Facebook Live: Do's & Don'ts

​When taking the right approach, Facebook Live has the potential to go viral, extending reach and engagement around the globe. Here are some “do’s” and “don’ts” to using Facebook Live.
 

​Do’s

• Seek out a compelling visual. Whether it’s a landscape, an event or an activity, make sure it’s active and engaging to watch.
• Let the video breathe. In other words, let the video do the talking. A compelling visual needs minimal narration. Interject with relevant information, your thoughts on the video subject and engage conversation by inviting and responding to viewer comments.
• Keep the camera steady. Make sure you hold the camera steady. Shaky video is distracting to watch and you’ll lose viewers.
• Strike a balance. Allow time to build a following. Sometimes it takes a while to gain viewership, so give it time to generate some traction.
• If the video does go viral, keep it going! Watch your viewer count in the upper right-hand corner of your screen. If it keeps growing, continue until your numbers are steadily decreasing.
• Bring extra power. You’ll need portable batteries and a charger to extend your broadcast.
• Make sure your cell signal is strong. If it isn’t, that will impair the broadcast.
• An example of a Facebook Live that went full viral is from Election Day 2016 when a gravesite vigil at Susan B. Anthony’s resting place reached 23 million global viewers.
• Once your Facebook Live video is complete, remember to share it on your timeline. It will archive automatically and generate more reach.

 
Don’ts

• Avoid the mundane. Tempting as it may be, don’t sit in front of your smartphone camera to discuss your weekend plans, what you ate today or your thoughts on global warming. Talking heads don’t attract viewers.

• The same goes for a boring video subject. Don’t go live on a static, non-visual event or activity like a speech or a seminar, unless the topic is riveting or the speaker is famous. Even then, think twice about it. Ask yourself, “is this something I would want to watch?” If the answer is no, don’t go live.

• Don’t go live from a spot where there is a lot of extraneous sound like construction equipment, passing vehicles or other background noise. It will interfere with your broadcast.
• Fire up with a phone that’s not fully charged. In the off chance your live broadcast goes viral, you will need staying power. Going live on anything less than 70 percent battery is fruitless. You will lose your power quickly and there goes your broadcast.

 
In the end, persistence is paramount for Facebook Live. Don’t be deterred if you have low viewership on your first few efforts. While many broadcasts may not go viral, there’s always one that will soar That one may reach viewers around the world, and when it does, you’ve mastered Facebook Live.

By Charla Kucko

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