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If you haven’t already noticed, videos on social media are a huge trend right now — in particular, videos that play in real time. You only need to look at the growing popularity of video-streaming social media channels, such as Snapchat and Periscope, to recognize the importance of video. Today I’m sharing the benefits of integrating Facebook Live into your social media strategy, which include growing your number of fans and establishing personal connections with your current audience.

What Is Facebook Live & How Does It Work?

Facebook Live is a relatively new feature that allows you to stream videos in real time, which can be watched by other users. This feature is now available to everyone on Facebook for iOS, Android and Facebook Mentions. Live videos are currently limited to 90 minutes.

To start a live broadcast, follow the same procedure as you would when posting a status, but click “Live Video” instead. The next step is to write a catchy description to get people to watch your video. Just like any caption on Facebook, you can tag other Pages, use hashtags and include emojis, so get creative! Now you’re ready to “Go Live.”

The Power of Real-Time Videos

Build Connections

Incorporating live videos allows you to connect with your audience in a way that’s unlike any other type of content sharing. It’s the perfect opportunity to showcase your brand’s personality because of its raw and unedited nature. It’s also a great way to create a more personal vibe with your audience. When someone asks a question or leaves a comment, address them by name and follow up with them after the broadcast ends.

Get Discovered

Users can discover your live stream on Facebook Live Map, which shows videos that are being recorded live around the world. Don’t worry if you don’t have hundreds of viewers; there’s still a chance that your video will show up. My tip is to stream longer videos to give people more time to find it and to increase your reach.

Facebook Live Map

 

Increase Engagement

When people come across a video that’s streaming live, it creates a sense of urgency that inspires people to watch it now. This sense of urgency can increase engagement off the bat. Also, chances are you’ll reach more viewers with live videos than with pre-recorded ones. Here’s why. Your current fans may be notified when you start a live broadcast, and Facebook’s recently updated algorithm ranks live videos higher in News Feed than it ranks pre-recorded ones.

Save Time

Of course a good live video requires some level of planning, but it does not require nearly as much planning as recording and editing a pre-recorded video or writing a blog post does. Streaming live content can save you a lot of time while generating better results. Remember that your live video will be published on your Timeline for others to watch until you choose to delete it. There’s no 24-hour viewing limit, like there is with Snapchat and Periscope.

Be Memorable

I don’t come across live videos in News Feed very often, so, when I do, I usually check it out for a couple of minutes. That being said, make sure your content is captivating enough to encourage people to stay and become a part of the conversation.

Facebook Live Example

Recognize this hilarious video? Candace Payne streamed it live in May, and it’s nearing 160 million views!

5 Ways to Use Facebook Live for Your Page

Consider using Facebook Live to share:

  • Questions and Answers
  • Behind-the-Scenes Footage
  • Events
  • Interviews
  • Demos

I hope that, after reading this article, you’re as excited about Facebook Live as we are! Before starting your next live video, make sure to check your Internet connection and let people know when you’re going live. Choose a date and time that works best for your audience by checking Facebook Insights or by asking them. (Don’t forget to specify the time zone!) My last piece of advice is to be flexible. With anything live, you never know what’s going to happen, so prepare alternate topics or talking points in case your audience has questions or comments that lead the conversation in a different direction.

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