The power of voice: Investigating the effects of streamer voice characteristics on sales performance in live streaming E-commerce

Abstract

Live streaming e-commerce has transformed online shopping by combining real-time interaction with visual demonstrations, making streamers' performances crucial to sales outcomes. However, the consequences of streamers' interactive voice on consumers' decision remain underexplored. Grounded in dual process theory, this study investigates how emotional vocal cues (pitch and intensity) and informational vocal cues (speech rate) in streamers' voices influence sales performance, and how these effects vary across different product types. We collected real-time data from Douyin, a popular live streaming platform in China, and developed a fixed effects model for analysis. The results indicate that streamers’ voice characteristics are highly persuasive, with pitch and speech rate positively impacting sales performance, while intensity has a negative effect. Additionally, emotional vocal cues are more effective in strengthening purchases for experience products, while informational vocal cues are more effective for search products. This research enhances the understanding of voice characteristics in live streaming e-commerce, offering actionable insights for streamers and platform managers to optimize sales strategies.