How to Use Facebook Live at Your Event

What is Facebook Live?

Facebook Live lets you broadcast video in real-time to your followers, as well as directly to an event page or group—all from your mobile phone (or tablet). As you broadcast, people tune in and engage with you through comments and likes.

For you and your events, Facebook Live is an opportunity to grow.

The Benefits of “Going Live”

A common myth about live video is that it’s expensive but  “live video is a worthy investment for many types and sizes of events.”

1. Live Video is Extremely Engaging:

According to Facebook Live, users spend more than 3x more time and comment 10x more when the video is live.

2. Live Video Grows Attendance:

30% of people who watch a livestream of an event will attend the same event the following year.

3. Live Video is Cost Effective:

It’s a common misconception that live video is costly, but thanks to tools like Facebook Live, anyone can leverage the technology and see a positive return on investment.

Facebook Live is easily accessible from your iOS or Android device via the Facebook app. The way it works is simple: just head to your Facebook page, event, or group and instead of typing in text, look for the “Live Video” button. From there, you’ll be prompted to enter a description.

But before you “Go Live!” consider the limitations of your mobile device.
As with all video content, production value is crucial to success. If people can’t see and hear what’s happening, they’re likely to tune out. So refrain from using a mobile device to capture the action on stage. Instead, mobile devices are better suited for giving your audience a sneak peek of your event setup or the behind-the-scenes action backstage

Here are some tips Facebook gives for getting the most out of Facebook Live:

1. Make an Announcement:

Build anticipation by letting your audience know when you’ll be broadcasting. Facebook finds that a 24-hour advanced notices gets the best results.

2. Check Your Signal:

If you have a weak cellular or wifi signal, your live video will be unavailable. So don’t go live until you have a strong signal.

3. Don’t Skip the Description:

Facebook Live asks you to create a description before hitting the “Go Live” button. Be sure to write a description that grabs your audience’s attention and lets them know what to expect.

4. Engage With Commenters:

After your live video is wrapped, don’t forget to go back through and respond to commenters.

5. Longer is Better:

If your broadcast is too short, you won’t give people enough time to tune in. Facebook recommends being live for at least 10 minutes.