Lots of small businesses are looking for a budget friendly way to test out video content with their customers.
Before you take the plunge and commit to a larger project, why not try your hand at Facebook live?
It sounds scary, but it’s actually a fun and interactive way to communicate directly and informally with your audience!
Facebook introduced live streaming capabilities in 2015, and since then it’s grown in popularity and has become an essential tool for brands to increase customer engagement.
Statistics show that live videos generate more comments than regular videos, and 67% of live video viewers are more likely to buy a ticket to a concert or event after watching a live video.
Live video builds an air of authority and trust around your business. So much so that 45% of live video audiences would actually pay for live, exclusive, on-demand video from a favourite team, speaker, or performer.
If you’re a complete newbie to Facebook Live – we’ve all been there – then check out this guide which offers step by step instructions to get you started.
If you already know the basics, then here are five ideas to inspire you.
1. Showcase your product
Got a spangly new item hot off the press? Then show it to everyone!
Nothing sells a product better than actual seeing it in action, especially if it delivers visible results.
Watch a mere ten minutes of any cable shopping channel to understand that demonstrating a product’s usefulness is highly effective in generating sales.
2. Address FAQs
Do you find your staff are constantly answering the same questions again and again about your products or services?
Compile the most commonly asked questions and use a live stream to talk directly to your customers and deliver the answers.
It’s also the perfect opportunity to allow them to ask you more questions in realtime.
You can then save the video and use it on the FAQ section on your website, helping save time for your staff.
3. Offer free training
Nothing creates trust in a brand like offering free content of some kind.
Consider it as a free sample; it gives your audience a taste of what you can offer and leaves them wanting more.
FREE GUIDE: 5 Types of Video to Improve Your Business
When the broadcast ends you want them to be asking themselves, “If this is what they give away for free, imagine what I can get if I pay full price!”
When you’re known for giving honest and valuable content away for free, people consider you to be a resource and will return again giving you another chance to make the sale.
4. An event
Live streaming your event is a great way to increase the number of people who get to see what you do, and how you do it.
Why spend months organising a panel of experts for only 40 people to get to hear what they have to say?
Streaming the event will not only provide valuable knowledge to potential customers, but it will help build trust and encourage sales for any future events.
5. Collaborate
If you’re a sole trader you might find it a bit scary to go live all on your own.
The truth is that it does get easier over time, but you might want to collaborate with others as a trial run.
Got a loyal customer who loves your brand?
Chat to them as part of a case study for your brand and really dig into what positive effects they’ve gained from using your product or service.
Remember
Above all, it’s important to go into your live broadcast with a sense of purpose.
There’s no point in going live and just hoping something interesting will happen, because the chances are it’ll be boring and awkward for everyone involved.
Pro Tips
DON’T forget to promote your live broadcast before and after.
DO send out a reminder to everyone on your email list, and tell your Twitter and Instagram followers too.
DON’T be afraid to shout out about your broadcast the day before and in the hours and minutes just before you go live to ensure you get plenty of viewers.
Don’t forget to check out our rental page for cameras, lights and tripods to make your set up extra special.
