Let’s Go Live on Facebook – Tips for Successful Streaming

In 2019, the Facebook Live video view count passed 2 billion and the daily watch time for Facebook Live broadcasts quadrupled. With so much hype behind it and a legion of existing users, how do you tap into the Facebook Live marketing? All you need to get yourself started is an understanding of the platform and its capabilities.

What is Facebook Live?

This is a feature of the Facebook social network that broadcasts real-time videos. The hosts can decide who on Facebook can see their video and use this content to engage their audience during the moments and events that are important to them.

How the COVID-19 pandemic amplified live streaming success?

Live streaming isn’t something new. Major social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn and the like still keep developing newer live video features, to enable brands and users a variety of outlets in expressing themselves and connecting with each other — especially when isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why are marketers getting so excited about Facebook Live?

Live video has a certain allure that pre-recorded content cannot match. It’s such a fun and fairly simple way for them to use the power of video to communicate their brand stories and establish authentic relationships – in real time.

#1: To connect with your audience in the most genuine, human way as possible

It’s essentially like meeting your customers in person, since the event is happening “face to face” and in real time. Facebook Live gives you a chance to show there are real, caring humans behind your brand, which in turn builds trust and leads to more business.

#2: To be authentic and convey a strong sense of trustworthiness

Instead of uploading a pre-recorded video, you can’t go back and edit a part out of the video before someone sees it during a Facebook Live. Thus, live streaming is utilized to humanize brands and further portrays the image of professional experts in their industry.

86% of consumers say that authenticity is a key factor when deciding what brands they like and support (Stackla, 2019).
81% of consumers said that they need to be able to trust the brand in order to buy from them (Edelman, 2019).

#3: To engage the audience with a sense of peer power

Live streaming connects the viewers to the brand on a more personal level. The audience feels more like watching a peer delivering a live feed, and that’s the key message: be social and not salesy.

66% of consumers think transparency is one of the most attractive qualities in a brand (Accenture Strategy, 2018).

Try to actively connect with the audience and make them part of your show. Facebook Live allows you to answer questions in real-time. This provides an opportunity to engage with viewers when they’re most interested. Transparency not only helps to retain current customers, but also helps to attract new prospects.

If you haven’t updated your digital marketing strategy to include live streaming for your brand, perhaps you should.

Read More: Becoming A Guru in Live Streaming