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How to live stream with Facebook Live Audio using an Android phone

12/06/2017 By Krishna De Leave a Comment

How to live stream with Facebook Live Audio using an Android phone

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Facebook Live Audio an essential guide for live streaming to your Profile or Page

Have you been exploring the use of Facebook Live video for your marketing and communications? If you have been following my articles and live streams about how the platform has been developing over the last year, you will be aware that Facebook has also introduced Facebook Live audio.

I first mentioned this update in December 2016. You can find the announcement from Facebook here. In the announcement, they commented that some publishers want to tell a story on Facebook with words and not video and some have added a still image to accompany a Facebook Live broadcast.

Live Audio also presents another option for connecting with audiences using live streaming in real time from low-connectivity areas. Facebook stated at the time that the BBC World Service would be one of the pilot publishers for this new live format and we should expect to see it roll out in 2017 to more publishers and people.

At the same time, Facebook announced that people using Android devices can continue listening to a Live Audio broadcast even if they leave the Facebook app or lock their phones, while iOS listeners can continue listening as they browse other parts of Facebook.

To publish Facebook Live audio you need (at this time) to be using an Android device.

I was excited to test the new feature when I first got access last week and below you will find the steps you need to be aware of for streaming Facebook Live audio from your profile or a page. I recommend testing first by streaming privately on your profile so that you can adjust the privacy settings and get familiar with the tool.

I also suggest that you use your headset that accompanies your phone to improve the quality if the audio recording or plug in mic to your smartphone – examples of low cost lavalier mics you could use are here.

In this article you can explore the step by step approach to creating your first live audio on Facebook Live using your Android phone – both for your Page and your Profile.

Facebook Live Audio guide- essential tips for live streaming to your profile or page

How To Use Facebook Live Audio On Your Facebook Profile Using Your Android Phone

When you go into your Facebook App on your Android you will see the option to ‘Go Live’ – see the image in the screen shot below.

Facebook Live Audio on Android select the Go Live button on your Profile

I realised I had access to Facebook Live audio due to a prompt at the top of my screen when I had clicked the ‘Go Live’ button which then said that I could create an audio-only live stream. I was then prompted to allow Facebook to record audio on my device.

Facebook Live Audio on Android allow Facebook access to record audio

I had recently re-installed Facebook onto my phone, so the first thing I needed to do was give access to my media files on my device.Facebook Live Audio on Android allow access to media on your phone

I was also prompted to allow Facebook permission to take pictures and record video on my device.

Facebook Live Audio on Android allow access to take pictures and record video

A message then appeared to say that if I use Live Audio, my camera would be off and that listeners would be able to comment and reply to my live stream.

Facebook Live Audio on Android start a live audio stream

One things that will help your live audio stand out in the news feed is the choice of image that you use to upload before you start your stream. I did not have an image ready to share so took a photo with my camera on the phone and used that – if you can, ave a compelling and engaging image to use in your live stream.

Facebook Live Audio on Android select a photo to accompany your live stream

You will be able to adjust the position of the photo or image before starting your live stream. If you are creating an image from scratch, then make it in the dimensions of 16×9 (as you would for a custom thumbnail for a Facebook video).

Facebook Live Audio on Android adjust the position of the photo before starting your live stream

A way to check that your Facebook Live Audio is working is that when you speak, you will see sound waves followingyour speech pattern.

Facebook Live Audio on Android test your live stream by checking there are sound waves before you go live

As I mentioned earlier, I recommend testing live streaming privately and you can do that by changing your privacy settings on your post before you go live.

Facebook Live Audio on Android test your live stream by checking there are sound waves before you go live

Another point to consider is the title that you give your live stream – this will be posted onto your profile and can entice people to want to click to turn on the audio and listen to your live stream.

Facebook Live Audio on Android Add a relevant title to your live stream

When you are ready to start your live stream you need to click the ‘go live’ button.

Facebook Live on Android click the go live button to stream

There is a 3 second countdown timer before you go live.

Facebook Live Audio on Android there is a 3 second countdown timer before you go live

You will be able to see the sound waves and the live chat when you stream.

