What you're actually paying for
When you hire a Whatnot agency, you're paying for an operating team and its infrastructure. Some brands need only hosting; others want the entire channel run end to end. Scope drives cost more than anything else.
Hosts
Host cost scales with the number and length of shows. Experienced hosts who can sell your category well are the most important — and often the most valuable — part of the budget.
Studio
A dedicated studio with lighting, cameras, and reliable internet is either built by the brand or provided by the agency as part of the service.
Livestream operations
Running a show involves more than the host: production, chat moderation, show scheduling, and on-the-fly coordination. More shows per week means more operational hours.
Inventory preparation
Receiving, counting, labeling, photographing, and staging product for each show. Large or varied catalogs require more prep time.
Fulfillment
Picking, packing, and shipping orders after each show. Cost depends on order volume, packaging requirements, and product size.
Customer service
Buyer messages, returns, damaged items, and disputes. This scales with order volume.
Account management and strategy
Planning, reporting, and ongoing optimization — tracking GMV, AOV, and sell-through and adjusting shows accordingly.
Performance-based fees
Some agencies include a performance component tied to channel sales. This aligns incentives around growth. Structures vary widely, so ask how any performance fee is calculated and what it covers.
Questions to ask any agency
Who owns the account? Who owns the inventory? What happens to unsold stock? Is fulfillment and customer service included? How is performance reported?
How LiveLaunch scopes pricing
We don't publish fixed packages. Pricing depends on livestream volume, staffing, inventory, fulfillment requirements, and the level of management required. We scope each engagement after understanding your catalog and goals — see what's included in our full-service Whatnot management.
Frequently asked questions
Does LiveLaunch publish its pricing?
No. Pricing depends on livestream volume, staffing, inventory, fulfillment requirements, and the level of management required. We provide a custom proposal after a short conversation about your goals.
Is it cheaper to build a Whatnot team in-house?
It depends on scale and how quickly you need to launch. In-house teams require hiring, training, a studio, and fulfillment processes, which take time and management attention to build.
What's usually included in full-service management?
Typically hosting, livestream operations, moderation, inventory prep, fulfillment, customer service, and reporting — but always confirm scope in writing.