Facebook Live. Your Best Live Streaming Video Option.

So I did my first Facebook Live video yesterday and I have to admit it was pretty fun. I mean the day is here when you’re able to live stream from your phone. I remember when I was a kid and I would watch a soccer game live and In my head I’m like “how do they do it??”. How can you live stream something instantly? How many people are involved in this process? They’re must be satellites involved. Well guess what? The satellites revolve around you now. Anyone can live stream from their phone to the whole world.

What is Facebook Live?

Facebook Live is a live streaming option that was first introduced on August 2015 (for smart phones only). At first it was only available for verified accounts and pages but now its available for everyone with a page. Users are able to live stream videos, have people join the live stream. Be able to interact by liking and commenting. Then the video is saved permanently for viewing.

Before Facebook Live

Before we had Meerkat and Periscope. On Meerkat the videos are Immediately deleted, and on Periscope the videos are available for only 24 hours (although you can save them on your camera roll).

So I just want to say that these blog posts I write are catered for small businesses, and the most important commodity for these guys is time. Small businesses don’t have time to be trying out social media platforms every two months. Which is why not everyone jumped on the Meerkat and Periscope wagon right away. You would have had to create a strategy, a platform and build a following and to be honest “ain’t nobody got time for that”. So with Facebook Live, you already have a following base which brings me to my next point.

Why use Facebook Live

Because you already have the follower base. I know, its that simple and I didn’t have to say it twice. Even if you’re just starting a Facebook Page, the application is user friendly. And most importantly Facebook wants you to use the App, so they’re pushing it for you(for now). Meaning all your fans on your Facebook page will see a red dot on their notifications that you’re live which is pretty big. See because everyone is on Facebook all the time, Facebook uses an algorithm that way your content is shared with only a small portion of your fan base that Facebook thinks is highly interested in your content. Sadly enough your content is not shared with all your fan base all time. But for now Facebook is giving everyone a free ride on this Facebook Live feature.

How to Use Facebook Live

All you need is your smart phone:

1. Got to your Facebook Pages App
2. Go to Publish
3. Click on the Facebook Live Icon and you’re live for the world to see

How to Share the saved Video:

Once the video is saved on you page, you can right click. Get the link and share anywhere on Facebook. If you wanna embed the video on your website or blog here is a video that shows you how:

In conclusion to be completely honest, up until two weeks ago, I was like Facebook is digging its own grave with all these algorithms and all these rules. Ads everywhere. It looks busy and cluttery. And unfortunately it doesn’t feel as exclusive as it used to, especially because all the cool kids prefer to be on Snapchat and all my old relatives are always on Facebook. And please Facebook, don’t ask me to re-share photos I posted 4 years ago. We’re not that nostalgic of a generation. But there is hope. Facebook Live might change the game for everyone. Its raw. Its real, and its what everyone is looking for in a social media platform. Real social connections online. So connect with your fan base and use Facebook Live. I have to admit, its pretty fun.

Resources:

• http://www.wpbeginner.com/
• http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/