Facebook Live Audio on Android you will be able to see the sound waves and the live chat when you stream

You can invite friends to join you to listen and comment on your live stream by clicking the person icon on the bottom left of the screen (this feature is not available when you post live audio to your Page).

Facebook Live Audio on Android invite friends to join you and comment on your live stream

You can comment on your own live stream – for example you could use it to reply to people or add calls to action.

Facebook Live Audio on Android comment on your live stream

When you have completed the Facebook Live audio live stream you can click the ‘finish’ button – you will then see that the live stream is ending.

Facebook Live Audio on Android you will see that the live stream is ending

You can change the privacy of the recording on your Profile when you have ended the live stream and before you post it for people to hear the replay. At this time there is no option to download the audio to your device.

Facebook Live Audio on Android you can change the privacy of the recording on your Profile

I also tested the live streaming of audio to my Page and noticed there are some subtle differences which are detailed below.

How To Use Facebook Live Audio On Your Facebook Page Using Your Android Phone

You can live stream to a Facebook Group, a Facebook Event or a Facebook Page using the Facebook App.

As with live video, when streaming Facebook Live Audio to your Page you can refine your audience before going live – for example choosing their age, gender and location.

Facebook Live Audio on Android when streaming you your Page refine your audience before going live

You can choose locations that you want to allow people to listen to your live stream or exclude specific locations from hearing your stream.

Facebook Live Audio on Android on your Facebook Page you can determine your geo filter

In the screen shot below you can see how I chose specific locations to have access to my audio live stream.

Facebook Live Audio on Android on your Page you can include or exclude different locations

Another difference betwwen streaming to your page rather than your profile on Facebook is that once the stream has ended, there is no option to change the privacy.

Facebook Live Audio on Android post the recording of the live stream to your Page

Facebook Live Audio – what The Live Stream Looks Like On Facebook (Desktop)

You might be interested to see what your live stream looks like when it is posted – in the animation below you will be able to see the soundwaves in the post.

Facebook Live Audio as it appears on a post on Facebook (1)

Editing Your Facebook Live Audio Replay On Your Profile

I was curious to know what would happen after a live stream has ended should I want to edit it. On your profile you will see the option to edit the live stream from the top dropdown box at the top of the post.

Facebook Live Audio on Android editing features on a Facebook Profile after a live stream

There is very little editing available to you on your profile – all you can do is change the description of your live stream. Let’s hope this changes in the future.

Facebook Live Audio on Android edit your live strream on your Profle as you would other video content

 

Editing Your Facebook Live Audio Replay On Your Page

Just as with Facebook Live video, when you post to your page you have more editing options.

Facebook Live Audio on Android editing features on a Facebook Page after a live stream

 

I was surprised and delighted to see that when editing the live audio replay, you get the same features as if editing a video on Facebook – you can change the title, tags, description, add captions and even upload a custom thumbnail.

Facebook Live Audio on Android edit your live strream on your Page as you would other video content

 

You can also access the embed code should you wish to add the audio live stream to your website or another platform. You also have the option of dowloading the replay.

Facebook Live Audio on Android editing features on a Facebook Page

At this time, there does not appear a way to edit you live stream from the Publishing Tools area of your Facebook page as you can with Facebook Live video.

I hope this tutorial has provided you with assistance to start your Facebook Live audio. Will the fact you can now stream without having to post a video encourage you to consider live streaming on Facebook to support your communications plans?

If you have questions about integrating live streaming into your marketing, employee engagement, online PR or even crisis management, you can schedule a conversation with me here.

How to live stream using Facebook Live Audio to your Facebook Profile or Facebook Page


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Filed Under: Articles, Content Marketing, Content Marketing And Social Media Tips, Facebook Marketing, Featured Articles, Live streaming for business, Marketing with Facebook Live, Social Business Tagged With: Facebook Live Audio, Facebook Live for business, Facebook Live on Android, Facebook Marketing, Live audio, Live stream for business, Live stream for marketing, Social Business, Social media marketig

About Krishna De

Krishna De is a corporate communications strategist, speaker and educator and loves to share resources on content strategy, digital marketing, social media marketing, personal branding, online reputation and live video. Follow her on Twitter for communications and marketing news.

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