Livestream on Facebook
Livestream on Facebook
1. Plan the content of your livestream by considering your goals and objectives.
The livestream format is particularly suited for more casual or conversational content that engages and interacts with viewers. Some ideas for livestream content: Host a Q&A with a company executive. Interview a guest. Show behind-the-scenes content. Announce a new product, service, or campaign. Demonstrate how to use your product. Broadcast a live event.
2. Prepare for your livestream by creating an outline, choosing and scheduling hosts, and acquiring any needed supplies.
Creating an outline will keep your livestream on topic and professional. For your outline, write out your necessary talking points and determine who is saying what. Depending on the content type, you may also consider writing out demo instructions, interview questions, dialogue, or contest rules.
3. Promote your livestream by announcing what time you are going live, the topic, and the reason why people should watch.
Some ways to build excitement before your livestream are by announcing a giveaway, contest, or surprise guest. You can also reach out to your email list and other social media channels to promote the livestream.
4. Set up your camera, equipment, any needed supplies, and on-camera people before your livestream.
You can record your livestream using a smartphone without any additional equipment, but there are some additional tools to consider: Tripod: Stabilizes your video. External smartphone lens: Clip-on lens that improves smartphone camera quality. Microphone: Improves sound quality and comes in many varieties. Ring light: Inexpensive lighting equipment that reduces harsh shadows. Camera with SDI or HDMI output: Although unnecessary, you can improve audio and video quality by investing in a professional livestreaming camera.
5. Click the Live Video button below What's on Your Mind? at the top of your Facebook newsfeed or profile page.
6. Check your settings in the Setup panel, add a relevant title, and click Go Live to begin your livestream.
A preview page will appear before your video goes live and show which camera and microphone are being accessed. The name of the microphone and camera should match the ones you are trying to use. For example, if you are using a desktop computer without an external microphone, your camera selection should say something like FaceTime HD Camera, and your microphone selection should say Internal Microphone (Built-in). You can livestream through a phone, computer, streaming software, or a paired encoder. In the Settings panel, you can turn on auto-generated captions, allow viewers to rewind, and allow viewers to message you. Auto-generated captions add accessibility to your video.
7. Interact with viewers during your livestream by reading and engaging with live comments.
Facebook livestream comments appear over your video during the livestream. You can encourage those watching the video on replay to comment as well, #replay is a common comment. Use comments during or after the livestream to gauge audience sentiment.
8. Consider co-broadcasting with another Facebook user remotely, using the built-in Live With feature.
You can host interviews or conversations with this feature. Asking the guest to promote the livestream may help you increase your audience size.
9. Click Finish when you are done and upload the video to your profile, group, or page.
Publishing your livestream once it’s over will allow anyone who missed the stream or wants to watch it again to view, like, comment on, repost, or share the video.