A Facebook Live is a streaming tool designed by Facebook that allows you to broadcast live videos, interacting with followers and captive audiences in real time through the same social network.
Have you ever hosted or participated in a Facebook Live ? This powerful tool, launched in 2016 as an alternative to the defunct Periscope, gained prominence on Facebook, becoming a great option for brands and content creators.
In this super guide, we’ll talk about what a Facebook Live is , the advantages of doing it, and how to do it like a pro. At the end of this content, you’ll find super valuable tips that will not only help you improve your process but will also propel you to achieve better results. Don’t miss them! 😉
What is a Facebook Live?
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A Facebook Live is a streaming tool designed by Facebook for use within its platform. It allows you to broadcast live videos and interact with followers and captive audiences on this social network.
Facebook Live is a reflection of how Facebook, now Meta, has capitalized on audience trends and needs, adapting the innovation that Periscope had once positioned and including it among the content creation options available to its millions of users.
The sample? Periscope saw its final days as a Twitter property, while Facebook continues to offer this alternative, expanding to other properties like Instagram.
Why do a Facebook Live?
There are several reasons to host a Facebook Live , and their importance depends on your brand and your goals. Here are some of the most compelling ones:
- Because it helps you connect with your audience.
- Increase engagement and other metrics.
- It is useful to give identity to your brand.
- Helps you differentiate yourself from the competition.
I’ll explain each of them in a few words to encourage you to include them in your content marketing strategy .
Because it helps you connect with your audience
Answering questions and answers from your followers is a great way to connect with your audience, listen to their concerns, and find out what they like.
Increase engagement and other metrics
The immediacy and format encourage sharing and participation in this content, which is why it tends to increase your page’s likes, reactions (Likes and Loves), and followers on your Fan Page.
It is useful to give identity to your brand
Whether you use a spokesperson or you decide to host the broadcast yourself, it’s a perfect channel to talk about your brand, its values, and what it projects.
Helps you differentiate yourself from the competition
No two brands are the same, and even if they sell the same thing, they likely have different visions of their products, making this an ideal forum to showcase this to their audience.
How to activate Facebook Live on your cell phone?
Facebook has simplified the way to access the Facebook Live tool , all you need to do to activate Facebook Live on your cell phone are these two steps:
- Access your personal Facebook account or your brand page.
- Allow Facebook to access the camera and microphone of the device you want to stream from.
All done! You’ll now have Facebook Live enabled and can start streaming live
How to enter a Facebook Live?
To join a Facebook Live , depending on your settings, the steps to access one of these broadcasts are:
- Click on the live broadcast area.
- When the video is expanded to full screen, click a second time to view the comments.
At the bottom you’ll see all the active features, allowing you to Like, Like, Comment, Share, and Request to Join, a tool that allows you to activate your camera and microphone to join the broadcast as a guest of the person starring in the Facebook Live .
How to broadcast live on Facebook?
Let’s get started! Below we’ll explain how to broadcast live on Facebook or how to do a live broadcast . Take note!
- Go to your page profile.
- Select the Facebook “Live” option.
- Write the event description.
- Add details: filters, logos, and more.
- Click the “Start Live Video” button.
- Greet and interact with your viewers.
- Click “Finish” to end the broadcast.
- Go back to the post on your timeline or page.
Let us explain a little more about how to do a Facebook Live so we can answer all your questions.
1. Go to your page profile
Log in to Facebook and go to your brand page. Whether you’re using the Facebook app or Meta’s Business Suite app on mobile devices, or want to stream from your computer, make sure you’re logged into the account you want to stream from.
2. Select the Facebook “Live” option
Similar to how you post content, click the “Create Post” button or, if you’re in the Business Suite app, click the “+” button in the bottom center of the screen. Select the “Live Video” option and wait for your device’s camera and microphone to activate.
3. Write the event description
On the screen, you’ll see a caption that says “Tap to add a description…”. Doing so will open a text box where you can include a description tailored to the event you’re about to broadcast. Some recommendations for writing this text include:
- Be brief. The recommended length is one short paragraph.
- Include keywords related to the topic you will develop .
- Be persuasive. Generating curiosity in your audience can help you gain views.
- Be friendly. Invite the audience to have a good time.
4. Add details: filters, logos, and more
Once you have your description ready, you can add other details, such as filters, related links, a button for viewers to message you via Facebook Messenger, adding your location, or adding hashtags to the description box to make your content visible to those searching for the hashtags you included.
💡 Tip: If you’re hosting your Facebook Live for a special event or date, you can include seasonally relevant hashtags, such as #Valentine’s Day or #Women’sDay, for example.
How to configure the privacy settings for a Facebook Live?
At the top of the screen, next to the name of the account where the live stream will be broadcast, you’ll find out who the broadcast will be to, whether it’s for everyone, for only those who follow you, and you can even limit the reach by making it private.
How to do a private live on Facebook?
Click on the top of the screen where it says which audience the Facebook Live will be available to and change the settings by selecting the “Only me” option among the recipients.
👀 Note! This option won’t be available if the account you want to stream from is a brand page or public profile.
5. Click the “Start Live Video” button
Now that you’ve entered all your event details, it’s time to click the blue “Broadcast” button at the bottom of the screen. Make sure the screen and orientation of the device you’re broadcasting from are correct and maintain them while you broadcast.
💡 Tip: Use a tripod or video stabilizer to prevent unnecessary movement and make your broadcast look haphazard or poorly planned.
How long can a Facebook live broadcast last?
