Why Facebook Live Is Essential For Your Business

One year ago this week I created my first Facebook Live video. I had been anticipating it since the launch of Facebook Mentions in July 2016, a version of Facebook Live just for celebrities and verified profiles (ones with the blue tick). Facebook Live has really taken off in the last 12 months and has no sign of slowing down.

As a business, the key thing you should be doing is getting your head around how to use videos for your business. It can be overwhelming trying to figure out where to start.

On the 1st February 2017, Mark Zuckerberg gave a community update for investors and the public on the state of play for the Facebook family of apps. Whilst they are experiencing solid growth and are now at 1.9 billion users globally, the strongest outtake from the announcement was:

‘’Our biggest focus continues to be putting video first across our family of apps.’’

The focus on video should come as no surprise as increasingly we are seeing video usage across all Social Media Platforms on the rise. The key difference to seeing video on Social Platforms 2 years ago and now, is the interactivity. Since the launch of new interactive video applications (Meerkat, Periscope and Facebook Live), we are now consuming and using video as a connector with personalised communication rather than only as passive consumption.

Facebook Live is one of the easiest of these interactive live applications for you to get used to and use within your business for positive business impact. I can say this as each time I use Facebook Live I get business and I have clients who have also through using this incredible functionality.

Facebook Live is simply a type of post you can do on either your Facebook personal page or business page. It is currently available to all on mobile devices and is being rolled out to all on desktops and laptops (at the time of writing this, I don’t have access to the desktop/laptop version, but if you do, watch this tutorial by Carlos Gil).

To go live on a mobile device follow these 3 steps:

1. Tap “what’s on your mind.” at the top of the news feed. (it will say “write something” if you are on your business page).
2. Select “Live video”from the menu.
3. Add a description and choose your audience before hitting “Go Live” You’ll see a 3 second countdown before your broadcast begins.

Special dot: Set the audience to “only me” on your personal profile to do a test video before you broadcast to your family, friends and fans.

Now you may be wondering what on earth are you going to broadcast. Whilst you could broadcast almost anything, the key is to broadcast what your fans like and value. Here are 3 ideas to get you started.

1. Behind the scenes

Share what you’re up to. It doesn’t have to be perfect, the key is that it’s real.

2. Live Event

The beauty of live events is that you give people the chance to put themselves in the picture.

3. Impromptu Q & A

Give your family, friends and fans a chance to ask questions that you can respond to live!

Dot for the day: Give yourself a chance of achieving what you really want. Watch, listen, learn, and most importantly, DO.