Everything that gives people and brands the added advantage of humanizing or increasing contact with people has gained widespread notoriety. This includes features like ‘live streaming‘ or the ‘Live’ option available on most social media platforms.
What is a Facebook Live?
The Facebook Live feature allows you to share performances, events, and any other videos in real-time with your followers. This real-time video can be broadcasted using laptops, phones, or iPads.
Facebooks newest update to the ranking algorithm ensures your live videos reach more and more people. It does so by featuring the live stream as a video post on your wall once your live stream has ended.
Why use Facebook Live?
Over the years, it has been established that video content tends to rake in more views and followers, making Facebook Live a great medium to garner higher engagement. Mentioned below are some of its best features-
- Encourage meaningful interactions with the followers
- Followers can interact on live videos through comments or by showing reactions using emoji’s
- Track the performance of your video through inbuilt analytics
- Launch paid ads to help influencers or brands reach out to more people
Some more facts to remind you why Facebook Live is gaining popularity to remind you to make use of it ASAP-
- The feature has gathered 150 billion reactions along with 3.5 billion broadcasts.
- It produces six times more interactions in comparison to regular posts.
- According to Facebook statistics available on mediakix.com, there has been a 330% rise in popularity, which tends to rise on days of significant events. Such as festivals, promotion by influencers, and mostly new year’s.
- According to an article on the website, wowza.com “59% of global marketing professionals believed that videos will help you get a better return on investments than any other type of content.”
Why should your Lives be creative?
Facebook Live is a feature that must be a part of your marketing strategies. However, it would be best if you kept in mind that you wouldn’t be the only one taking advantage of the many benefits this feature has to offer. The arena is quite competitive.
Listed below are some of the most creative ways to ensure your Live videos entice your audience into being a part of your Facebook Live sessions-
Get guests on board
You could co-broadcast with more than two people and chat LIVE. Teaming up with guests will help create an engaging Facebook live because it opens doors for various discussions to take place! The screen of your phone will split into two as the conversation takes place. ( See image below)
If you wish to add more people to the Live, you can do so by broadcasting live from the messenger rooms.
The LIVE event could be much like a talk show, invite a guest such as a local celebrity, expert, or a performer.
Teach them something
An example of a Facebook Live “how to” demonstration would be that of Dunkin doughnuts. They showed their followers how to make the best and easiest Valentine’s day cake using their doughnuts!
Such videos generate awareness while also helping you connect with your audience.
Another example worth mentioning here is that of benefit cosmetics. In most of their Facebook Live videos, they talk about their product, really detail it out, and then demonstrate the perfect way to use it.
Hold Q&A or AMA events
A Live “Question and answer” or “Ask me anything” is the perfect way to attain higher engagement.
Why? Because a Q & A or AMA involves asking questions by the audience/viewers and immediately answered by the Live creator in real-time. Hence, both parties have an extraordinarily personalized experience, allowing brands to get to know their audience better and vice versa. They are ultimately helping in gathering feedback quickly.
Behind the scenes
Giving the viewers a peek into your brand or business’s inner workings and taking them through the workspace will help develop an emotional bond with the followers. Something like a virtual tour!
If you are a jewelry brand, you could take the viewer on a ride of making a set of earrings you newly launched.
An excellent example of “behind the scenes” style Facebook live would be of the Fast food brand Dunkin donuts gave their followers a virtual view of their donut making process, leaving the followers with drooling mouths!
Create a recurring show
A recurring show would be something that you host on your Facebook Live regularly. It will ensure you have regular content to keep your followers engaged and build a loyal and strong following. Ideally, you will have to develop the right topic and time for a recurring show to work.
The best example of a recurring show is Anderson Cooper: Full Circle. This is a regular 10-minute event where he provides a rundown of the United States’ top headlines. Why does it work? It is short, perfectly fits the vertical shape of phone screens, and the audience can ask their questions.
Critique or give reviews
Facebook Live with such an event could be a very engaging time for both the followers and the brand. Here you could give feedbacks regarding how your followers could improve their work ( art/business/etc.) or their life. You could also offer them tips and tricks to overcome deadlines, duress caused by work, etc.
If you are an influencer and wish to keep things on the lighter note, then you could review products ( makeup, appliances, etc.), movies, food, and so much more. It will help the audience understand where your expertise lies and build trust.
The topics to review are endless, and you must choose one that fits your brand and what you offer wisely.
Live Events
Take your audience on a ride by broadcasting any critical event, conference, or tradeshow on Facebook Live. It could be anything from a training event or a triathlon to a live music performance you may be witnessing.
The idea is to create a connection with your viewers, so it is vital to make them feel like they are a part of your life as much as they are.
The best example to quote here would be the American Music Awards. In 2016 they teamed up with various reporters and stages to have a live broadcast of the event that became extremely popular.
Some things you must keep in mind to make the best use of Facebook Live-
- Ensure your audience is aware of your live stream well in advance
- Prepare your talking points and rehearse
- Interact with those watching you live
- Make sure everything goes smooth by going live before the scheduled broadcast
- Ensure you make time for regular Facebook Live sessions
Conclusion-
Your key takeaway from this article should be that features like Facebook Live allow getting up close and personal with your followers. A feature such as this would allow growth to brands and businesses by reaching a new audience while getting creative with social media content.
Summary- This article discusses the top creative ideas to make sure your Facebook Live’s aren’t dull and boring to maximize engagement.
About the Author
Bhavik Soni is a Creative Writer at Auto Monkey. We provide an original analysis of the latest happenings in the social media industry. Connect with Latest Social Media Trends and News plus tips on Twitter, Facebook and other social tools on the web.
