7 Tips to Get Your Business Live Streaming on Social Media

Be Prepared

Live streams are intended to be informal. But even though they don’t need fancy production values, you should still be prepared!

Start with good lighting. Overhead lighting often sheds harsh shadows on your face. Invest in an affordable ring light that casts even illumination on your features. You’ll also want a tripod or stand for your phone, if that’s what you’re using to record. Don’t just hold your phone — it will be too shaky!

Next, consider your background. Something simple and undistracting is best. It doesn’t have to be a plain white wall, but a busy bookshelf may look too cluttered.

Then, there’s your content. The top performing Facebook LIve videos are usually between 15 and 20 minutes long. So make sure you have enough to say or do to fill up at least 15 minutes.

And right before you start streaming, make sure to turn off notifications on your phone or computer. You don’t want buzzes or beeps interrupting the show.

Promote Before You Go Live

Spread the good word! Tell your fans and followers that you’ll be going live in advance so they can add it to their calendars. Schedule the stream for a time when you know your audience is online and active. Check your Insights on the streaming platform to determine the best time for your brand and followers.

Don’t forget to cross promote by sharing the link to your live stream on other social media channels and sending it to your email subscribers.

You can also ask followers to RSVP if you wish, so you can send them a reminder email 5-minutes before the stream starts. 

Pick the Right Host

Just because you’re the CEO, that doesn’t necessarily mean you’re the best person to go live — especially if you’re not used to showing up in person on your social media feeds.

There’s no shame in that. We don’t all have the same strengths. But if you’re visibly uncomfortable on camera, you could turn off your audience.

Maybe your CMO or a VP would thrive in a live stream! Just make sure they’re comfortable with it before you volunteer them. 

Bring a Friend

A co-host or someone to interview has multiple benefits in a live stream. It lets you share the spotlight, which may make you more comfortable. It also gives you someone to banter with, which can make the whole show punchier and more engaging for the audience.

Plus, you get the benefit of their audiences as well as your own, just like a guest post or podcast interview. 

Use Slides, Polls, and Questions

Some social media sites, like Instagram and Facebook, provide additional features that can make your stream more interactive or entertaining. For example, Facebook’s Live Producer lets you create polls and questions in advance that you can then add during your stream.

Polls and questions will get your viewers to comment and engage. Encourage that further by responding to those comments in real time. People love to feel heard and acknowledged!

You can also play a Powerpoint presentation during a Facebook live stream. And on Instagram, you can easily pull up pre-made slides that you can use to illustrate your points as you share. When you design your slides, remember:

●Over 70% of YouTube watch time is on mobile
●Nearly 80% of Facebook users only access the platform via a mobile phone
●93% of Twitter video views are on mobile

So those slides must be mobile-optimized and easy to read on a phone. No tiny fonts!