Tired of shouting into the void with flat product pages and lukewarm conversions? There’s a better way to sell: go live. Live shopping is turning product pitches into two-way conversations — and serious revenue.
With OneStream Live, you can host your first live shopping event across Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, your website, and more — all at once, without needing a production team or tech degree.
This guide isn’t about selling you a dream — it’s a step-by-step, real-world walkthrough of how to launch your first live shopping event using actual features available on OneStream Live.
In this Article:
This blog will show you how to:
- Set up a professional-looking stream (even if you’ve never done it before)
- Engage viewers in real time with product demos, Q&A etc.
- Stream simultaneously to multiple platforms and your website
- Convert passive followers into paying customers — live
Let’s get right into it.
What Exactly Is Live Shopping?
Live shopping (also known as livestream shopping or live selling) is a marketing strategy where you sell products via a live video stream, allowing viewers to buy products in real time during the broadcast. It’s a digital-age version of those home shopping TV channels – but now on social media and websites, with real-time audience interaction.
This trend first exploded in Asia (Taobao Live in China pioneered it) and has been rapidly growing worldwide. And for good reason: live shopping merges entertainment with instant purchasing.
It’s engaging, fun, and builds trust through authenticity. In fact, some brands have seen conversion rates near 30% during live streams – roughly 10× higher than typical e-commerce pages. (drip.com) No wonder industry forecasts predict live commerce sales will double in the U.S. by 2026 (to around $68 billion!).
How Can OneStream Live Help Me Host A Live Shopping Event?
Now that we know what live shopping is, the next question is: how do you actually pull it off? This is where OneStream Live comes in.
OneStream Live is a cloud-based live streaming platform that makes it easy to create and broadcast live or pre-recorded videos to multiple destinations at once. In essence, it’s like a one-stop shop for multistreaming and live production, which is perfect for hosting a live shopping event.
It provides an array of features and tools that simplify the tech side of live selling, so you can focus on presenting your products. Here are some of the key OneStream Live features that support live shopping:
All-in-One Live Studio
OneStream’s Studio is a browser-based live video studio where you can broadcast yourself and even host guests. It’s packed with production features – you can invite guests (imagine co-hosting with an influencer or having a product expert join in), share your screen or play videos, and brand your stream with your logo, banners, and custom overlays.
This means your live shopping stream can look professional and on-brand, with your colors and graphics. You can even add fun elements like countdown timers or intro videos to hype up the event. It’s all user-friendly, and no complex software is needed. If you can operate a web app, you can use OneStream Live Studio.
Multistreaming to 45+ Platforms
OneStream Live allows you to broadcast your live video to 45+ social media platforms and the web simultaneously. That’s huge for reach and visibility.
You can go live on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, Twitch, Twitter – you name it – all at once, plus any custom RTMP destination (even a platform like TikTok or a specialized app, if you have the stream key). You’re no longer limited to choosing one platform for your event; you can cast a wide net.
For example, you could have the live shopping stream embedded on your website and going out to your Facebook Page and YouTube channel at the same time. Viewers can tune in on their preferred platform, and you’ll catch them all. This multistreaming is a key advantage, especially for brands with followers spread across different networks.
Hosted Live Pages and Website Embeds
If you have your own website or online store, OneStream Live provides ways to integrate your live video there too. It offers a Universal Embed Player – basically an embed code you can drop into any webpage to display your live stream. So you could create a “Live Shopping” page on your site, embed the video player, and customers can watch and shop without leaving your site.
Don’t have a website or landing page? No problem – OneStream Live’s Hosted Live Pages feature lets you generate a personalized live streaming page with just a few clicks. It’s a ready-made landing page for your event: you can choose a template, customize the look (colors, background, your logo, etc.), and even use your own domain name if you want.
These hosted pages come with useful extras like a live chat section and social share buttons, and you can add a clickable call-to-action button – perfect for a “Shop Now” or “View Product Details” link. In essence, OneStream Live ensures you have a home for your stream on the web, even if you aren’t tech-savvy or don’t want to set up a webpage yourself.
Real-time Audience Interaction (Unified Chat)
During a live shopping show, keeping up with viewer questions and comments is crucial. OneStream Live helps by aggregating all the comments from different streaming platforms into one Unified Chat interface.
So if someone asks a question on YouTube and another on Facebook, you’ll see both in one place and can respond without juggling apps. Engaging your audience becomes much easier when you’re not missing messages.
Plus, you can moderate chat or have a team member help field questions. The result: a lively two-way conversation with your shoppers, no matter where they’re watching from.
Pre-Recorded Streaming and Playlists
Not ready to go fully live? Camera shy? Or maybe you want to show a polished product demo video as part of your live event? OneStream Live has you covered with pre-recorded streaming options.
You can upload a pre-shot video (or even a series of videos as a playlist) and schedule it to stream “live” at a set time to your chosen platforms. Essentially, you “Go live without going live” – your viewers see a live broadcast, while you might be comfortably off-camera (or managing other tasks like answering chat questions).
