WhatNot Show Prep Checklist: Everything You Need Before Going Live

Everything you need before going live on WhatNot -- inventory prep, equipment setup, stream settings, and show day logistics for comic sellers.

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You have got the inventory. You have got the WhatNot account. You are ready to go live and start selling comics. But are you actually prepared? The difference between a smooth, profitable show and a chaotic mess usually comes down to what you did (or did not do) in the 48 hours before you hit that “Go Live” button.

This is your complete show prep checklist. Bookmark it, print it, tape it to your wall. Run through it before every single show until it becomes second nature.

48 Hours Before: Get Your Inventory Right

This is where the real work happens. Show day should be execution, not scrambling.

• Inventory audit: Pull every comic you plan to sell and physically verify it exists, is in the condition you listed, and is where you think it is. Nothing kills a show faster than selling a book you cannot find.
• Pricing review: Check your prices against current market data. A book you priced two weeks ago might have shifted. If you are using LiveSeller Pro, run your batch pricing rules again to catch any market moves. Read our pricing guide if you need a refresher on the 60% rule and tier strategy.
• Descriptions: Every listing needs a description. Not a novel — just the key details. Issue number, publisher, year, condition notes, and why someone should care. “First appearance of [character]” is worth more than three paragraphs of plot summary.
• Photos: Front and back photos for anything over $10. Buyers want to see the actual book, not a stock image. Shoot them now so you are not fumbling with your phone on show day.
• Categories and tags: Make sure every comic is in the right WhatNot category and subcategory. Wrong categories mean your books do not show up in search. This is free visibility you are throwing away if you skip it.

24 Hours Before: Export, Upload, Test

Your inventory is clean and priced. Now get it into WhatNot.

• Export your listings: Generate your WhatNot-ready CSV file. If you are using LiveSeller Pro, the export tool formats everything to WhatNot specs automatically — correct column names, proper category formatting, no rogue special characters. If you are doing this manually, double-check our column format guide so your upload does not fail.
• Upload to WhatNot: Import your CSV and verify every listing came through correctly. Spot-check at least 10 listings for accurate titles, prices, and photos. Fix anything that looks off now, not during the show.
• Test your stream setup: Do a private test stream. Check your camera angle, lighting, audio, and internet connection. WhatNot allows test broadcasts — use them. A 5-minute test now saves you from a 5-minute dead air disaster tomorrow.
• Schedule and promote: If you have not already, schedule your show on WhatNot and promote it. Post to your social channels, Discord, wherever your buyers hang out. Give people a reason to show up — tease a key book or a special deal.

Day Of: Execution Mode

Show day is not the time to think. It is the time to execute. Everything should already be decided.

Physical setup checklist:

• Camera mounted and angled so buyers can see the comic clearly
• Ring light or softbox positioned to eliminate glare on bags and boards
• Clean, uncluttered background (your messy desk is not “atmosphere”)
• Phone or tablet charged to 100% with a backup charger nearby
• Stable internet connection — wired ethernet if possible, never rely on Wi-Fi alone for a show

Shipping and packaging supplies:

• Gemini mailers or comic-specific shipping boxes
• Bags and boards (extras — you will need them)
• Packing tape, bubble wrap, cardboard stiffeners
• Shipping labels ready to print (or a scale and label printer set up)
• Thank-you cards or business cards if you use them

Inventory organization:

• Comics organized in show order, matching your digital listing sequence
• Key issues separated and easy to grab
• Dollar bin books grouped and accessible for rapid-fire lots
• A “sold” pile area so you do not accidentally re-show a book

During the Show: Stay Organized

Once you are live, the temptation is to just roll with it. But discipline during the show makes your post-show life dramatically easier.

• Move sold books immediately to your sold pile
• If a book does not sell, note it — you will want to reprice it for next time
• Keep water nearby (you will talk more than you think)
• Engage with chat but do not get derailed by trolls or off-topic questions
• If something goes wrong technically, stay calm, acknowledge it, and fix it — your audience is more forgiving than you think

Post-Show: Reconciliation Is Not Optional

The show is over. You are tired. You want to close the laptop and deal with it tomorrow. Do not. Post-show reconciliation is where you protect your margins and build your data.

• Mark sold items: Update your inventory immediately. In LiveSeller Pro, mark items as sold so your next export is accurate. If you skip this, you will list sold books on your next show and have to apologize on camera.
• Ship within 24 hours: WhatNot buyers expect fast shipping. Delays lead to bad reviews and lower visibility in the algorithm. Pack and ship the next morning at the latest.
• Track your numbers: What was your total revenue? Average sale price? How many lots passed with no bids? This data tells you what to change for next time.
• Reprice unsold inventory: If a book did not sell, ask why. Was the price too high? Was it the wrong audience? Adjust and slot it into your next show.

The Checklist You Can Copy

Here is the condensed version:

1. 48 hours out: Audit inventory, review pricing, write descriptions, take photos
2. 24 hours out: Export CSV, upload to WhatNot, test stream, promote show
3. Day of: Set up camera/lights, organize comics in show order, prep shipping supplies
4. During show: Stay organized, move sold books, engage chat
5. Post-show: Mark sold items, ship within 24 hours, track numbers, reprice unsold

Every step you skip is a potential problem during or after your show. The sellers who grow on WhatNot are not the ones with the best inventory — they are the ones with the best systems. Build yours, refine it, and run it every single time.