Unless you slept through 2016 and the beginning of 2017, you probably 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. That is part of the reason why, according to Cisco’s Visual Networking Index projections, by 2019 video is expected to make up 80% of all consumer Internet traffic.
Of all the video options out there Facebook Live and Instagram stories are leading the pack but since Facebook’s user base is still slightly larger for the time being (1.86 billion versus 500 million), we’re going to focus on Facebook Live in this article. If you’re not using it for your business, you should be and here’s how you can start today:
First, all you need to go live is a smartphone or a webcam. No fancy 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 with these ideas.
Facebook live presents a Huge opportunity for companies and publishers
infographic source: Salesforce.
Show Them Around
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. Remember how excited everyone was when Mr. Wonka opened up the chocolate factory? Well, you might not get that kind of response but it’s still a lot of fun for people to see what it’s like behind your walls.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 circle back with them 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 town 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 festivities.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. Also, when you go Live, Facebook gives you a larger audience share than what you receive when you’re normally posting. 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.”
So what will you do for your first Live experience?