This is a great way to ensure quality content (since you can edit it beforehand) and still get that live experience for your audience. Some sellers use this to air a pre-recorded segment (say, a professionally shot product showcase or a highlight reel), then jump in live at the end for Q&A.
You can also use pre-recorded streaming to run replays of your event for other time zones, maximizing reach. OneStream Live pioneered this feature, allowing scheduling up to 60 days in advance and even recurring streams.
Flexibility with RTMP and External Sources
OneStream Live is very flexible – if you already use an external streaming software (like OBS, Zoom, Ecamm, etc.), you can connect it via RTMP to OneStream Live. This means OneStream Live will take the feed from your preferred software and multistream it out to all your channels.
Some brands do this if they have a specific broadcasting setup they love, or if they’re running a Zoom-based shopping webinar and want to simulcast it to social media. It’s good to know you’re not locked in – OneStream Live plays nicely with others.
You could even use OneStream Live Studio and pull in an RTMP feed from elsewhere as a source if needed. Basically, whatever your streaming workflow, OneStream Live can likely accommodate it.
Team Collaboration
For enterprise brands or even growing small businesses, live shopping might be a team effort (one person on camera, others handling chat or technical aspects). OneStream Live offers a team management feature that lets you invite team members to your OneStream Live account with controlled permissions.
For example, you can have an assistant schedule streams or moderate comments without giving them your personal account login or full admin rights to your socials. This is handy to streamline collaboration while keeping security in check.
In short, OneStream Live supports your live shopping event end-to-end. It lets you go live everywhere at once, make your stream look professional with Studio tools, directly show your products on-screen, host the stream on your website or a custom page, and even use pre-recorded videos if needed.
All of this comes with easy audience engagement through unified chat and the flexibility to integrate other tools. In other words, OneStream Live provides a comprehensive live shopping solution – you bring the products and personality, it provides the platform and production value.
How Do I Host My First Live Shopping Event With OneStream Live? (Step-By-Step)
Alright, let’s get practical! Hosting your first live shopping event might sound daunting, but we’ll break it down into simple steps.
Here’s how you can go from zero to live-selling hero with OneStream Live:
1. Plan Your Event & Pick the Products
Start with a curated list—top 5 products, limited-time deals, or seasonal bundles work great. Choose a date and time when your target audience is most active (consider time zones!). Hype it up in advance: teaser posts, countdowns, email blasts. Treat it like an actual event—because it is.
Set up a clean, quiet streaming space. Good lighting, a reliable mic, and either a solid webcam or smartphone are all you need. Do a quick test run to make sure your visuals and audio are crisp.
2. Set Up OneStream Live & Connect Platforms
Sign up at OneStream Live — it’s quick and free to start. From your dashboard, connect your social channels (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, etc.) or custom RTMP destinations for multistreaming.
Don’t have a website? Use OneStream’s Hosted Live Pages to instantly create a branded page for your live online shopping stream. Already have a site? Embed your stream using the Embed Player—just copy-paste the code and go live right on your storefront.
3. Choose How You’ll Go Live
For a first-time host, OneStream Live Studio is your best bet. It’s browser-based, beginner-friendly, and doesn’t require any downloads. You can also use pre-recorded videos for a polished “mock live” experience or stream through an external encoder like OBS or Zoom via RTMP.
Whether you’re doing a live video shopping demo or broadcasting a recorded product walkthrough, OneStream Live gives you full control over how you show up.
4. Brand and Prepare Your Stream
Inside the Studio, add your logo, choose custom overlays, upload intros/outros, or create banners with promo codes. Want to show off product videos or slides? Use the media sharing and screen share features to demo your products visually and professionally.
Need to bring in a guest or influencer? Send a secure invite link and feature multiple presenters with multi-layout options. Practice with your co-hosts to ensure everything runs smoothly.
5. Schedule and Promote Your Stream
You can go live instantly, but scheduling gives you an edge. Set your title, description, and destinations. Platforms like Facebook and YouTube send out event announcements—use that to build anticipation.
Promote the event across all channels with engaging posts and clear CTAs: “Join us live this Friday at 7 PM for exclusive offers and real-time Q&A!”
6. Go Live and Engage in Real Time
When it’s showtime, hit “Go Live” and kick things off with energy. Introduce yourself, give a quick rundown of what’s coming, and keep things interactive. Ask questions, respond to comments, and make it personal.
With OneStream’s Unified Chat, you can manage viewer questions across multiple platforms in one dashboard—no tab juggling. This is your moment to shine and make the live shopping experience truly engaging.
7. Wrap Up, Follow Up, and Repurpose
End the session with a recap of key products and any limited-time deals. Thank your audience, and invite them to follow you for the next live stream shopping session.
After the stream, download the stream recording to repurpose into short product clips or an evergreen version of your shopping event.
That’s it! It’s a bit of work, but as you can see, OneStream Live takes care of many technical details (multistreaming, displaying products, handling chat). With each event you host, you’ll become more comfortable and probably start getting creative with format and promotions. Who knows – live shopping might become a regular (and very profitable) part of your marketing strategy.
