Have you recorded a Facebook Live video yet? If not, it’s time to join the trend.
Live streaming is here to stay, and estimates suggest it will be a \$70+ billion industry by 2021 . Beyond the financial growth, video has become an essential part of marketing strategy, with 81% of businesses implementing video in their marketing efforts as of December 2017.
The reason is obvious: people love watching videos.
In fact, 72% of people would chose video over text to learn about a product or service.
Video, especially if it’s live-streamed, is an effective medium for reaching your audience in a relatable, attention-grabbing way. But before you rush to your phone and start recording a FB Live on the spot, there are some considerations to make.
Here are 5 tips to turn that next livestream into a winner.
Don’t assume people will come or will even know you’re going to be Live. Let people know ahead of time. Facebook suggests at least a day of lead time. The more effort you put into promoting your upcoming broadcast, the more likely you’ll be able to draw people when you go Live.
Another tip here is to ask viewers to subscribe to Live notifications. This is key. Both Live videos and videos that were live have a “Follow” button. This is a great way to motivate you to record more than one video, and it will keep people coming back when you have something new to offer.
In our age of distractions, insistent notifications, and constantly evolving social media feeds, this tip seems out of place. The fact is, Facebook Live videos will garner more attention at longer durations.
How long? Facebook recommends a minimum of 10 minutes for your video. The reason is that even if you did due diligence and let people know about your Live video, you didn’t reach everyone— and you want to maximize the chances of people watching, right? Recording for a decent length of time will give people scrolling through their feeds a better chance of happening on your video.
This plays out in a couple different ways.
Greet them by name when they join, answer questions as they pop up in the comments, and generally be outgoing and enjoyable to watch. Even if your video is informational, you can still find ways to connect.
This is where the personal part comes in. Yes, there may be times when looking more cleaned up and professional is desirable, but don’t think it’s required. People want to form connections, to feel included. Accomplishing that could be as simple as recording at your local coffee shop to give people a glimpse into how you brainstorm business strategy.
The level to which you’re personal versus professional should align with your your brand’s tone. A video by a B2B tech company won’t have the same feel as one by a graphic artist entrepreneur. Ultimately, the goal is to connect, not give a hard sell.
This isn’t a requirement. Whether you choose to use a tripod depends on your needs and goals. A tripod will ensure a stable, professional shot, but part of the attraction of Live video is the natural feel it provides. So evaluate what you want to accomplish and plan accordingly.
If you’re going to be walking around, say at a conference, a selfie stick or handheld tripod is a great option to provide stability.
While being personal and friendly is important, you don’t want to come across as an amateur. Do yourself—and your viewers—a favor and use a quality mic.
Faint, garbled, or otherwise difficult to hear sound quality won’t cut it. In other words, if your audio leaves you audience feeling like it’s hearing Algebra 2 taught in the middle of a thunderstorm over a spotty radio connection, it’s time for an upgrade. There are plenty of good mics out there that don’t to cost an arm and a leg, wired and wireless, depending on your needs. Better to fork out some money and produce videos you can be proud of.
Don’t fall into the notion that, “If I record, they will come.” That may be true to some extent; however, certain times of day are better suited to tapping that red “Go Live” button. If possible, you should aim for going live between 1-3pm and 6-9pm.
With these tips in hand, you’re on your way to creating effective, engaging Facebook Live videos that people will love.
What tips do you have for creating a great Facebook Live video?