The countdown is on: You’re about to Facebook Live. Your heart is racing, as you’re about to join millions of users across the globe who are all jumping on the live video bandwagon. It’s a smart digital marketing move: 78% of online audiences are watching video on Facebook Live, a trend that will likely only continue to grow.
Before you begin, read through these tips to ensure success:
Show, don’t tell
Don’t go live just for the sake of going live. It’s the quickest way to get people to tune in, only to then tune out immediately. So, having a game plan is key.
When going live, it’s just as important to show something as it is to give the story or explanation behind it. Don’t assume that people just want to hear you talk (they don’t). Make sure that you have something to show. And no, not a presentation, town hall meeting or people sitting around a table. Users seek out videos that engage them, that add to their day. Facebook Live is a great platform to share a new product demo, or offer viewers a sneak peek behind the scenes of your organization. Get creative!
Interact with your audience
Engagement is the name of the game on Facebook and, when it comes to Facebook Live, it’s all about interacting with your viewers. Not only will it encourage people to engage in real time, but it’ll help your ranking in others’ News Feeds as well. When someone leaves a comment on your live stream, it is going to feed to their followers, and in turn extend your reach. If you address the comments as you go, it paves the way for others to jump in on the conversation. In fact, viewers comment 10 times more on Facebook Live videos than regular ones. Live comments and reactions are what make the experience so engaging. It feels more like a conversation.
Repeat, repeat and repeat again
To reach more folks, broadcast for longer periods of time. 30 to 45 minutes is ideal. It gives users a chance to come across your video and share it with friends. Feeling bold? Facebook allows you to stay live for up to four hours a time. Wowza!
With time in mind, it’s important to know that audiences are coming and going, so constant repetition is essential. You can never reintroduce yourself or let the audience know what’s happening enough. It might sound a little something like:
“Hey, if you’re just tuning in, I’m Sarah Cook, a wannabe surfer girl. We’re live at Goofy Foot Surf School on the island of Maui where instructors are teaching us some surfing tips on the sand before we hit the waves. Right now, we’re learning how to pop up on our boards. Let me show you…”
(Hey, can ya blame a gal for dreaming?)
Tip: Audio is imperative on this channel. If your audience can’t hear what’s happening, they are likely to complain in the comments or disconnect from the live stream.
It’s almost time to hit that “start” button, but first, have something ready to show, be prepared to interact with your audience and remember to constantly repeat yourself. Ready? And three, two, one … LIVE!
