For the camera shy amongst you, I’ve got some bad news: Video, and in particular Live Video, is a social media trend that is here to stay!

Whether it’s YouTube, Instagram Stories or Facebook Lives, video is proven time and time again to be the most captivating method of getting your business’ message out there. Not only do audiences find them more compelling than static images and text, but the platforms themselves are promoting ‘Live’ content above all the rest. The long and short of it is, going live is the best way to get in front of your online audience.

I’m well aware that for some, the idea of sharing live content fills them with dread, but given that the goal of social media is to drive visibility and engagement, it’s definitely worth a second thought: Whether you’re promoting a service, or simply allowing your audience a look behind the curtain, there’s serious brand value to be gained in showing up live.

So, whether you’re a regular feature, or a ‘Live Story’ novice, I’ve compiled a list of 5 top tips to help prepare you for your close up:

  1. Get clear on why you’re going live: There should be some value added for your viewers that they don’t get from your every day posts and stories. Whether it’s announcing a new service or event, or inviting a guest speaker to share their expertise, make sure you’re clear on the purpose of your live video.
  2. Engage with your audience: The benefit of going live is that you can talk with your viewers in real-time, answering their questions and engaging with their comments in the chat as you go. Alternatively, if you have a structure you’d like to stick to, let your audience know that you’ll be going back and responding to their questions in a Q&A session at the end of your broadcast, so they don’t feel ignored.
  3. Make a plan: Jot down an outline of the timeline for your live video so that you have some structure to refer to if you find yourself veering off course. This is particularly helpful if it’s your first time doing a live; as you get more confident you may relax and find yourself able to go off script a little more, but the structure will provide a safety net for those feeling nervous about their first live video.
  4. Minimise Interruptions: We’ve all seen the famous BBC News video of the political correspondent whose young child enters the room behind him during his broadcast. Don’t be that guy! Try and pick a quiet, private location to record your live video, with as little noise pollution as possible, and plenty of quality lighting.
  5. Promote Your Live in advance: Make sure you give your audience advance notice of the date and time of your live video. Your audience are busy folks and are much more likely to show up, stay for the duration and engage with your content if you schedule it in advance.

 

Thank you to our guest Blogger Chantelle Davison – Choice Words By Chantelle