What a Whatnot co-host does (and when it's worth 10%)
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Quick answer: A Whatnot co-host joins a seller's live show on camera to help present items and work the chat. The host runs the show, lists everything, makes the labels and gets paid, then splits the money. A co-hosting crew like The Grow House does setup, promo, chat and labels for 10% of actual sales.
Last verified November 11, 2026, against the Whatnot Help Center.
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Hi, hello. Full disclosure before we start: I co-host vintage sellers on Whatnot through The Grow House, with Waka, Nikki and Bearclaw. So yes, this post ends with a form. But the first half is how co-hosting actually works on Whatnot, because the rules are a little weird (the co-host never gets paid by Whatnot, for one), and you should know them whether you ever talk to us or not.
What does a co-host do on Whatnot?
Co-hosting is a Whatnot feature that lets the seller who starts a show bring one other person into it, with their own video and sound, so you're both on screen. Whatnot is very clear about who does what: the host runs the show and owns every order. The co-host is there to present and talk. (Invite a co-host to your show)
| A co-host can | A co-host can't |
|---|---|
| Join the show with their own video and sound | Start or end the show |
| Talk to viewers and the chat | List or sell from their own Shop |
| Help present items | Get into the host's Seller Hub |
| Have their items sold through the host's listings | Print shipping labels |
| Reach the host's audience | Receive earnings or payouts directly |
A few more rules from Whatnot that matter:
- One co-host per show. Shows support one co-host at a time.
- The co-host joins from the app. If the host runs the show from whatnot.com, the co-host still has to join from the iOS or Android app, and the host won't see or hear their feed.
- Only the host can invite. They tag the co-host's username in chat and pick Invite to Co-host.
Who gets paid and who ships in a co-hosted show?
This is the part people don't expect. In a co-hosted show, the host receives all of the earnings, no matter whose items sold. If the two of you agreed to split the money, the host sends the co-host their share after the payout comes through. Whatnot's own fees still apply (here's how Whatnot fees work in 2026).
Shipping works like this:
- The host generates the labels for the show.
- The host exports the labels for the co-host's items and emails them over.
- The co-host packs and ships using those Whatnot labels, so tracking works and payouts aren't held up.
Every label from a co-hosted show uses the host's return address, so returned packages go back to the host. And any order issue is tied to the host's account, though Whatnot's Trust & Safety team can look at both accounts if the Community Guidelines aren't followed. (Invite a co-host to your show)
Two kinds of co-hosting
| Friend swap | Co-hosting crew | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Two sellers go live together and share audiences | An established host account runs the show and brings you on to sell your items |
| Whose show | Whoever starts it | The crew's |
| Who does setup | Usually the host, sometimes split | The crew |
| Cost | Whatever you agree on | A set cut of sales |
| Best for | Sellers with their own audience who want new eyes | New sellers, or sellers who want a show without running every part of it |
Either way, put the split in writing before you go live. Whatnot pays the host, so the agreement is what protects the co-host.
What a co-hosted show looks like at The Grow House
The Grow House is the co-hosting crew I run with Waka, Nikki and Bearclaw. It's for vintage sellers who want to go live on Whatnot without the chaos, whether it's your very first show or you've been selling a while and want more reach and an extra set of hands.
What we handle
- Show setup: loading your items and theming the show
- Pricing guidance
- Scheduling and promo, social included
- Chat moderation, pacing and hype
- Shipping labels and packing lists after the show
What you handle
- Curating a good lineup
- Filling out the prep list
- Showing up ready to sell
- Printing, packing and shipping (within 2 business days)
Who you'd be selling with
| Host | IG Handle | Specialty | Fave decade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sami | @youhavetimetowaste | Women's true vintage | 1960s |
| Waka | @wakaflockajamez | Music, Jesus and culture | 1980s |
| Bearclaw | @bearclawvintage | Band and native t-shirts, sports cards | 1970s |
| Nikki | @nikkiterrystyle | Size-inclusive vintage fashion collections | 1990s |
Between the four of us that's women's true vintage, size-inclusive fashion, band and music tees, and sports cards. Whatever you sell, one of us gets it.
