You know how old people like to say, “Everything old is new again”?
It makes us feel like we’re still relevant – like the young people of today envy our fashion, music, and way of life.
Well, this one’s for you, guy.
These young whippersnappers with their TikTok and Temu … They have no idea that their Great Aunt Irma thought of live-stream shopping first.
That’s right – many moons ago, QVC and HSN were the hottest tickets in town. We’d spend hours watching a woman named Darlene demonstrate the absorbency of paper towels while wearing a sequined vest.
And yeah, we’d make fun of us, too – if it wasn’t so painfully obvious that today’s retailers and marketing directors are trying to catch the same lightning in a bottle (cha-ching) with things like Amazon Live and “TikTok made me buy it” hacks.
We were staring at screens and making four easy payments of $19.99 for all kinds of crap to hoard in our homes (before it was cool!).
And that’s the beauty of it – it’s still cool.
Brands, listen up: live-stream video will absolutely up your marketing game. And not just for e-comm or products (although this is the hot live-streaming trend right now). Live commerce and other forms of live-stream content meet your customers where they are and can do wonders for your online sales and overall engagement.
We’re talking live streams for days:
- Product demos (obviously)
- How-Tos (like this company that hosts “sew-ins” – we love it)
- Live Q&As or pop-up fireside chats
- GRWM/influencer videos (Get Ready With Me, but you knew that, right?)
- Instant shoppable assets in the chat
- Trends that don’t even exist yet
If you thought short-form video was big, wait ’til you see what happens with live-stream marketing. Let’s gooooo (as the kids say)!
The Streaming Takeover: By the Numbers
We’re not saying you need to sell lavender soy candles via TikTok Live (unless … do you?), but the data on live commerce and streaming video statistics speak for themselves:
- 45% of consumers have participated in a live shopping event on platforms like Amazon Live or Poshmark.
- 61% have browsed or shopped through social video channels like TikTok Shop or Instagram Reels.
- 83% of Gen Z and 58% of Millennials use live commerce (i.e. the same folks you’re desperately trying to convert on every other platform).
So while you’re still obsessing over your email open rate and that edgy carousel post on LinkedIn, your competitors are out here livestreaming product drops, booking appointments, and stacking sales in real time.
Don’t worry, we’ve got pro tips below to help you.
Why Live Stream Marketing Works
Let’s break down why live video is the apex predator of marketing content:
- Authenticity wins. No filters, no script, no fake stock office team nodding in unison. Just your brand, talking to people like actual humans.
- Sky-high engagement. Live video gets more comments and higher watch time compared to pre-recorded content. It’s the now that hooks people.
- Algorithms love live. Every major platform prioritizes live content. Why? Because people watch it.
- Evergreen gold. That live Q&A? You now have clips for social, a blog, a highlight reel, and a CTA magnet for weeks.
Still asking “How does live video streaming work?” Keep reading for a few examples that will help you envision actually doing it for your brand.
5 Ways Smart Brands Use Live Streaming
Whether you’re slinging lawn services or haute couture, there’s a streaming strategy with your name on it. Here are some use cases with actual brains behind them:
- Product Launches: Real-time demos, hype comments, and immediate feedback. Think “launch, learn, sell.”
- Behind-the-Scenes Access: Show how the croissants get made, literally. For a luxury hotel? Stream morning prep. For a fashion line? Behind the shoot. People eat up BTS like it’s prestige TV – or, perhaps more accurately, like it’s Saturday, midnight and your mom hasn’t had a bathroom break in hours thanks to QVC.
- Live Q&As: Brands like Glossier and Sephora crush this on Instagram. Real people ask real questions and you answer them — live. Brand trust skyrockets. (It helps to actually sell kick-ass products, by the way.)
- Influencer Collabs: Fashion Nova lives here. TikTok influencers with 3 million followers hop on live, wearing the product and dropping codes in the chat. **Carts fill instantly**
- Service Demos: Got a plumbing biz? Home renovation company? Show a real fix in real-time. Customers see your expertise instead of just reading a five-star Yelp review from 2017.
We’re doing a bit more than spit-balling here, but obviously you’ll need to gather your smartest people in the room and take the right amount of time to plan before firing up your first live stream.
Here are some quick best practices to help you avoid looking silly (also, it’s OK if you look or feel silly before you hit your stride – experimentation, baby!).
P.S. You don’t need to spend a ton to start livestream marketing, which is great if you are looking to engineer some engagement through video on a budget.
Best Practices: Don’t Just Go Live. Go Smart.
On a live stream, viewers see your skills, professionalism, and personality (if you have one) all at once.
Bonus points if there’s a surprise raccoon or drywall collapse. Nothing says “authentic” like a little chaos, but it’s good to avoid the bad kind of chaotic energy.
Here are five quick tips to do just that:
- Don’t be a control freak. Outline your talking points (not your next novel).
- Promote it like it’s a Beyoncé drop. Send emails. Post countdowns. Tease what’s coming.
- Engage on camera. Use comments, polls, and shout-outs like they’re confetti. Make your viewers feel seen.
- Tech check. Decent lighting, solid audio, stable Wi-Fi. And for the love of Darlene, have a backup plan.
- Repurpose. Clip it. Share it. Transcribe it. Turn it into a YouTube Short, a Reel, a TikTok, and your next team bonding icebreaker.
To sum it up: Live streaming isn’t just for makeup tutorials and crypto bros explaining “how the algorithm works.” It’s a powerful format for any industry — yes, even yours — to build trust and drive conversions.
At Hackstone, we don’t do boring streams or awkward monologues in bad lighting. We combine the art and the science of content that works — for brand building through video marketing, for performance and analytics success, and for the spreadsheet your CFO cries over.
Let’s build a live video strategy that makes people pay attention. And buy. And remember.
Book your free consultation with our team before your next stream is just … sad. Your Great Aunt Irma would want you to be happy, after all.