Hello, n00b!
Ready to dive into the world of live streaming? This guide will help you get started with minimal hassle. Streaming on WhatNot (and other platforms) can seem daunting, but with a little prep, you’ll enjoy an exciting new facet of trading card games! I started on Whatnot in February 2024, and have steadily grown the operation here. I don't know everything, but I do have a lot of knowledge I'd like to share. This guide will be updated regularly as I figure things out and as people ask me questions. Below I have included some affiliate links for budget products. You can instead search any of the items on amazon (or elsewhere) if you prefer. Your first set of tools won't be your only if you enjoy streaming - you will naturally upgrade as it becomes necessary. If you don't enjoy this, be glad you didn't drop $1500 on a new phone/camera/first. Now, take what resonates with you and leave the rest! I mention a lot of items that may help you, but you may find they hinder you. You will figure it out as you go.
🔑 Essential Items
The most barebones stream, assuming a few things, will require a phone, envelopes, and some trading cards. Just few extra tools will greatly improve your streaming experience, and the experience of your customers! Ensure cards arrive safely with sleeves,team bags, and bubble wrap. There are an endless amounts of ways to protect your cards. Double stacked toploaders, spare cardboard, and questionable amounts of duct tape should help. I would also use a sharpie or good pen to label bags/envelopes as you get purchases in. You don't want to sit through 1-3 hours of your own stream and pinpoint who bought what. Every streamer will differ and you will develop your style (and therefore your main equipment) over time. Don't stress too much if it doesn't go right at first. The more you stream the more your technique will blossom.
📷 Camera and Audio
There are several set ups you can pick from, but your phone is the easiest. If you have a newer phone, it will work best. Make sure to keep the charger close. Most streaming apps are pretty battery-intensive. People can see what you're selling a lot easier with a half decent camera, and are more willing to buy since they can actually see the condition. If your phone camera has been cracked since 2021, a basic external camera and microphone can give your stream a professional edge. Start off with OBS studio and a webcam with mic or dedicated mic. If you get a cheaper webcam you will have to tweak the video settings quite a bit to get it looking good. You may prefer a less "clunky" mic like a clip on. If you're able to, swap the lightbulbs near your stream spot with daylight bulbs. There are YT videos explaining linking OBS studio to Whatnot if you need help.
🖨️ Label Printing
Manually printing and taping labels is exhausting (trust me!). Investing in a label printer will save you time and effort. Consider adding one to your setup early on – it’s life-changing. You can get a cheap label printer from many places, and most of the time even the knock off brands work decent. What matters more is the label paper. Quality label paper doesn't jam as much and you don't get streaks of no ink.
📦 Shipping Process
While Whatnot provides postage, you’ll need reliable packaging. Stock up on boxes (measure twice, buy once), mailers, poly bags, or any other shipping supplies you may need. DO NOT BUY FROM THE POST OFFICE! Bulk-buying tape, labels, and shipping supplies will make packing faster and more efficient. Once orders come in, organize your materials and create a streamlined packing process. Everyone's process will look a little bit different. Remember, your "shipping station" is your friend! If you can dedicate a table solely to boxing up your orders and weighing packgages, you will be a lot happier.
🎥 Ready to Stream?
You will find many different techniques that work for you just by watching other streamers. Like Steve Jobs said "good artists copy, great artists steal". So find inspiration often and turn every mistake into a learning opportunity. You may benefit from being super organized. There are a lot of streamers who keep everything binned and labeled, off stream and on. With everything set up, go live and connect with your audience. Stay patient, practice your skills, and enjoy the journey! You will encounter some trolls, negative people, and generic haters. Ignore them and have fun. At the end of the day we are reselling and you will never make EVERYONE happy. Good luck, and send me a link to your stream!