A Guide to Using Facebook Live for Your Business

Live streaming is now commonplace among small companies as well as major broadcasting networks. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about growing your audience with Facebook Live, which has become a common platform for digital marketers.
Facebook Live is a live video streaming feature that lets you broadcast a live video to your viewers from your business page or personal profile. While many advertisers are still trying to get their minds around Facebook Live, those who are using it seem to be reaping the rewards.
When you make a Facebook Live stream, it will be saved to your website or profile for viewers who skipped the live event. Videos can appear in an individual's news feed both during and after the live event. However, the odds of watching a live video have increased after Facebook changed its rating algorithm to show more live videos that are streaming in real-time.
Facebook Live streaming content has grown in popularity, owing to social media's growing enthusiasm for live streaming features and the viewer interest in video events that are more immersive and less filtered than normal pre-produced content.
Facebook Live has risen to the top of the list for this kind of video material, ranked as one of the top three live streaming sites in 2020 across various age groups.
The surge in interest in live streaming shows no signs of abating as people change their social media and viewing preferences in 2021 and beyond. The question then becomes, how do you leverage that engagement for your brand?
Businesses who use Facebook Live on their accounts can tailor and monitor their crowd after the event has finished. When a page or person goes live, page followers and visitors receive a notification.

Why Do You Use Facebook Live?

You have already learned how powerful video marketing is, but did you know that Facebook Live videos earn 3X more engagement than non-live videos? According to AdWeek, Facebook Live videos are now 5X more common than regular photo posts.
If you want to boost brand recognition, get more leads through the house, or connect more with your existing clients, Facebook Live is a platform you can use.

How Do You Do It?

Thanks to new feature updates that enable business Pages to broadcast in the same way that personal accounts might previously, it is simpler than ever for brands to run a Facebook live stream.
Choose “Start a Live Video” from the options in the build post box if you want to start a Facebook Live video from a business Page. Depending on whether you are on mobile or laptop, the layout of this feature will change.
Then, with options to add elements like place, you might want to write a unique description. To start the broadcast, finish your setup and click "Start Live Video."
Any business can participate in Facebook Live because it is free and easy to use. It is crucial, though, to have a video plan in place before, during, and after the show.

Ideas to Boost Brand Awareness Using Facebook Live:

You should start using Facebook Live if you want to expand your brand. It is one of the most popular recent social media trends, and it will determine the popularity of your brand exposure in 2021 and beyond.
According to Social Media Now, more time is spent viewing streaming streams on Facebook than live videos. So, to expand your brand, you should be using Facebook Live.
What are your options for doing so? There are a plethora of suggestions for how to make a Facebook Live video go viral.
Remember that a live video remains on Facebook even after you have finished watching, so make it an interesting experience that people may like to watch again and again.
You can always go to any social media marketing company for expert advice but if you want to ace these Live interactions on your own, here are a few suggestions and creative ideas to ensure that:

1. Content and themes should be sourced from your community.

Your audience knows what they want, and the simplest way to bring high-value information to them is to simply ask them what they want to hear. Allowing people to choose a subject is the simplest way to get them excited about it. Run polling, specifically ask people what they want to see, or create themes based on audience questions and feedback.

2. Before you begin your Facebook live stream, promote it.

While the majority of the content we publish is accompanied by continuous promotion, it is important to note that live videos are more akin to an event than a blog post. In other words, if you want to get the all-important viewership, you must build excitement before the experience. The good news is that Facebook allows you to target specific activities and audiences for your promotions. This is ideal for a more targeted advertising campaign.
Creating an event is a very easy way to do this. This way, you will send customers something that can serve as a reminder of the case on the day itself.
To begin, you need to promote the upcoming announcement as much as possible on your Facebook account. Do not just tell the viewers that you will be streaming. Share something different and valuable any time you remind your audience. For example, mention a tip you will provide or the type of details you will be covering.

3. Prepare yourself by limiting distractions

Though Facebook Live videos are more relaxed and natural than a traditional tv commercial or YouTube video, you can always schedule ahead. You cannot afford to make a poor first impression on Live because your actions reflect your brand. This is especially true given that Live users watch videos three times longer than non-Live users.
Take some time to prepare before you broadcast your video. Remember that you can start with a private broadcast for testing and then use that strategy to test your lighting, sound, and other elements. To stop the dreaded "shaky cam" effect, invest in a tripod. Whether inside or outside, aim to reduce any unnecessary background noise and ambiance. When it comes to major Facebook Live planning advice, having a good broadband link will help a lot.

4. Make formatting decisions

When you are getting ready for your big debut, think about how you will film your video and when you will stream it. For example, you may broadcast horizontally or vertically using the Facebook Live app for iOS, depending on which gives you a better view.
As a test, try a bit of both and see how you seem to the crowd. Vertical photography will also make you seem too close to the camera, which is not suitable for an interview film. on the other hand, if you want to have an intimate behind-the-scenes conversation with your fans, that could be the vibe you are looking for.
The final aspect of formatting is how you will produce the content. Would you like to be a speaker, just one person? If you want to invite anyone? If you ever bring in guests, would it be in the form of an interview or a conversation? Start by asking yourself as many questions as you can think of, and then begin to answer them. If you cannot answer any of them, the idea may not be solid enough.

