Livestream shopping is revolutionizing the eCommerce industry, but it’s not enough to simply conduct a live event - you need to optimize your ROI by careful and creative planning. Brands have to design an effective promotion plan, choose the perfect blend of content and products, and employ a few simple methods to engage and convert more viewers for live stream selling. Here’s how.
Live shopping is one of the most important strategies you can deploy to increase your online sales today? Don’t believe us? Just look at these stats from McKinsey, Shopify, and Retail TouchPoints.
- By 2026, live shopping sales will account for 20% of all eCommerce sales.
- Social commerce sales are set to triple by 2025.
- Return rates on live shopping products are as much as 40% less than traditional eCommerce channels.
What started out as simple videos made by brands or for business purposes is now moving towards live streaming. Retailers or brands are going live directly from their websites, giving customers the option to buy goods without leaving the video.
So, how do you get the most out of your live stream? Here are five good tips that any store can use to make their live shopping events more successful.
1. Create Timely, Relevant Content
Creating timely and relevant content allows you to share the right message with an audience that is ready to make a purchase or engage with your brand. While it's important to create content that works throughout the year, smart marketers know how to leverage seasons, holidays, events, and trends.
For example, a baby product retailer can host a live stream selling video featuring cozy hoodies for kids during the winter season. Likewise, another brand can target parents of school-going children just before the start of a new term.
Staying up-to-date with global events is crucial for creating timely content. Although it may seem simple, many marketers overlook this aspect. Make sure your research encompasses relevant topics, ongoing conversations, social media trends, and incorporates a calendar tailored to your audience.
By doing so, you can develop a content creation plan that actively engages your target market through live events that align with their interests.
2. Increase Urgency with Promo Codes During Streaming
Regardless of the price range, discounts are highly appealing to shoppers. However, online shoppers often expect regular sale prices and discounts on eCommerce sites, particularly during weekends. To enhance the excitement and drive higher purchase rates, consider offering exclusive limited-time promotions and discounts that are specifically available only during the live stream.
With Swirl, the host can announce the discount, display a curated collection on the screen and allow customers to add-to-cart and make a purchase without leaving the show.
As viewers learn that your brand gives out great promos and offers during streaming, they’ll be sure to log in on time and watch the entire session. For brands experimenting with live shopping sessions, this is a great way to prove to marketing and sales heads that live shopping has a direct impact on sales.
Read more on: Unveiling the Hottest Live Shopping Trends: 2023 and Beyond
3. Use Festive Seasons to Reach Last-Minute Holiday Shoppers
Festivals present an ideal opportunity to host an immersive and captivating live stream selling event that drives sales for your business. Festival shopping is widely embraced and inherently carries a sense of urgency.
Many of us are guilty of leaving gift shopping until the eleventh hour, resulting in last-minute panic before a festival. Brands can leverage this impulse-buying mentality as well.
One of the best ways to capitalize on the festive mood is to set up a themed live shopping event, complete with décor, a festively dressed host, and a range of curated products that are great for gifting.
Learn more about Experience The Power Of Swirl Live Shopping's Simulcast Feature For Live streaming On Meta, Instagram, And Youtube
4. Create a Styling or Product Guide Video Stream
To maximize engagement and prolong viewer attention during livestream sessions, it is crucial to provide a blend of entertainment and information. How-To videos, in particular, tend to attract more viewers as they allow individuals to envision how your product seamlessly integrates into their daily lives and surroundings.
Another great way to engage your audiences is by running your live streams as a styling or product guide. You can invite a stylist or design professional to host your live shopping streams and give out tips on how to use the product.
Check out how Bagallery partnered with Swirl on a high-impact simulcast of livestream shopping to promote their curated fashion styling brand.
5. Organize Live Auctions and Competitions
Running live streams for exclusive limited-edition collections is an excellent strategy to produce engaging content.
By inviting your loyal customers to participate in the live stream, they have the opportunity to purchase products from these collections before they become sold out.
Moreover, you can organize short games like quizzes during a live stream, with prizes like discounts, vouchers, and more, for comments, answers, and suggestions from the audience.
Read our case study on How Greenberry Organics executed a successful launch of its new collection by partnering with Swirl