Video is no longer the preserve of big brands with expensive hardware and software. Smaller businesses and individuals have been getting involved since early last year, which is why video streaming is set to explode in the next 12 months.
Streaming video live is now inexpensive and easy - but there are some simple tips you need to follow to make the most of this exciting marketing channel.
In a short period of time, Facebook has propelled itself to challenge YouTube for dominance in video. In particular, Facebook Live has grown at a phenomenal rate, with video posts doubling in number in the last year.
Live video streaming creates a sense of urgency that recorded video lacks. Video posts not only reach more people (135% more reach than image only posts) they are more engaging (live viewers watch for 3 times longer) and provide greater interaction (10 times the comments of recorded video).
Not only that, they allow you to give your brand a human face whilst providing a great source of shareable content (archived videos often have more viewers than the live broadcast).
Like any other marketing medium, planning your Facebook Live broadcast is key. First, you need to identify who your target audience is, as this will determine both your theme and your time of broadcast.
Next, you need to establish what it is that you want to accomplish. Are you looking for new customers, leads, publicity, email subscribers, or page likes?
Then figure out where you need to send people, such as a landing page, business page, or another social network. Finally, you need to choose a theme for your broadcast, to help you get started here are a few suggestions...
The simplest way to get started on Facebook Live is by using a smartphone or tablet. It's especially useful for show & tell and allows more flexibility in your broadcast location.
However, it can be very hard to keep up with and respond to comments and the audio may have a short range. Wobbly arm syndrome is obviously going to be an issue, though you can mount the device on a stand to resolve this (as we did at #SMWLDN).
Alternatively, you can actually stream Facebook Live from your desktop. If you have Windows 10, you just need to download the free app. Unlike on a mobile device, there is no risk of video wobble and less chance of connection interruptions. It also makes it easier to follow and respond to comments.
For those with a bit of budget, it's worth investing in an external camera and microphone. And if you are a Mac user or want to stream to other services there is software out there to help, like OBS Studio, which allows you to both screen share and stream video.
If you can, then broadcast from your desktop using an external microphone & camera. Test, test and test again, especially the connection (or watch it go south like the BuzzFeed Obama interview).
When framing your broadcast there are some obvious things you should avoid. If you have a panel of people being questioned, pick a side never sit in the middle or you create a back and forth tennis match. Don’t have the camera 3 miles from you, Facebook Live is supposed to be personal not a U2 gig.
Equally, don’t broadcast a disembodied head – people want to see you, not your tonsils! And if you are facing directly into the camera make sure you make eye contact with it (so to speak), or it will look like you are thinking about your shopping list rather than the audience.
As I mentioned earlier, try and get a colleague to field the questions, namecheck the viewer in your answer. You need to stay on topic - so it goes without saying - ignore the crazies, believe me, no matter how dry your subject matter they will there.
As mentioned before, there are loads of ways that you can re-purpose your Facebook Live videos. It goes without saying that you could publish a blog based around your video content - in fact you're reading a blog supporting our Facebook Live session at #SMWLDN right now!
In addition to re-purposing techniques there are also advanced features and best practices that will help you to optimize and promote your Facebook Live events which we will detail in another blog - coming soon!
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