5. Choose the most suitable time to broadcast your Facebook Live

When it comes to making an impression on your audience, timing is everything. There are guidelines on when to host the videos, just as there are guidelines on when to send out email campaigns with the best responses. The last thing you want to do during a live-streaming function is to time your video to play while everyone in your target group is at work or sleeping.

6. Offer context constantly

You would automatically assume that introducing yourself and any other speakers at the start of your video broadcast is a good idea. After all, the initial goal, like that of a blog post, is to persuade people to stay. Visitors to Facebook Live, on the other hand, will enter the stream at any time. When more people arrive, go over the introduction and update the viewers with what is going on.
You should also take the opportunity to lay out the agenda and set expectations on what they should expect. When people know what is coming next, they are more inclined to stay and they're interested in what is going to be discussed.

7. Be responsive and interactive

Customers like the service because of the live feedback and responses. When you answer directly to their questions in person, it sounds almost like a two-way conversation. That is why Facebook Live generates ten times the amount of feedback as non-live videos.
Responding to comments that appear live on air is one of the most effective ways to improve online interaction. As you go along, this encourages more people to express their ideas and views. If you are worried about having so many comments to react to in one stream, you can always enlist the assistance of someone off-camera to guide the most related ones to you.
Giving shoutouts is another simple way to be interactive. When a Facebook Live video is over, it is immediately archived. This means you can always draw attention back to them if you wish to bring meaning to your audience's experience. Try posting a short post thanking people for watching to help increase your viewership among those who could not make it to the live show.
You can also solicit new questions and feedback to increase interaction. People who watch your videos want to know they are appreciated, so show them that affection wherever you can.

8. Connect authentically and build relationships

One of the most critical Facebook Live tips to keep in mind is that this is your opportunity to really engage with your fans. In other words, you are not attempting to obnoxiously advertise yourself or sell a commodity. You are attempting to establish relationships that can leave a lasting impact. When you are about to go live, make sure you are calm, smiling, and optimistic.
Of course, keep in mind that drawing attention to your goods or services can be beneficial from time to time, as long as you do so subtly. You should still have a call to action at the end of the video or mention your services in the content.
If you are bringing in guests, it is a smart idea to prepare beforehand so they are more settled. Make sure you spend some time with your guests before you go online. It will help them get into the mindset of being on camera, and you will be able to start from a better position right away rather than warming up on the Live itself.

9. Promote Facebook Live from other platforms.

Who said the Facebook Live video had to be promoted only on Facebook? You can conveniently promote your video on Facebook by promoting it on your other social media. even though you will not always have anyone from Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn to watch, adding a connection to the video will assist.

10. Share Industry-Related Updates

Keeping your followers up to date on industry news without being too sales-focused is a far more natural way to gain loyalty from your Facebook audience. People will begin to look to you as their go-to source for industry news, and you will gain a dedicated and committed fanbase.

11. Showcase the company's personality.

When it comes to what the Facebook Live viewers want to see, the fact is that people are more likely to connect with you through live streaming than with a blog post.
In reality, 80% of people would rather watch a brand's live video than read a blog post, and 82% would rather watch a live video than read a social post. You must make the most of this medium. One of the most appealing aspects of live streaming is that it gives you a one-of-a-kind chance to demonstrate the brand's personality.
To make this work, you will need a specific type of event or subject for your video in order to have a casual and transparent insight into your company.

12. Analyze your results

Finally, you should always learn about your successes. Through your live videos on Facebook, you can monitor a variety of metrics. You will, for example, see how many people you have met and how many exclusive followers you have.
When you become more aware of your tastes for the audience through social media analytics, you are more likely to design and release better videos. You will also look at the statistics to see how many viewers were watching at certain moments. This is an excellent way to determine which parts of your Live had the most effect on the audience.
Use the collected information to test and refine your next video once you have learned as much as you can.
In a world where consumers want better, more personal experiences with their favorite brands, it's difficult to disagree with the potential of live streaming. After its debut in 2016, Facebook Live has seen a 400% increase in daily watch time.
Users who search social media for the latest events and developments find Facebook Live streams to be intrinsically convincing. Many social media sites have started to use the same solution to capitalize on live streaming's rising success.
Fortunately, if you follow the Facebook Live tips above, you should have everything you need to get your broadcast off to a good start. As part of the overall Social media marketing strategy, live streaming is a flexible and instant way to engage with your viewers.
This is it for today’s blog. I hope you liked it and have learned a few tips and tricks for effectively using Facebook Live for your business. Do share your feedback with me and write to me if you have any questions or queries. I’ll get back to you as soon as possible. Thank you and Goodbye.