Live selling has taken the business world by storm. Live sellers have boosted revenue by up to 200% in under six months! It’s a game-changer for increasing customer engagement, sales, and revenue.
If you want to leverage this powerful selling technique, you’ll need a few essential tools to get started and take your live selling game to the next level. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, CommentSold has got you covered with our top recommendations for a successful live sale event.
Camera
You don’t need an expensive camera for your live sale. Chances are that your existing smartphone is good enough to get you started with live selling. Whether you prefer an iPhone or Android device, CommentSold works seamlessly with both. However, we recommend Apple iPhones for their recording capability. If you conduct live sales regularly, consider investing in a dedicated smartphone. If you wish to stick to Android, any mid-range smartphones should be more than sufficient.
Our Recommendation:
iPhone or iPhone Pro
Laptop
A laptop is a valuable tool for organizing your inventory, previewing your live broadcast, and managing incoming comments and questions from your audience. The portability of laptops allows you to position them anywhere within sight. Some live sellers even place their laptops on shelves at eye level or connect them to large monitors or TVs for an enhanced viewing experience. MacBooks are a great option for this, but any mid-range laptop will do.
Our Recommendation:
MacBooks or PC laptop with a minimum of 8GB (16GB preferred especially for PC) RAM and an SSD.
Lightning to Ethernet Adapter
Enhance your phone’s connectivity and stability with an Ethernet adapter. While wireless connections have improved, wired connections remain significantly more stable.
For optimal performance, we suggest using a versatile 2-in-1 USB-C to Ethernet or Lightning to Ethernet connector that not only provides reliable internet access but also allows you to charge your phone simultaneously. This will ensure uninterrupted viewing of your live sale and help you maximize your revenue potential.
Our Recommendation:
Belkin Ethernet + Power Adapter with Lightning Connector
Lights
Proper lighting is essential to eliminate unflattering shadows and make your products shine. Additionally, it enhances your on-screen presence and makes you look fabulous! Because of their soft glow, ring lights are a popular choice for live sales. We recommend using at least one 18″ adjustable ring light. A steady, adjustable ring light with a phone holder will also ensure that your live sales are not shaky or blurry to your viewer, which can reduce viewing enjoyment.
Our Recommendation:
Neewer 18″ Ring Light Kit
Backdrop
Keep your video clean and focused on your products with a backdrop. It eliminates distractions from cluttered backgrounds and enhances the shopping experience for your customers. You can switch out backdrops and props for different occasions or seasons, or take it up a notch by creating custom-branded backdrops that reflect your brand identity.
Our Recommendation:
We recommend sprucing up your existing sets or doing outdoor livestream sales. You can also choose from an assortment of quality backdrops from Backdrop Outlet. Keep in mind that a bigger backdrop will give you more room to move around. A support stand like the MOUNTDOG Studio Backdrop Stand is also a good idea.
Models or Mannequins
Although customers can’t try the clothes on themselves, live selling allows you to showcase how clothing fits using models. This helps customers find their perfect fit, promotes size inclusivity, and gives them a sense of what they are buying and whether it’s what they’re looking for. You can hire models who can also assist behind the scenes. If live models are unavailable, mannequins can also do the job quite effectively.
Our Recommendation:
Live models with different sizes. You can invite other live sellers or your friends and family too.
Purchasing Instructors
Don’t let your customers miss out on purchasing because they’re unsure of the process. Visual cues for purchasing instructions are crucial, especially considering many viewers watch videos without sound. Consider instructing viewers to purchase every now and then to account for new viewers.
CommentSold’s Live Overlay feature displays clear purchasing instructions in a bubble above your talent, ensuring customers know exactly what to do to make a purchase. If you don’t have live overlays like this, you can use identifier tags as a visual cue.
Our Recommendation:
CommentSold Live Overlay
Centralized Dashboard
Juggling your stream preview, live sale inventory selection, and real-time comments can be challenging. CommentSold offers a centralized dashboard where you can conveniently monitor all three simultaneously. Stay connected with your audience, manage your inventory, and rock your sale with ease.
Our Recommendation:
CommentSold
Scanner
Using a barcode scanner can significantly improve your efficiency, especially as your business grows. A barcode scanner allows you to add and sell products on the fly, without the need for pre-created product lists for your live sales. Simply scan the product, and its purchasing information will appear at the top of the screen, making your live sales smoother.
Our Recommendation:
Zebra/Motorola Symbol DS9208 Handheld 2D Barcode Scanner
Label Printer
If you choose to barcode your items, a thermal label printer is a must-have. The Dymo 4XL is a recommended option that offers durability and can print up to 53 labels per minute. For high-volume shops, we suggest using Zebra printers, the most efficient printer on the market. An appropriate label printer will help you maintain speed and efficiency while seamlessly managing inventory and live sale selections.
Our Recommendation:
Dymo 4XL or Zebra ZT610. Rollo Printer for budget setups.
Auto-Invoicing Software
Streamline the checkout process and boost efficiency with auto-invoicing software. Instead of manually collecting customer details, tallying purchases, and sending invoices, use automated invoicing software to save hours of your time.
CommentSold’s auto-invoicing software integrates with popular payment options like Square Payments, PayPal, Stripe, and Sezzle. Customers can register with an account, input their email and shipping information, and receive invoices via Messenger or email.
Our Recommendation:
CommentSold
Unlock Success with Live Selling and CommentSold
Live selling has transformed many businesses, propelling them to new heights of success. With the right tools and the power of CommentSold, you too can achieve extraordinary results. Good luck and happy selling!