Proactive’s Guide to using Facebook Live

Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we are open to new ways of thinking and communicating with our target audiences.
Facebook Live is a powerful way to connect with your viewers and offers many benefits to your business and brand.

You can go live on Facebook to broadcast a conversation, performance, Q&A or virtual event within a Page, in a group or an event, and the live video will also appear in people’s News Feed. It is a cost-effective means of communicating on social media, providing your viewers with completely new and unique content. As an instant, real-time source of content, Facebook Live is more engaging for viewers. You can connect with your audience directly to give a more personal experience and create a buzz around your product or service offering when announcing a new product launch, awards, new employees, etc. Videos are live and unedited, lending an air of authenticity and credibility to your message. Here’s our guide on how to get started.

How to go live on Facebook:

1. Click Create Post at the top of your News Feed.
2. Click the 3 dots then click Live Video.
3. Give Facebook access to your camera and microphone when prompted.
4. Write a compelling description of your live video to attract viewers.
5. Choose your privacy and posting settings.
6. Tag friends, choose your location or add an activity.
7. Set your camera’s orientation. (landscape/portrait)
8. Click Go Live in the bottom right.
9. Interact with viewers and comments. (Q&A session)
10. Click “Finish” to end the broadcast.
11. Post your reply and save the video.

Note: Use the Google Chrome web browser to go live from your computer.

Before going live on Facebook:

• Create a secret group to practise in and invite feedback from a small audience.
• Test your lighting, sound and other surrounding elements such as wifi speed and phone/camera quality. 
• Try both options (landscape/portrait) in a test run to see how you look for your audience. Vertical orientation is recommended for mobile-friendly delivery.
• Test the best times to go live (analytics will suggest the best times for your audience engagement)
• Publish a post announcing the upcoming live video on your Facebook page and other social channels a few days in advance.
• Publish a live video teaser on Facebook prior to going live to remind and encourage viewers to tune in. 
• Plan out your live content to give the video structure: include an introduction, middle, Q&A, and end.

Things to remember:

• Explain more about what the plan is, and give examples.
• Slow your speech down to a conversational speed. 
• Imagine you are having a conversation with someone as opposed to making an announcement.
• Reintroduce yourself throughout the live video, as new viewers may join at any stage 
• Encourage people to interact by liking/commenting and to subscribe to receive notification of the next live videos. 
• Most importantly, enjoy it!