If you have been experimenting with live streaming for your business for example using Periscope and Blab, you will no doubt be aware that live streaming using Facebook is being rolled out across the globe.
Live streaming from Facebook Pages is available if you have a verified Page and for public figures. Update 7 March: Facebook Live is now being rolled out to all Facebook Pages – you no longer need to be verified. You can watch a live video here about the Facebook Live feature for Pages.
Facebook recently announced that in December 2015 they started testing the ability for people to share live video from profiles and that it is now available to everyone in the U.S. via iPhone, and that they will be rolling this out to the rest of the world over the coming weeks. Android is coming also.
I have been checking my Facebook Profile every day waiting to see when I have access – and today it I saw the notification that I now had access.
If you have not used live streaming previously I highly recommend that you experiment with a private live stream first – I set my first two up so only I could see them, to learn about the platform.
Who Has Been Using Facebook Live Streaming?
A number of news organisations have been using live streaming for some months.
For example the BBC News Facebook Page started live streaming in November 2015 and their first live stream was to cover questions about the Paris attacks.
RTE2 has been using very short live streams on Facebook to promote their shows, today they posted a live video in advance of their General Election show from Facebook’s International HQ in Dublin. Note in the top right of the screen how you can subscribe to receive notifications when they are next live.
The BBC hosted an interesting live stream recently, with guest experts on mental health joining them to answer questions in advance of a special series of shows they are about launch – so they provided value in their live stream not just using it to promote a show. This takes a Facebook Q and A to the next level.
Not many brands have ventured into live streaming from their Page at the moment. Over Valentine’s Day weekend Dunkin Donuts in the US live streamed a look inside “Dunkin’ Brands University,” where the brand makes its products.
The event felt a little stage managed and was hosted by Dunkin’ chefs. The post got 4,000 likes and drove, in all, 31,680 views. At its peak, there were 3,000 viewers watching it live.
How Will You Know You Have Access To Facebook Live
When you go to post a status update to Facebook on your mobile device you will see a notification to say you now have access.
Once you click the button you will get a screen where you can check your privacy setting, add a title for your live stream and decide which way you want the camera to face when you start the live stream.
If you prefer, you can live stream in portrait mode – however please note that the recorded video will always be square.
Once you hit the go-live button you will see a count down timer giving you an indication of when you will be live streaming.
When you are live streaming you will see the following:
- A red button indicating you are live
- The notification to show you where to change from the front to the back facing camera
- Comments from viewers that you will be able to respond to
- The ‘Finish’ button to end the live stream.
You may find your live stream pauses for example if you have insufficient battery or your wifi signal is not strong enough – you will be able to then end or resume a live stream
When the live stream has ended you will see the invitation to save video to your camera roll and also the ability upload higher quality video for your live stream.
What Can You Do To Live Stream To Your Facebook Page If You Do Not Have A Verified Page?
Update 7 March: Facebook Live is now being rolled out to all Facebook Pages – you no longer need to be verified. You can watch a live video here about the Facebook Live feature for Pages.
Especially if you are a small business, you may not have a verified Facebook Page.
There is a work around to live stream from your Profile by sharing the live stream to your Page (or even a Group).
You may prefer not to do this if people you are connected to on your profile are going to be irritated in seeing business related content and you also need to take care not to breach Facebook policies as they do comment that “Personal profiles are for non-commercial use and represent individual people”.
I am certainly hesitant about posting too frequently on my profile with live video, especially as most of my content there is private and to share to my Page the live stream had to be public.
Here are the steps you can take.
Open your Facebook Profile on a desktop or laptop when you have started live streaming to see the event there.
You will be able to share your live stream to your Facebook Page or even a Group from your profile – you may want someone else to do this for you as it will mean that you are then distracted from the stream for a moment or two.
Facebook Live Streaming Next Steps
I hope these tips are of assistance as you plan your first Facebook live stream.
You can find more information about Facebook live video here.
So let me know if you have questions about live streaming for your business – you can book a private consultation with me here.