By 2025, a Facebook Live can last up to 12 hours, according to Meta’s streaming limits . Previously, a Facebook Live could last up to eight hours, but today you can stream for up to 12 consecutive hours before the broadcast automatically ends.
How long can a Facebook Live last?
The recommended time for a Facebook Live is at least three minutes, according to Meta’s recommendations . Facebook prioritizes longer broadcasts, so if you can stay on camera for more than three minutes, the platform will reward you.
6. Greet and interact with your viewers
Take advantage of the immediacy of this format to respond, ask questions, and interact with your viewers. Talk to them by responding to their video comments or by using someone to answer their questions using the text box at the bottom of the screen.
How to block a user on Facebook Live?
If a user is making inappropriate or inappropriate comments during the stream and you want to block them, you’ll need to follow these steps:
- Click the three dots next to the comment of the user you want to block.
- Select the “Hide comment” option.
- Once you’ve blocked him, click again to reveal the option you’re looking for: “Block…”
- Select the “Block…” option
👀 Note! By doing this, the blocked user will no longer be able to comment on your live stream or page, although they will still be able to view your Facebook Live .
7. Click “Finish” to end the transmission
When you want to end your Facebook Live broadcast, click “End” and wait until it’s off-air. You’ll know when this has happened when the message “Your Live video has ended” appears. You’ll now have the option to download the broadcast to your device, post it to your Fan Page , or hide the post.
💡 Tip: Avoid ending your broadcast abruptly. Before clicking “End,” thank your audience for their time and invite them to follow you on your Facebook page, other social media channels, or visit your website.
8. Go back to the post on your timeline or page
If you decided to leave the post on your Page, I recommend reviewing it again and making sure it’s accessible to other users later.
What to talk about on Facebook Live?
Oh, so many things! If you’re still not sure how to include this tool in your content strategy, here are some ideas for what to talk about in a Facebook Live .
- Tutorials
- How to use your product?
- New releases
- An exclusive interview
- Give a live tour
- Gaming or podcast streaming
I’ll briefly explain each of the content alternatives we mentioned.
Tutorials
If you sell beauty products, you can create a tutorial on how to clean brushes or how to create perfect eyeliner.
How to use your product?
Product demonstrations are incredibly effective at stimulating sales, especially if you sell online. Think of them as a persuasive element in your sales pitch.
New releases
Are you launching a new line or new designs? A Facebook Live can help you capture the attention of potential buyers.
💡 Tip: I recommend our article that tells you how to open Facebook for your business . It’s so easy!
An exclusive interview
If you want to grow your following, landing an interview with an influencer can help improve your metrics and keep you top of mind with your audience.
Give a live tour
Giving a tour of your business or factory facilities can provide more context about how the items you sell are produced. You can also use this when selling real estate and tour packages.
Gaming or podcast streaming
They’re not only useful if you sell video games or are involved in the gaming scene. You can also stream while recording your podcast and provide a different perspective on the final product found on other platforms.
Why can’t I stream live on Facebook?
There are a few reasons why this feature may be disabled on your account, some of the most common being:
- Having a poor internet connection.
- The app you want to stream from is out of date.
- Have more than five active streams on your Facebook page.
If you’ve checked your account and none of the above apply to you, you can contact Facebook Support and ask them why this option isn’t available to you.
How to use the Facebook Live logo?
If you want to use the Facebook Live logo in social media posts to promote an event, there are certain recommendations you should follow to include this element in your communications. Here are some recommendations:
- Use it exclusively to refer to an upcoming Facebook Live broadcast .
- Invite your audience to use Facebook Live to join the broadcast.
- Show how your product integrates with Facebook Live .
- Include a call to action for the user to join a Facebook Live broadcast .
- Save the indicated space so that the logo is clear.
- Avoid changing colors, proportions and elements.
We encourage you to review Facebook’s brand guidelines on this page to learn more about other permitted and unauthorized uses of the Facebook Live logo .
💡 Tip: We recommend including the Facebook Live logo in PNG format in posts promoting your event. You can get the logo for free from an image bank in PNG format or with free vectors.
Tips for doing a Facebook Live
Now that you know how to do a Facebook Live broadcast , I’ll show you how you can add a special touch to your broadcast. These tips will help your next online events look like they were hosted by an expert. Take note!
- Take care of the technical aspects of FB Live .
- Make a script of the topics to be discussed.
- Do a test before the live show.
- Choose the best time to broadcast.
- Invest a little budget.
- Interact with your viewers.
- Enrich your broadcast through specialized programs.
Still unclear? We’ll explain a little more about each of them in a few lines.
1. Take care of the technical aspects of FB Live
You don’t need a professional studio to make your stream look amazing. A tripod, a ring light, and a microphone can make a world of difference in the quality of your broadcast. We speak from experience.
2. Make a script of the topics to be discussed
Even if you have the topics firmly in mind, having a script or accordion with the points you need to mention will help you stay clear, especially if nerves kick in and you forget some of the topics you want to talk about.
3. Do a test before the live show
Rehearsing how the broadcast will look is one of the best ways to prevent potential errors, whether it’s in connection, framing, or even the topics to be discussed. Whenever possible, rehearse by doing a private Facebook Live or from your personal account.
4. Choose the best time to broadcast
Within Facebook analytics, you’ll find out when your Page is most frequently online. Use this information to plan your broadcast schedules and reach a larger audience.
What is the best time to do a Facebook Live?
During the week, the best time to do a Facebook Live is from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm or from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. During these times, you’ll find more users on their lunch break, at work, or free from work commitments. Therefore, they’re more likely to participate in your live broadcast.
