Earlier this year, Facebook rolled out a new feature on their platform called Facebook Live. It is designed to let users broadcast videos in real-time. As you are streaming, you will see the number of people viewing the video as well as their names and comments. Once done, your video will be saved to your timeline and it’s up to you whether to keep it there or delete it.
“Live is like having a TV camera in your pocket. Anyone with a phone now has the power to broadcast to anyone in the world. When you interact live, you feel connected in a more personal way. This is a big shift in how we communicate, and it’s going to create new opportunities for people to come together,”Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, stated in his Facebook page last April.
But aside from revolutionizing the way social media users communicate and stay in touch with their loved ones, Facebook Live also adds a new avenue for marketers to increase brand awareness and boost engagement among their target audience.
“With more than 1.5 billion users worldwide, Facebook has a real opportunity to showcase breaking news, intimate personal moments, and behind-the-scenes stories from just about anywhere in a way that surpasses TV networks and challenges incumbents like Periscope. All of which is pretty incredible,” said Julia Greenberg of Wired.
While the launch of Live is also partly to lure more people and businesses to Facebook and encourage users to stay on the platform for as long as possible, this new feature can also be helpful for your brand and it is something that you and your marketing team should look into and maximize.
But how exactly can you use Facebook Live to your advantage? Here are six tips to get you started.
- Do a test run.
The thing with posting with Facebook Live is that there are no room for mistakes once you start streaming, similar with doing a live telecast. That’s why you should consider doing a test run or practice video before you go live. This way, you can ensure that your broadcast would be smooth and glitch-free.
During test runs, you need to take note of the resolution of the camera, clarity of audio, and the strength of internet connection.
- Be relatable.
Using Facebook Live is about being in touch with your audience, and while you’re streaming you need to be relatable enough. Smile and be welcoming, but go straight to the point and discuss what you promised. In addition, create a plan on how you will respond to comments and gauge the reaction of users.
- Create noise before going live.
A Facebook Live video will only be as good as the number of viewers it will attract. Prior to your broadcast date, make noise about your live streaming. Create some sort of teaser that will compel people to tune in. You can also increase the reach of your announcement through Facebook ads.
- Plan on how to increase views even after the broadcast.
Facebook Live videos are automatically posted on your timeline after streaming. Plan on how and when you’re going to share it again to maximize views. It’s advisable to share it shortly after the live streaming. Thank everyone who participated during broadcast and encourage others to watch the replay.
- Review results.
Facebook will provide information on how many people the video was able to reach, how many viewed it, how many stayed, and how many tuned out after just a few minutes. You can use details to plan your next live video and determine areas that you need to improve on.
- Share video on other platforms.
Facebook Live can also be repurposed and promoted on your other marketing platforms to increase reach, especially for videos that performed well in terms of views.
Facebook Live is a fairly new feature, but it can help you get stay ahead and dominate social media. Use it to broadcast your events, provide sneak peeks, create tutorials, and other types of video content that will bring you closer to your audience and brand’s success.
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