When is a co-host worth 10%?
The Grow House takes 10% of actual sales, on top of Whatnot's own fees. If a show does $300, that's $30 to us. If it does nothing, it's nothing. We only do as well as you do.
Whatnot's fees still apply as usual: for a small fashion seller that's an 8% commission on the item price plus 2.9% + $0.30 payment processing on each order total. (Whatnot seller fees)
| Probably worth it if | Probably not worth it if |
|---|---|
| It's your first show and nobody follows you yet | You already have a following and a show routine that works |
| Setup, promo and chat are the parts keeping you from going live | You enjoy running every part of the show yourself |
| You want to learn the rhythm of a live show before doing it solo | Your items are mostly priced so low that another 10% wipes out the profit |
| You have a good lineup but not a lot of time | You can't ship within 2 business days |
On that low-price point: after fees, a $1 sale nets about 50 cents. That's why I don't do $1 starts and only use $2 starts for clearance. Run the math on your cheapest items before you add any extra cut.
How to get ready for any co-hosted show
This is the checklist we walk our guests through at The Grow House, and it works for a solo show too.
- Before: upload listings early so people can pre-bid, clean your lens, check lighting and WiFi, turn off Bluetooth, set up your background (hang up some bangers) and get your items in order.
- During: talk to the chat, do small giveaways, stick a sticky note with the buyer's name on every sold item, face the camera so you sound better, and keep water close.
- Pricing: think 80% deals and 20% "holy shit, I'm rich." You're clearing racks, not getting full market price on everything. A size large tee fits a ton of people, and stretchy or loose fits get more bids.
- After: ship fast, double-check every package, include something branded or a handwritten note, and post what sold.
If shipping is the scary part, here's how we pack and ship our Whatnot orders.
Sami's take
I've done 300+ Whatnot shows since March 2024, and my one tip for anybody, co-hosted or not, is to stay organized during the show. It makes packing so much easier afterward. The sticky-note-with-the-buyer's-name trick is the cheapest version of that.
A co-host isn't magic. It won't make a weak lineup sell. What it does is take the setup, promo and chat off your plate so you can just talk about your stuff, which for a lot of people is the only part they wanted to do in the first place.
Want a co-host for your first show?
Your first show doesn't have to be a solo act. At The Grow House we load your items, theme the show, hype the chat and send you labels after. You just talk about your stuff. It's 10% of actual sales, so we only win when you do. Fill out the interest form, or find us as TheGrowHouse on Whatnot and @thegrowhousegang on Instagram.
Whatnot co-host FAQ
Can a Whatnot co-host sell items from their own shop?
No. A co-host can't list or sell from their own Shop during a co-hosted show. The host has to list the co-host's items in the host's Shop before or during the show.
Who gets paid in a co-hosted Whatnot show?
The host receives all earnings for the show, no matter who ships the orders. If the host and co-host agreed to split earnings, the host sends the co-host their share after the payout is complete.
Who ships the orders in a co-hosted show?
The host generates the labels and emails the co-host the labels for their items. The co-host ships with those Whatnot labels, which use the host's return address.
Can you have more than one co-host on Whatnot?
No. Whatnot shows support one co-host at a time. The host can remove a co-host by tapping their username in chat.
How much does The Grow House charge to co-host?
10% of actual sales, on top of Whatnot's own fees. If the show sells nothing, you owe nothing.
Sources
Next in this series
Next in Start selling on Whatnot: your first Whatnot show, the complete checklist. Brand new to reselling? Start with a beginner's guide to getting started as a reseller. Every guide lives in the Whatnot guide.
Not on Whatnot yet? My seller invite link can get new sellers up to $150 after they host their first show (bonus amounts can change).
Sami
