Wait, what? How to start a video store? First of all, let’s see what a video store really is. By our own terms at least.
Disclaimer
A few years ago, a video store was a…brick and mortar store from which you could buy or rent videos. Nowadays, a video store is a video from where viewers can easily purchase. With a single click of a button. This is how we see it, at least.
A video store is…exactly that. A store where customers interact with video content. Live video content. A digital storefront where the shop assistant will guide customers through their purchasing journey. Without them having to leave their homes. A video store is the future of commerce. It’s an experience that takes the best from both in-store and digital commerce. That combines them and delivers an unforgettable shopping experience.
Why start a video store with live stream shopping?
There are many reasons for which people buy online. Sometimes we do it for the convenience of having the products delivered to our doorsteps. And sometimes for the lower costs. We do it because we can buy from a small Parisian shop, while we sit on the couch. In Austin. Or Tokyo.
There are indeed many reasons for which we buy online.
Yet, a study conducted in 2020 shows that more than 50% of online shoppers are looking for a different experience. For a way for them to be engaged, to have their questions answered on the spot, but have a better understanding of the product. The perks of traditional in-store shopping. Here is where a video store, powered by live stream shopping technology, comes in handy.
Why? Because live stream shopping allows you to go live in front of your audience, engage viewers, and answer their questions. While they buy straight from the live experience.
Mixing your online shop and a live stream shopping session will create a shopping experience worthy of the 21st century. And if you think it’s difficult… you are wrong. Don’t trust my word for it. Create a free account and test the solution for yourself. Our Personal account is 100% free and you can start a live session within minutes.
Improving the online shopping experience with a video store
Over the last almost 3 decades, eCommerce has come a long way. It’s an optimized process, that connects each customer to businesses from all over the ward. Using a smartphone, we can place an order at any given time. And products will soon be at our doorsteps.
Behind that, the trillion dollars industry has automatized each step of this process. Yet, the experience itself has not changed that much.
JC Penney Christmas Sales Catalog, 1966
Manufacturing, picking, delivery, each has been carefully studied and improved. After the order is confirmed, tens and thousands of smart machines make sure that we receive what we ordered, when we have selected that we want it to be delivered.
But what if commerce is not all about products and optimized processes. Not just about prices, discounts, and same-day delivery. What if it’s about people connecting with other people. After all, if those above were the only things that really mattered, brick and mortar shops should have been a thing of the past by now. What if the experience that makes you buy is as evenly important as what happens after you press the “Buy Now” button. And what if you could easily improve this experience.
In-store commerce is human to human. Online commerce should be the same
If people buy from you because you sell cheaper…you may find yourself fighting the wrong battle. If they do it for your passion, story, and commitment, you then have an authentic connection with your customers. And that’s something that definitely worths fighting for.
Having a real connection with your customers will not only increase their spending with your brand by over 50% but will also make them choose you over your competitors 3 out of 4 times. The key to this is having a real connection. A human to human one.
How to tie the bond you have with your customers? While there are multiple correct answers here, today we will focus on live stream shopping. On creating a video store, one where customers can be welcomed by a real person, where their questions can receive an answer in a matter of seconds. Where an experienced member of your team can give potential customers the best advice when it matters the most: when they are ready to buy.
Benefits of having a video store with live stream shopping
Now, let’s focus on the benefits of creating such a live experience.
One of the most important benefits is that live video creates a sense of intimacy, improving the connection between you and your customers.
People like to buy while having fun. And yes, live stream shopping sessions should be fun. They are meant not only to sell but to also create an enjoyable experience. No wonder this experience is also known as Shoppatainment. It’s the place where shopping meets entertainment.
Questions are answered on spot. 4 out of 5 customers have at least one question they need to find an answer to before making a purchase. Having a live interaction will allow to answer it on the spot, even if the customer is miles and miles away.
User-generated content. 70% of customers will look for UGC (reviews, ratings, testimonials) before buying a product. A video store backed up by live stream shopping allows your viewers to share their experience with your brand live, helping other viewers decide faster.
Authenticity. Humans value authenticity so much that 90% of surveyed consumers said that it is something that they look at it before deciding to support a brand. With video shopping, you will provide it each time you go live.
Setting up your first video store
The success of a live stream shopping session comes from the content you create. That’s why we think you should focus on creating experiences that engage, inspire, and entertain viewers. The rest should be taken care of by the live stream shopping platform that helps you deliver this new shopping journey.
Here are some tips that will get you started:
There are different formats used for live stream shopping, depending on who is the “star” of the experience. You can go live with an influencer, and this will help you get access to a larger audience. More than often, companies decide to go live with one of their shop assistants – and this works better than anyone could have anticipated. The main reason is that people appreciate interacting with somebody that has a great understanding of the products and how they can be used. And, of course, a mix of these two creates a unique experience – a show worthy of your customers’ attention.
You may think that you need a professional crew for filming, but that is not really the case. People love authenticity, so going live using a smartphone or an external USB webcam is just as good as anything else. It’s important to deliver quality video, but people do not expect a Hollywood masterpiece. They are here for the live, unedited experience. And this is what you should deliver. If you decide to go live by yourself, I am sure that you will find this Checklist very useful. Or you could schedule a call and one of our experienced team members will walk you through everything there is to know about live stream shopping sessions.
Live Commerce Session should not be too short. Nor too long. This is why we encourage our partners to start a video store using live stream shopping sessions. This way, they can group products based on categories, approach the right customers, and skyrocket their sales.
The success of a live stream shopping session also depends on how you communicate it to your community. If nobody knows that you plan on going live, you will probably not have the success that you could. Communication is an important part of this process – after all, this is what live stream shopping is all about. A genuine connection, based on two-way communication, from one human to another.
Final thoughts
Are you ready to create new, engaging shopping experiences?
People buy from people, and they are always looking for real connections. They are also looking for new, improved shopping experiences. Luckily, live stream shopping offers a new way of buying. One where our favorite shop assistant can still offer the experience we are craving for, even if we are miles away from the store.
