Lights, camera, action! You are just getting ready for your first Facebook™ live video. This is very good, because all the statistical data we have prove that this type of video is very effective:
- Live videos get 10 times more comments than other types of videos;
- Live videos get 3 times more watch time compared to uploaded or shared videos;
- Live videos have a 6.3% engagement rate (up to 3% higher than on other social networks).
Technically speaking, going live on Facebook™ is very simple: you simply hit the Go Live button on the mobile app and you’re on air. But you don’t want to make a live broadcast just for the sake of it. You want to create a bond with your followers, attract new ones and create a traffic and sales funnel to your website.
To help you out, we have prepared a list of best practices and of things you must avoid doing during a Facebook™ live video. Here they are:
DO: Check Lighting and Sound Before You Start the Live Video
To do that, create a live video where you set the audience to Only Me. None of your followers will receive notifications and see this preparatory live video. Once you have finished it, watch the recording. This will help you realise whether you need to go to another location, or speak a little louder.
DON’T: Try to Hard Sell Your Products in the First Video You Make
Yes, your ultimate goal is to sell your products or services. And you want all of your Facebook™ followers to become your customers, if possible. But this is not how social media marketing works. People don’t go on Facebook™ to be sold things. They end up deciding to buy from you if they consider you trustworthy, helpful, entertaining and, overall, a good sport.
DO: Create a Compelling Headline and Description
If you want to reach a large audience, make them curious about your live broadcast. Remember that Facebook™ videos start with muted sound. Thus, a good headline can draw the attention of people who are scrolling their newsfeed without the intention to watch your video. Plus, it is good for SEO. Once you finish your live video, it will remain on your Facebook™ page and can be watched at a later date even by people doing a Google search on the topic you cover in it.
DON’T: Announce Your Video in a Post Too Late
Many private individuals and Facebook™ pages announce live videos just half an hour before they plan to go live. This is nowhere long enough to allow all your followers to see the message. Unless you are sharing an event that is taking place unexpectedly, you should prepare your video and let your followers know about it the day before, and write a second reminder 2-3 hours before you start the video.
DO: Be Active During the Video
Don’t simply sit on a chair facing the phone camera and talk. Move about, show people where you are, use some props, make your video exciting. If you plan to do a show-and-tell tutorial, you can free up both hands by propping your mobile phone on a stand.
DON’T: Go Off Topic
Once you start talking and then answering questions in comments, it is easy to get distracted and forget about the main topic of your video. This is unpleasant even in conversations with your friends. In videos made under your company brand, it is downright unprofessional. People will become confused, bored, and stop watching your video.
DO: Make a Summary for Late Comers
Some followers may tune in to your live show some time after you started it. To help them understand what you are talking about, you should make brief summaries of what has been going on in your video so far. This is also helpful for people who watch from the start, to reinforce their memory of what they have learned in your video.
DON’T: Make Your Video Too Short
A Facebook™ live video should be at least 10 minutes, and can go on up to 90 minutes and more. It depends on the topic you cover. At any rate, do not hurry. The longer the video, the higher your chances are to attract a large number of viewers.