It might take a while to build an audience, so utilize any following you already have on other platforms. All of the sellers Insider spoke to promote their livestream shows on social media a few days before they go live. Be sure to include instructions on how to tune in for anyone new to livestream shopping.
has made more than $60,000 selling squishy toys and cross-promotes her shows on her YouTube and Instagram accounts. Courtesy of Vivian NguyenDepending on the livestream platform you choose, you may need to list products ahead of time so they're easy to access once you go live. Some platforms integrate with your ecommerce site and others require you to list directly on the app.
Make sure all your listings are up-to-date and that you show the proper inventory count to avoid any confusion or last-minute changes during your livestream. Viewers want a seamless shopping and check-out experience, especially when competing for a low-stock item or bidding on a collectible item. Whether you're selling antiques or anime, collectibles require a level of expertise to attract people to your livestreams. That's why sellers are most often fans and collectors themselves.
Valentine recommends following the shows your customers are watching so that when something major happens in the latest episode, you know it would be a good time to sell related products. When it's time to start your show, let your personality shine. If you're not comfortable in front of the camera, it might help to do a couple practice runs, but ultimately people relate to a natural, unscripted host.