Do you notice a difference between watching a live sports game on television and watching it recorded at a later date?
Of course you do. There’s something real and exciting about watching the action unfold in real time.
And your brand doesn’t have to participate in a rugby tournament to have the same effect. (I mean, you can, but that’s completely up to you.)
Brands with a Facebook and Instagram presence are the norm these days. What can set your business apart on these social channels is a smart use of features, and live video streaming is a great place to start.
Facebook Live allows followers to watch in real time as a person (or business) documents an event, situation or some sort of glimpse into their world. It’s a natural way to connect and engage with followers, and it creates an emotional connection that really can’t be replicated elsewhere.
It sounds daunting, but allow me to take some of the fear out of it for you. There are multiple ways you can get people to pay attention and connect with your brand through live video. Here are a few.
Share exclusive behind-the-scenes action.
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Offer a sneak peek to new products or concepts that people can only see through your live video.
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Here’s a secret – you don’t have to be in front of the camera. Share interviews with staff and board members so your followers can see the people behind the brand.
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Give followers unique “day in the life” snippets so they can see what goes on within the company.
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Share playful outtakes that show your brand’s personality. (Again, doesn’t have to be you!)
Use live video for announcements.
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Share company announcements. (Psst: Verdin will be using live video to announce the winner of the 24-Hour Give!)
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Get personal with your customers and your fan base, so they connect and resonate with your brand. (This simply means being yourself and staying true to your brand. You have lots of experience with both of those things already.)
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People may miss parts of your video, so pre-announce through other channels when you will be going live.
Respond to hot topics or questions.
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Use the live feature to be proactive in addressing relevant topics.
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Display emotion that people can recognize and connect with.
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If people have questions, use this opportunity to answer them all at once.
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Don’t be afraid to keep it simple. Especially when dealing with controversial issues, you don’t have to take a discussion too far if you’re not comfortable. Live video isn’t about sharing everything – more communication pieces can follow.
Promote an upcoming event.
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Give a countdown, or a one-time live check-in sometime before your event.
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Share the information people need to know about attending, and answer questions that might be barriers to them showing up.