Who’s Doing Live Shopping Successfully? (Real-World Examples)
If you’re wondering whether all this effort is worth it, just look at how both small businesses and major brands are already winning with live shopping events. Let’s explore a few inspiring examples that show the range of what’s possible:
Big Brands Making It a Show
Nordstrom launched a dedicated live stream shopping platform on its site, embedding YouTube livestreams for themed sales like “Holiday Gift Picks.” Customers could shop while watching stylists demo products in real time. (drip.com)
Aldo collaborated with influencers for a TikTok-style live event, pulling in 17,000+ viewers and achieving a jaw-dropping 308% engagement rate. (drip.com)
Walmart and Bloomingdale’s took it further, with influencer-led streams, sample kits for VIPs, and exclusive viewer perks — turning live shopping into a full-blown digital experience. (creativecircle.com)
Lesson: Treat your stream like an event. Promote it. Add exclusive offers. Use Studio and branding tools in OneStream Live to give your show a polished, on-brand feel.
DTC Brands Using Influencers
CAIA Cosmetics saw a 5% conversion rate (above their website average) just by hosting a live tutorial with their founder. Simple, direct, and personal. (drip.com)
Quivr, a small coffee beverage company, started doing live streams on Amazon Live to tap into an audience already primed to shop. The founder reported that it’s “like clockwork” – whenever he goes live, sales in the next 24 hours jump by around 150%. That’s an incredible ROI for an hour-long stream, essentially one live demo doubling their daily sales (drip.com).
Lesson: Test different channels. Multistream. Let your data (and viewers) tell you where to focus next.
Creative Campaigns That Cut Through
KitKat Australia turned live selling into a social campaign. Viewers ordered customized chocolates via Facebook Live using a Messenger bot. The result? Over one-third of annual online sales from a single stream. (drip.com)
Lesson: Creative formats + clear call-to-actions = next-level engagement.
These examples underline a key point: live shopping works across industries and scales. Importantly, they also show that preparation and presentation style matter. Those who succeed treat live shopping like a new channel that deserves strategy – they promote the event, prepare engaging content (often including influencers or special offers), and follow through with an easy way for viewers to purchase.
OneStream Live can support you regardless of scale – if you’re small, it gives you the tools to appear professional and stream everywhere (like having your own mini TV network); if you’re larger, it provides the reliability and breadth (including custom RTMP for bespoke platforms and team features) to execute big campaigns.
So, take inspiration from these stories! Your live shopping event might start with just a handful of viewers and modest sales, but over time, you could grow it into a major revenue stream and a key part of your brand’s identity. The direct, human connection it creates with customers is invaluable and tends to snowball with consistency.
Final Words
Hosting a live shopping event may seem like a bold step, but with the right platform and approach, it can be both fun and highly rewarding. OneStream Live equips you with the technology to present your products live to the world, and hopefully this guide has given you the confidence and knowledge to make it happen.
In a nutshell, live shopping is all about connecting with your customers in real time and creating an experience that goes beyond a typical product page. When viewers can see your passion, hear the story behind each item, and get their questions answered on the spot, you build a connection and trust that often translates into sales and loyal fans of your brand.
Go ahead – host your first live shopping event and turn viewers into happy shoppers. Good luck, and happy streaming!
Go live, go viral.
Start your first shopping stream with OneStream Live today!
FAQ: Hosting Live Shopping with OneStream Live
Not at all. With OneStream Live, you can stream directly to social platforms like Facebook, YouTube, or Instagram. No website? No problem. Use OneStream’s Hosted Live Pages to create a professional streaming page in minutes. Got a site? Embed your stream with the Universal Embed Player and turn your storefront into a live shopping hub.
Just share clickable product links in the video description or live chat. Platforms like Facebook and Instagram also support pinned comments or shoppable tags. OneStream Live helps you multistream to all of them at once—just make sure each product link is easily accessible during the broadcast.
Absolutely. Use Pre-Recorded Streaming to broadcast polished videos as if live, while you manage the chat behind the scenes. Or go live with just slides or product videos using screen share in OneStream Studio. Want someone else on camera? Invite a guest or team member to host—no need to be in front of the lens yourself.
Over 45, including Facebook (Pages, Groups, Profiles), YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram Live, Twitch, Twitter, and even custom RTMP destinations like TikTok. You can go live on multiple accounts at once—even on the same platform—maximizing reach and visibility for your live shopping ecommerce event.
Yes, there’s a free plan to get you started. It supports basic multistreaming with some feature limits. For serious sellers, the paid plans offer more platforms, longer stream durations, cloud storage, and Full HD quality. The ROI? One good stream can pay for the upgrade.
OneStream Live is a cloud-based live streaming solution to create, schedule, and multistream professional-looking live streams across 45+ social media platforms and the web simultaneously. For content-related queries and feedback, write to us at [email protected]. You’re also welcome to Write for Us!
