How to film a live shopping event: Guide for beginners
If you’re planning to go live on camera, there are a few important steps to consider beforehand to ensure a smooth and successful experience. You might be asking yourself, what are the main things I need to check before hosting a live event? In this article, we provide you with some suggestions to make your live shopping an excellent experience for you and your audience. Learn how to film a live shopping event:
- Plan your content: Consider what you want to talk about and prepare an outline or script. Ask yourself, what message do I want the audience to leave with? You will make you come up with ideas. For example, you can prepare a quiz, a video or a presentation to engage with your audience, this will also provide you with content to talk about. Moreover, you should make sure you have all the necessary equipment and props ready before going live. Fiscal materials (such as lights or products you want to show) as well as digital ones (making sure the landing pages and discounts work).
- Check your equipment: As mentioned in the first step, it is important to test your camera, microphone, and lighting before going live to make sure everything is working properly. If possible, do a trial run to make sure the audio and video quality is good. Doing a test beforehand will allow you to improve the quality of the video image. Don’t forget to charge everything with full energy before the start!
- Choose a quiet and well-lit location: Find a place where there are no distractions or interruptions. Make sure the lighting is sufficient and that there’s no background noise that could interfere with your broadcast. It is a good idea to wear noise cancelling headphones or talk to a good microphone rather than using the computer. However, a prior test will help check if there are any echoes or a blinking light that could improve the live video stream.
- Dress appropriately: Wear clothes that are appropriate for your topic and that make you feel comfortable and confident. Avoid busy patterns, bright colours, or anything that might distract your viewers. You can treat it as if you were the seller in a brick and mortar store and people came in to look and feel your products while asking you questions in a professional environment. Depending on the background of your filming location, make sure to create some contrast with the company’s colours without too much stress in the imagery of the video.
- Engage with your audience: In line with the first and second steps, preparing all the material to engage with your audience will make the live smooth and flawless. Ask your viewers questions, respond to their comments, and make them feel like they’re a part of the conversation. Preparing some questions ahead as ice breakers in moments of quietness.
- Be yourself: Be authentic and natural, and don’t try to be someone you’re not. Being nervous on a live camera is a common experience, but there are several techniques you can try to help manage your nerves and feel more comfortable in front of the camera like being well prepared, deep breathing or positive self-talk. Your viewers will appreciate your honesty and authenticity more than anything.
- Have fun: Enjoy the experience and don’t take yourself too seriously. Remember, going live on camera is an opportunity to connect with your audience and share your knowledge and expertise.
Live shopping is becoming increasingly important for brands as people are missing that human connection when shopping online. Therefore, the event doesn’t have to be perfect, mistakes will give credibility to the brand and viewers will feel more connected to the host. The engagement in live shopping is higher than any other form of communication due to the nature of live events. If you follow this guide before each live event you will for sure master it once you’ve done a few sessions.
