Reference: Shopee

The e-commerce arena is becoming a more competitive place for businesses to operate in and to remain successful. Staying ahead of the curve and being vigilant are crucial for e-commerce sellers if they want to make sure their company can survive such intense competition. Today, one transformative tool that sellers are leveraging on is livestreaming – or live selling – which has become a powerful method for sellers to connect with their customers in real-time by showing product demonstrations and answering customer queries. One clear example of the impact of livestreaming to local sellers can be seen from the success of Shopee Live on the 9.9 Super Shopping Day, where sellers who hopped on live that day saw an impressive six-fold increase in their sales as compared to other regular days. This astounding growth demonstrates livestreaming’s untapped opportunity for businesses, particularly in the Southeast Asian market. But why is livestreaming of such significance and how can businesses of all sizes utilize it efficiently?

Livestreaming to success

Livestreaming for business nowadays is not just a trend, but rather a pivotal component of e-commerce success. As a matter of fact, livestreaming is transforming how vendors interact with consumers, and it’s clear to see why. The vibrant, interactive nature of live video allows for immediate communication, Q&A, and feedback, building a personal connection between sellers and consumers. Additionally, customers feel more engaged and trust the brand or seller more when they are able to see live demonstrations of products, significantly boosting the probability of generating more sales. Unlike traditional advertising, this level of authenticity is one that sets the bar between old and new. In e-commerce, trust is everything – and livestreaming offers exactly that: an opportunity to build that trust in an instant.

Benefits of livestreaming

In short, SMEs and especially local businesses who wish to advance in e-commerce would definitely benefit from livestreaming.

1. Instant Sales Boost: The recent success of the 9.9 Shopee Live is just one example of how effective real-time engagement can have on purchasing behavior. For buyers, seeing a product in action can easily turn hesitation into instant purchasing decisions.
2. Enhanced Brand Loyalty: Livestreaming provides businesses with a face, a voice, and an opportunity to engage directly with their customers. It’s about putting forth a personality and creating a memorable shopping experience that goes beyond price tags.
3. Real-Time Interactions: Livestreaming provides customers with a chance to ask questions regarding the products and get immediate answers, helping them make informed decisions. This interactive dynamic reduces uncertainty for skeptical customers and increases their purchasing confidence.
4. Exclusive Deals and Offers: Sellers can choose to provide special discounts or limited-time offers during livestreaming sessions, which not only attract viewers but also push for faster conversions.

Going live

So, you’re considering to kickstart your livestream journey for your brand but you’re afraid of being overwhelmed? Many sellers have the perception that setting up a livestream is complicated. But in reality, it’s easier now than ever. Platforms like Shopee have in fact made livestreaming accessible even for beginners. All you need is just a smartphone and a stable internet connection and you’re ready to roll!

Here’s why starting a livestream for your e-commerce business is simpler than you might think:

1. User-Friendly Platforms: E-Commerce platforms like Shopee, Lazada and TikTok, have built-in features that allow sellers to start livestreaming directly from their seller platforms. These tools are designed with simplicity in mind, so even those unfamiliar with livestreaming can get started in a matter of minutes.
2. Minimal Equipment Required: One common misconception of livestreamming is that you’ll need fancy equipment or a professional setup, but it is quite the opposite. In fact, most successful livestreams are typically filmed using basic smartphones. Keep in mind that since you are just starting off, content and interaction with viewers should be your Number 1 priority as you learn to engage and drive customers to participate in your livestreams. However, as your streams gain traction, you may steadily improve their quality over time.
3. High Effort, High Rewards: Livestreaming can be rewarding but it is also important to keep in mind the quality of your content. Get creative and try to incorporate elements that will lift the mood and excite your audience such as actively demonstrating your products and engaging directly with your viewers. The more effort you put into the overall quality of your streams, the higher the rewards you can expect to see.
4. Livestream Features: Platforms such as Shopee Live offer easy-to-use interactive features such as Spin The Wheel, Shopee Coin giveaways, polls and auctions, making it easy to create an engaging and immersive shopping experience without needing complex technological knowledge from the sellers’ end. Moreover, Shopee offers a rich selection of educational materials for you to learn and explore as you continue to develop your livestreaming skills.

The potential of livestreaming to businesses is endless, if done right. Reach out to us if you require expertise on bringing your brand live.Report this article