You've all
noticed the Live button on Facebook. Maybe you've also swiped over it a time or
two, in consideration of clicking on it, though never quite ready. You watch
someone else do it with ease, talking to their audience, mocking comments, and
getting comfortable with the camera on.
Going live
on Facebook is something you do with that first click and turn it all into
reality. So, turn it into something people want, something that makes them
crave the next. That is your hook. And if you are live streaming for
entertainment, relationships, or business, how to go live on Facebook and how
to hook your viewers is more important than ever.
Under a photo-staged,
predetermined update, going live excites people. Because it’s raw. It’s
unedited. You can’t replicate the experience of seeing a live stream in real
time, uncut, unedited, from a person. It causes people to pause on the scroll.
Your live
stream shows up at the top of your feed, a more prominent post than a normal
photo post or text status. That's additional views, and if you got it right,
additional stops to look. Beyond the algorithm, where do the real rewards lie?
It's in conversation. Others can comment and answer back while you stream live.
You answer back in a moment. It's not an announcement; it's a dialogue.
You don't need
a studio. You don't need studio gear. All you need is a smartphone or laptop
with a microphone and a camera, and then you're good to go.
To go
live from your phone,
go through the Facebook app, tap on the “Live” feature, and give permission for
use of the microphone and the camera. Add a brief description so your viewers
know what your stream is about. Choose your option for the privacy settings, do
you want it to live for the whole world or just friends, then tap on “Start
Live Video.”
On a
computer, navigate
to your page/page profile, select “Live Video,” select your camera and
microphone, and then enter your stream of information. You are able to select
live now, or schedule later. When everything is ready, select “Go Live.”
If you are
a new user and you want to practice when there are no other people watching,
you can adjust your privacy level to “Only Me” so you can practice in private.
Then you can check your frame and audio and get familiar with it for a while
until you add other people.
This is the
section that scares you the most typically.
Begin with
a warm hello to the viewers. Even though there are no viewers yet, assume there
are. Welcome and then introduce a short summary of what the livestream will be
discussing. Speak in a relaxed, conversational tone, as if you were speaking to
someone in person.
You can go
live to:
·
Share
something you’re currently working on.
·
Release
news or a new product.
·
Share
a behind-the-scenes experience with your followers.
·
Answer
questions in real time.
·
Provide
brief how-to instructions.
·
Talk
about something significant.
·
Discuss
anything that has been on your mind.
Just in
case you worry about freezing, write down a few notes in advance so you can
sense where you're going with the material. Don't overthink it, though.
Spontaneity is all part of the live experience.
You have
only a matter of seconds when someone joins your stream, so you must keep them
around. That is where the hook comes in.
It can
originate anywhere. It can be a strong statement or a strong belief that gives people
pause, and they listen. It can be a question that raises an answer or a clean
value showing the viewer what he/she is about to get in the video. It can at
times be a quote or an emotional anecdote. It can at times be an element of
surprise in the background, making people curious.
However you
catch people, you must catch people immediately! Ideally, in the first minute.
The earlier you give people a reason for being there, the earlier you benefit. It’s how you convert attention
into interest and interest into loyalty.
One of the
benefits of Facebook Live is that you get to converse with your audience rather
than broadcasting to your audience. You are not lecturing. You are opening a
conversation.
When people
enter, welcome them. Answer their comments out loud. Try them out. Invite them
in. Regardless of whether you have crowds or not, treat them like VIPs. The
more you talk, the faster you'll hold on to them, and the greater your
likelihood of seeing them again. And when there's no one paying attention? Do
it anyway. More livestreams are viewed when livestreamed a second time than
when first livestreamed. Talk as though someone is listening each time, for
there probably is.
Your video
does not disappear when you go live. Facebook saves your live video as a
regular video post on your page or profile. This gives you a second chance to
interact with people who have missed your live stream.
Something
you can do next is this:
·
Restate
the caption so that it sounds more engaging.
·
Pin
a relevant comment with a call to action or summary.
·
Share
the replay in your story/relevant group.
·
Clip
one highlight and display it individually.
·
Comment
on any post you missed.
·
Save
the entire recording for future use on other channels.
Your livestream
doesn't die after you go offline. It gets added to your persistent library. One
live can do a whole lot.
There is not
a single rule. Some go live each week. Others go once a day. Consistency is
everything. As long as people are aware you go live each Tuesday at noon, then
people are going to come back for it. However, when you go live only every few
months, people are not even going to realize it.
Choose a
rhythm that you're comfortable with. It doesn't have to be in sync. It simply
has to be consistent. Just as with any habit, the more you do something, the
stronger it is. And the bigger you get, the bigger your confidence.
Yes. Pages
provide features like insights, schedule features, and greater reach.
No. It’ll
do with a working phone camera and a small amount of sunlight.
Keep
working. Reps are worth something; consistency builds upon growth.
Yes. Take
it away or hide it when you want but retain it. Imperfect lives also show your
uniqueness.
Test with
early evenings when people are in a phase where they are likely to pick up your
phones. Gradually observe when your audience is most engaged and post
accordingly.