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When we talk Live streaming – Facebook Live is just one platform, and it’s a great way to quickly connect with and inform your audience. We love watching Facebook Live because we can see you and your mannerisms, we can hear your voice and all of these things quickly build our knowledge and trust of you and your brand.

This is a beginner’s guide to using Facebook Live to help promote your business, by going live from your mobile phone. It contains tips and tricks I have learnt since I started live streaming in 2015.

 

1. Safety First

// Turn off location services or GPS

If you are at home or some other private residence and you are not playing tourist guide, then people have no need to know where you are when you use Facebook Live.

Yes, I have seen people tracked down by their location services while live streaming.

Yes, it’s scary.

Yes, it can also be beneficial.

No, it’s not necessary to have it on while live streaming (unless you’re a tour guide and you are out and about). I tell you this, not to freak you out but to make you informed.

 

// Do NOT go Live and drive

Plane, train, bike, or any other form of transport (OK, if you’re a passenger and going Live that’s ok, just don’t distract the driver).

Let’s face it, it’s illegal in most places in the world. There is nothing that can not wait for you to pull over and go live about. Yes, people have had accidents while livestreaming.

I will admit, I was once tempted to do it.

It was early one morning, the roads were clear and the sunrise was stunning and then a massive F100 car ran a red light when my light turned green and had I not been paying attention, he would have cleaned up the driver’s side of my car.

 

// Do not play the radio or other music

While not a safety issue, it is a legal one.

People have at the least had their Facebook Live videos removed, at worst had accounts shut down and compensation orders served all because they played a song on a live stream.

Unless you own the copyright to a song or soundtrack, don’t play it. Copyright laws vary from country to country and what is ok in one might not be in another.

 

>>> Value Bomb

Current research suggests that a Facebook Live should only run for 5 minutes max.

 

2. Technical considerations

// Settings

It is preferable to use a wifi connection as Facebook Live uses a lot of data. Also, if you are using your phone, turn it to flight mode and turn your wifi back on to avoid calls and SMS interfering with or cancelling your Facebook Live.

// Tripod

You do not need a fancy tripod, in fact, I started without a tripod. I used a set of boxes and books on a kids desk – that was my stand. A tripod can make it easier, but be warned that sometimes the mount for the phone actually pushes on the volume buttons and so it will take some careful manoeuvring to set up the right angle.

// Microphone

Yes, you could use a fancy lapel mic, but to be perfectly honest you actually don’t need one. I started out using a Senheisser headset and I bought them specifically for sound quality in live streaming; you don’t need anything more than the headset that came with your phone. I now use a Rode Wireless Go Lavelier Microphone.

// Lighting

Make sure you have ample light coming in from in front of you. This will light up your face, making you easier to see. While natural light is best, it’s not always practical. I use LED strip lights when recording my live streams.

// Emojis

Don’t use them in the title of your live stream. Not all emojis for Android are on iPhones and vice versa. If you are using them to write a word or make your description understood and it’s not loaded on a viewer’s device, all they will see is an ‘X’ in a box and not your emoji. Not only is it frustrating for the viewer, it looks unprofessional.

// Make up

This one is entirely up to you. Personally, it depends if I am using my LED lighting. If I am I will wear make up so I don’t look washed out. Otherwise, I go by the premise that people are watching to hear what I have to say or see what I am showing, not to look at my make up.

// Scripts

Wow, did I get this wrong at the start and yes everyone is different on this. I started out using a script and it was woeful. It actually made me more nervous. I have looked into the online teleprompter services and found them to be cumbersome. So, I have a few dot points, if that, and I go from there. If you have a goal for the live stream, that’s all you need. You know what you’re talking about so talk.

 

>>> Value Bomb

Facebook starts tracking the popularity of your Live after the first 40 seconds. Going in with a clear plan will help with your rating.

 

3. ENGAGING CONTENT

Have you ever watched a livestream and wondered when they were ever going to get to the point? Continuous rambling is really annoying, and can make you feel frustrated because time is being wasted.

The other problem with most Live videos I watch is that they leave the viewer hanging. You’ve engaged the audience so why not move them to take action.

One of the most important parts of engaging content online is offering an incentive to take action and that can be as little as telling the viewer what action to take next. You might as well get a sign up or sale for the work you do.

This is why I developed a clever plan that fits in the palm of your hand. In fact, it’s so clever that it is your hand.

We are so used to watching people “talk with their hands” that none of your viewers, unless they’ve read this article, will know you’re delivering a planned Facebook Live.

 

Facebook Live Content Delivery Plan

This is a 6-point plan. (Think of it as your 5 fingers and then a fist pump). We start with your thumb and move your viewers through a relevant topic, in a logical & efficient manner, to a beneficial conclusion. Done well, no one is left hanging and you should have sign up at the end.

There are only three places to make your point in this plan. It’s intentional. Don’t suddenly grow more fingers. If you need to make more than 3 points in your live then you should break it up into multiple lives. Your audience can not remember any more than three takeaways.

  • Thumb
    Introduce yourself, the subject and what they will get out of it. Your thumb is short and so should your introduction.
  • Index finger
    Make your first point. Now this finger is larger than your thumb but shorter than your middle finger, so keep your content that way!
  • Middle finger
    Make your second point. This is your longest finger and you should reward your community accordingly by dishing out the content in this point. Just remember – 5 minutes max!
  • Ring finger
    Make your final point. Most people have a ring finger about the same size as their index finger but smaller than the middle finger, your content should be the same. Short and sweet so as not to bore them.
  • Pinky finger
    Time to recap & check for questions. This is your smallest finger and one which is often overlooked. Don’t overlook this step as like a handy without a pinky, it’s a little odd and definitely missed.
  • Fist pump
    Congratulations! You’ve made it to the end of your Facebook Live. Time to give yourself a fist pump…This is your solution & call-to-action.Don’t celebrate too soon and finish off your live. Let us continue our celebration with you when you tell us how you help and where we can learn more!

 

CONNECT WITH KARA:

FacebookKara Lambert

Instagram@karalambertcom

Websitewww.karalambert.com

Kara Lambert

ARTICLE BY

KARA LAMBERT

Kara combines a strategic approach to social media, with an acute understanding of what makes people tick & click online. Kara’s client-centred knowledge is easily applied across platforms.

Kara has tertiary qualifications in Psychology and Management; she has worked with online businesses since 2000, seven of those years with businesses on Facebook.