Live Selling 101: How to Get Started with Your First Livestream
Live selling is transforming eCommerce, allowing you and your business to connect with your followers and customers in real-time and drive instant sales. If you’ve never hosted a live selling event before, don’t worry—this guide will walk you through the essential steps to launch your first successful livestream. We’ve been helping live sellers for 30 years, and with the growing movement of live shopping gaining such momentum in 2025, you are ahead of the competition!
Choose the Right Platform
Different platforms cater to different audiences, so selecting the right one is crucial. Here are some top choices:
TikTok Live, Shopping: Best for engaging the younger demographic with fast-paced content.
YouTube Live: Perfect for in-depth product demonstrations and tutorials.
Amazon Live: A strong option for sellers already on Amazon.
Instagram Live: Great for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands.
Facebook Live: Ideal for businesses with an established Facebook audience.
Consider where your target customers spend their time and start there.
Plan Your Content
Live selling isn’t just about showcasing products—it’s about storytelling and engagement. Here’s how to plan an engaging session:
Outline Your Key Talking Points: Don’t rely on a script, but have a clear structure. Think like a customer - what would you want to hear about?
Feature Your Best Products: Highlight popular or exclusive items first to grab the attention of your audience.
Use Demonstrations: Show the product in action to build trust - if you’re selling fashion, wear it! If you’re selling make-up, glow for it!
Prepare for Audience Interaction: Have answers ready for common customer questions - whether it’s sizing, fabrication, ingredients, animal testing, delivery or pricing - make sure you know your stuff.
Set Up Your Equipment
A high-quality stream boosts credibility. Invest in:
A Good Camera & Microphone: Clear visuals and audio make a huge difference. If you want your audience to buy, they need to be able to see what they are getting. If they can’t hear you, they may leave. You only get one chance to make a great first impression.
Proper Lighting: Natural light or a ring light ensures a professional look. What looks hygge or like good mood lighting to us in the room does not always look so great through the camera lens.
Stable Internet Connection: A wired connection is best to prevent buffering.
Test everything before going live to avoid technical hiccups. Then test it again! Make sure you know how to resolve common tech issues - or have someone on hand to help.
Engage with Your Audience
Interaction is what makes live selling powerful. Keep viewers engaged by:
Welcoming New Viewers: Acknowledge them as they join.
Encouraging Questions: Answer in real-time to create a personal connection.
Using Polls & Giveaways: These boost participation and keep viewers watching longer.
Creating Urgency: Limited-time discounts or exclusive offers drive sales. But, keep it authentic - your audience will know if you are not being genuine, and you will lose your credibility.
Close the Sale & Follow Up
At the end of your livestream, make it easy for viewers to buy:
Pin Purchase Links: Direct viewers to your website or checkout page.
Recap Key Offers: Remind them of limited-time deals.
Follow Up with Viewers: Send thank-you messages or offer a special deal to those who watched.
Remember…
Live selling is an exciting opportunity to grow your business, engage your audience, and boost sales. With the right platform, planning, and engagement strategies, your first livestream can be a success. Start small, refine your approach, and watch your live selling skills grow!
Would you like help choosing the right platform for your niche? Let us know in the comments!