Leather whips practically crack themselves, with very little effort due to the weight of the leather & balanced handle. When you get your new Giovanni Celeste bullwhip, you'll see what I mean. Once the whip loosens up after the initial break-in period, it will perform smooth hairpin rolls and produce a nice sharp crack. You won't have to muscle it nearly as much as your paracord whip. It also pays to cultivate 2-handed work, transferring the whip from right hand to left while circling overhead like a helicopter blade, learn to pass the whip behind your back, switching hands, and keep it moving continuously in a fluid line. This way, you can really develop your skills and get the most enjoyment out of your whip.
Believe me, there is so much more to a whip than banging it around to make noise. You can throw figure-8's, sidearm volleys, target wraps & strikes, then turn some of those elegant moves into a flashy crack at the very end. As I was learning the process, I found it incredibly helpful to watch my reflection in a glass door or window to study how the whip travels around; it gives you a sense of outside perspective that is really enlightening. Once you master the physics of whip movement, it really becomes an extension of your body, and you can (quite literally) do everything with your eyes closed. But it takes a lot of dedication, practice, and above all patience. It won't happen overnight. Good luck, and be sure to document your progress on video, which is another great study aid to track your skill development.
