If you’re anything like me, the mere mention of doing live video puts a knot in your stomach. The fact is, though, anyone with a message to deliver most likely needs to get on board with video as part of their social media strategy. So, of course, that means that I need to jump on the train, too!
Facebook Live is the best way to get organic reach on Facebook right now, especially after news broke this week that it’s going to be even harder for Pages’ content to be seen in the News Feed. The real-time interaction with followers is fun and valuable. It’s also a great way to engage with others online in a genuine way.
Still nervous about getting started? Here are a few suggestions to make your first Facebook Live video go more smoothly!
3 Tips for Doing Facebook Live for the First Time
1. Do the first video in a casual, comfortable setting from your personal profile.
Forget your Facebook Page for a minute and get personal! I decided to test out my first FB Live video at a CMA Fest concert in Nashville. It was a relaxed atmosphere with a great energy and I thought it would be an interesting event to share with my friends and family. I had something fun to talk about and felt like I could shift the attention off me and make it more about the artists that were performing.
2. Go live with a buddy.
You don’t have to do this solo! I attended the concert with my cousin and a couple friends. Having them be part of the video took some pressure off and definitely made me feel more comfortable while I tested out the “live video” waters!
3. Value each viewer.
Whether you have 1, 10, or 100 viewers, focus on making each person feel like their time and presence matters! The one regret that I have about my first video is that I made a comment in jest about how I “only had five viewers.” Honestly, I was happy to be interacting with each one of those family members and friends, and having any more viewing live wouldn’t have made a difference in regards to the experience.
Have you done a Facebook Live video yet? If not, do you plan to use it as part of your community-building strategy in the future?
For more social media tips and free resources, download my free Streamline Your Social Quick-Start Guide!