Video marketing is an incredibly popular type of content – live streaming specifically has increased exponentially these past few years! Young people love watching Twitch streamers play video games and flock to TikTok for the latest trends, but most social media platforms have now adapted this form of video. It’s enjoyed by all generations!

We’ve started relying on video marketing and live streaming even more because of the pandemic, but many people now prefer streamed events. Streamed events are hassle-free, and allow for people to enjoy things in the comfort of their own homes.

This boom shows no signs of stopping any time soon –  the convenience of live streaming has produced hefty results. Facebook is among one of the best platforms to utilize this new form of content, ranking as one of the top three performing streaming platforms. Let us walk you through this new type of media that can greatly benefit your business!

What is Facebook Live?

Facebook Live is a feature that allows your phone or computer’s camera to broadcast video in real time to Facebook. On your home page, simply click or tap the camera icon below your status bar and you’ll be taken into the world of live!

Choose to “go live” or create a live video event. Then, make sure to approve your camera and microphone and you’ll be able to start a live video.

Choose your audience – you can stream to friends, or to the public, or to yourself if you’re trying it out for the first time. Type in a capturing description with a compelling title. Share to your family and friends, and you’re on your way to becoming a streamer!

Since it’s so easy to use, many businesses are turning to this form of video marketing. One brand in particular, Macy’s, has utilized live streaming for its brand awareness and uses the hashtag #macyslive to promote its videos. This past Christmas season, Macy’s came up with a live stream event called Santa Live as an interactive way to engage with their audience during the holidays, when some people may have been afraid of taking their children to the mall due to the virus. Curriculum for the videos included Santa enjoying milk and cookies, and reading letters from children. The videos averaged around 100K views, but one video blew up to 2.8 million! This Christmas proved Macy’s live events successful – other videos included LiveGifting events and talks about their deals, which received a million views on average as well.

Big brands are using it – no matter the size of your business or what industry you’re in, you can probably find a way to use Facebook Live to showcase your business. Facebook also reaches a very wide audience, with billions of active users, since it is one of the most used social media channels across all ages. As it’s a completely free way to utilize video marketing, you may want to consider venturing into this growing field.

Benefits of Facebook Live

So what exactly are the benefits of Facebook Live? Let’s go over them below:

Live Streaming is Cost-Effective

As long as you have a stable internet connection and a camera on either your phone or computer, the basics of FB live are completely free. If you want fancier videos, with features like a custom layout and moderation, you can contact an agency like Doukas Media to help you set up your stream, but anyone is able to start their own live show.

Saves you some time

You don’t need to spend the time pre-recording, editing or posting the video. Having a script and general plan will help your live stream’s performance, but a live definitely isn’t as much work as a regular video. Without the hassle of production costs, you can stream more frequently – possibly having a weekly stream, or being able to stream once every few days! Streaming frequently will help keep the momentum and attract more people as they’ll know your channel is active.

Increases Brand Awareness and Engagement:

FB live offers an opportunity to make your brand more personable and form connections with your customers.  Facebook features a built-in chat that allows your audience to ask questions and make comments. Reacting to them will make your audience feel like you are having a personal conversation. This real-time engagement will make your brand seem more authentic, especially as the footage is unedited.

Your followers will also get notified if you become live. Despite the recent changes to Facebook’s algorithm that have affected organic reach, the app still seems to favor live videos, so social promotion of live videos will also help your brand.

Can Repurpose Content

This content will stay on your page forever, and you can make references to it or reuse it in newer posts. Having lives to turn back to will help with productivity (as it can save you time on researching new content for the week) and save you time. As long as you effectively space content out, you can reference your old videos and make them into newer, shorter ones with updated information, or write a blog or make new graphics. It’s an entire land of opportunity – that you made with your own hands! 

Facebook Live Essentials

Are you convinced yet? Great! Now that you want to start using Facebook Live, here are some considerations to take note of to ensure your Facebook Live performs optimally:

Make Sure Your Internet Connection’s Working

You don’t want to have any problems while streaming! Make sure that your phone’s connected to wifi, or that your computer’s wired up to a stable connection when you go live.

Research Content and Let Your Audience Pick the Topic

First and foremost, your content is supposed to be what your customers want. Live can actually lead to all sorts of interaction, like interactive polls, and encourage more engagement with your socials. Be sure to keep up on the latest trends in your industry, and start a relevant video!

Choose the Right Time To Stream

Make sure your stream is at a time people can make on a convenient day, and isn’t on a holiday. Better yet, make a poll or status asking when your audience may be free. 

Promote the Live

Lives are basically a virtual event; it’ll be embarrassing if no one makes it. Make sure there’s interest and viewership. Push announcements, make an event page and promote it on your socials that aren’t just Facebook either. Don’t just remind people that you’re streaming, though – promote your live with things of value. Highlight what you’ll be talking about, provide a tip, or tease something that will make your viewers curious!

Focus On Your Fans!

Be responsive and pay attention! A live is like a conversation, and is made for the audience to interact with you. Greet people, ask for names (if possible, which is more achievable if your audience is small), reply to comments and questions as they appear. And remember to smile as well! The important thing is to make them feel seen and heard, which will encourage them to participate and keep coming back. 

Find a Moderator

It may be hard to keep track of everything if your streams start reaching a larger audience. If that is the case, you may need to consider finding a moderator. A moderator will go through your chat, filter comments and questions, and keep the audience on topic.

Live streaming as marketing will only continue to grow, so why not try it out for your business? A marketing agency like Doukas Media can help with this new venture by advising you on video marketing trends for your industry or providing support on stream by moderating your comments. Let us help you on your Facebook Live journey!