Unless you slept through 2016 and the beginning of 2017, you would have noticed how hot video is. It seems like all the major social media platforms launched video features in 2016, or at least improved upon what they already had.
Of all the video options out there Facebook Live and Instagram stories are leading the pack but since Facebook’s user base is still larger at the moment (1.86 billion versus 500 million), let’s discuss Facebook Live. If you’re not using it for your business, you should be and here are some ideas to help you get started.
First, all you need to go live is a smartphone or a webcam. No expensive equipment is needed. And it’s live so don’t worry about the video editing either. Just think about the why and the what and get going. We have put some ideas together to help you get started.
Give them a Tour
If you have a store or a factory, give your audience a tour on Facebook Live. If you work in an office, take them on a walk around and introduce them to key members of your team. People love seeing behind the scenes of the brands they love, giving them an insight into your business and what you actually do on a daily basis.
Answer Questions
Go to your sales or customer service department or even your receptionist and ask them for a list of questions that they get asked often. Then answer them on Live. Invite people who are watching to ask additional questions. If you don’t know the answer, offer to get back to them and contact them directly later about it.
Tell Your Business Story
Telling your business story is an incredible way to connect with your audience but when you do it on video, they can watch your facial expressions and body language and you can really draw them in. Show them the passion you have for what you do and you’ll make an impression.
Show Them How You’re Different
If your business does something that no one else does, show them on Live. For instance, maybe you have a very vigorous QA process or maybe you age your wine in handmade barrels.
Show them this difference and explain why it’s important and why you choose to do it this way when there could be faster, cheaper, or more traditional ways to do it.
Do An Event Walk Through
If you’re hosting an event soon and you’re looking to drive registrations or RSVPs, take your audience with you on an event walk-through or interview your session speakers or award recipients. Show them around the location where your event will be or take them on a tasting when you go to sample the menu. These are all ways to get people excited about coming to your event.
Final Two Tips:
Two final things you should know about Facebook Live. You can broadcast for up to 90 minutes on it so webinars and conference sessions are possible. But you better stay pretty animated or have a great seat if you’re going to cover a conference. You don’t want to come across as boring, you want your audience to tune in and stay watching.
Also, when you go Live, Facebook gives you a larger audience share than what you receive when you’re normally posting. Yay! More of your followers see your post. That means you want to stay live for at least 15 minutes to get the full effect of Facebook’s “generosity.”
Have you done some Facebook Live sessions? If not give it a go.