product/ring-light)** (£35 to £60): Daylight in a spare room shifts through the day. Set the ring light once and your items look the same in the evening show as in your photos. - **[40 cm photo light box](https://sellersetups.com/product/light-tent)** (£25 to £40): Consistent white-background photos make your listings look like a shop. The box folds flat when you need the desk back. - **[Clip-on wireless phone mic](https://sellersetups.com/product/wireless-phone-mic)** (£25 to £45): Viewers leave a show when they can't hear you. A clip-on mic keeps your voice level while you reach for stock. - **[Thank-you stickers, roll of 500](https://sellersetups.com/product/thank-you-stickers)** (£5 to £9): A sticker sealing the tissue makes the parcel look finished before the buyer opens it. Swap to custom stickers with your shop name once the brand settles. ## Setups - [Whatnot card setup: £300 starter kit](https://sellersetups.com/setups/whatnot-card-starter): Camera, lights and packing kit for running your first Whatnot card shows from a desk and shipping the orders next morning, for about £300. ## Questions ### Which social platform works best for promoting Whatnot shows? The one where buyers of your category already spend time. Card and collectible buyers are active on all three, so start with the one you understand best. ### How often should I post between shows? Aim for a short clip most days. Batch-filming five at once makes that possible. ### Do I need a separate camera for social clips? No. The phone, tripod and light you use for the show are enough. ### Can I run giveaways to grow my audience? Check Whatnot’s current rules first. Every platform sets rules for giveaways and promotions, and updates them. ### How long before a show should I promote it? Post a preview the day before and a reminder an hour or two before you go live. Schedule the show early so people can find it. ### Should I mention my show on other selling platforms? Check each marketplace’s rules first. Many restrict directing buyers to other sites. Keep promotion to your own social accounts and inserts.