Have you seen the latest updates on Facebook that allow users to stream a live video on their Facebook pages? In the past these live streaming videos were reserved for users who were verified (that blue check that’s reserved for celebrities and highly engaged users), but now it’s available to all Facebook pages…..kinda.
I say “kinda” because it’s really only available via mobile devices and won’t work from your desktop or laptop. You have to shoot the video from your iPhone. If you have an Android device it looks like it should be rolling out to you soon. Users across all different devices can view your live video, but not from all apps. This is where it all gets a little hazy.
Tips & FAQs for Facebook Live
- Announce or schedule the live event before going live. Let your followers know when you’re going to be live and invite them to join you.
- Make sure you have a good connection before getting started.
- All pages can live stream from iPhones devices that have been updated to the current operating system.
- Before starting the video, type a short message to your followers to let them know what the video is about.
- After you click on the video streaming button you’ll be greeted with a “Live Video on Facebook” screen and a “continue” button.
- Once you click “continue” you’ll be live!
- Welcome your viewers and let them know who you are and why you’re live today. Think of it like a blog post, you wouldn’t write a blog post without an introduction.
- Ask your viewers to subscribe to your videos. When they are watching live there will be a button in the top righthand side of the screen to subscribe to upcoming videos. Facebook will notify you when they are live again.
- Mobile viewers may not be able to see your live video if they are watching from a Facebook app. They may need to go to their browser and open Facebook there to see you live.
- Viewers can comment while watching you live. Be sure to acknowledge your viewers and interact with them live. They especially love the personal attention when you call them by name or recognize they are there.
- You can flip the camera during a broadcast but expect some glitches when you do this, viewers may notice delays or pauses in the broadcast. If they comment that they are experiencing difficulties you can ask they to refresh their browser and rejoin the video.
- When you are finished broadcasting and have ended the video you can go back and answer any questions you may have missed. You can reply to them in text just like any regular Facebook post.
- If you create some really good content you can embed the Facebook post on a website or blog page.
What types of content could you live stream?
- Special events
- DIY projects
- Recipes or cooking demonstrations
- Inspirational messages to your fans
- Product demonstrations
- Tutorials
- Giveaways
- Behind the scene tours
- Live Q&A with fans
What I’ve noticed after just a few live streaming events is that your Facebook engagement and reach is so much better than a regular Facebook post.
Why not just use Periscope or YouTube? The fact is that your fans may already be on Facebook. Most of us spend hours a day with Facebook open. Your chances of catching your fans on Facebook is generally better than Periscope and YouTube. Unlike Periscope, viewers can be on mobile devices, desktops or laptops. We each have our own followers and we know where they hang out, the key is to meet them where they are most likely to find you.
For more information about Facebook Live:
https://www.facebook.com/facebookmedia/best-practices/live