How to go live on Facebook - technical guide

Did you know that one in every five videos on Facebook is live?! That’s a lot!

Marketers have so much opportunity to reach a broader audience on Facebook Live, so it's worth committing to learning how to run a Live effectively.

This guide will help you learn the best tricks that can make a big difference in how many people see your live broadcast, how they engage with it, and how it performs.

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Before you go LIVE

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‍You can go live on Facebook from a profile, a Page, a group, or an event. Starting a Livestream from these or the app versus a web browser will be a little different, so make sure to check the instructions for each before going live.

You can use a phone or web camera by itself, but adding additional equipment such as a tripod, microphone, camera lens, and light will improve the quality of your video. We recommend you start with what you have at hand, and then depending on your needs, you can start adding extra gear.

Tip: When it comes to setting up camera view, we suggest turning your phone horizontally so that your camera rotates to a landscape view for your live video - this makes broadcasts more visually appealing to your audience. If you'll have a guest joining the Live from another device, remind them to do the same.‍

Test Your Setup on the Day of the Show

‍Perform the following pre-show checks to ensure everything is set up correctly on the day of your live show.

Tip: Don’t let it until 10 minutes before the show. Give yourself enough time, so you don’t have to rush!

Check the Background

‍Look at the view from your webcam. I’m sure your room is already tidy, but be aware of what your live viewers will see.

Restart Your Computer

‍This can help you avoid potential glitches before your show. Also, if possible, use a wired Internet connection instead of Wi-Fi.

Close Down Background Apps to Free Up Memory

‍Once your computer has restarted, close as many apps running in the background as possible.

Mute Phones, Alarms, or Notifications

‍ If possible, switch off devices or place them in airplane mode, so they’re not taking up Internet bandwidth.

Verify Internet connection

‍The Internet suggests that Facebook Live requires a connection that’s faster than 10 Mbps for good quality video. To check your upload speed, use a speed test tool such as Speedtest.net before going live each time.

Test out live video using the "Only me" privacy setting

‍If you want to play around with live broadcasting without actually sharing it with anyone else, you can change the privacy setting so you're the only one who can see it — just like with any other Facebook post.‍

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‍During your LIVE video

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Facebook Live Tools

‍Facebook offers many features to further connect with your audience during your broadcasts, such as Live Polls or Featured Links.

Utilizing these tools will help boost engagement and create the best possible experience for your viewers. You can mix and match them to serve your stream in the best way for your business.

‍Note: If you use the Desktop version, some features can be set up before the streaming.

‍Tip: For better engagement, you can have someone else watching and responding to comments from a desktop computer.

Live With

‍ Live With enables you to invite another person into your live stream when broadcasting from the mobile app. Only one guest at a time can join a Live broadcast, but you can switch guests in and out of your video.

‍Note: The host and the guest can only utilize "Live With" function from their phone, on the Facebook App for iOS or Android (make sure the App is updated to the latest version). In addition, if any of your viewers are Page admins for any Facebook Pages, viewers will only appear in their viewer list after they react or comment on the video they're viewing.

‍Tip: To go live with multiple people simultaneously, use external video conferencing software.

External Software

‍The use of third-party software allows you to create professional-looking videos, go live with multiple people simultaneously, and Livestream your video on multiple platforms.

There is an excellent variety of software to improve the quality of your video and make it look professional. Examples include: Ecamm, cMix, Streamyard, OBS and Wirecast.

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After your broadcast

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Understanding Video Metrics

‍Once you finish streaming, you can decide whether you want to delete the video (to create FOMO effect) or keep it (we recommend keeping it for increased reach and added value).

Either way, it is essential to understand the streaming metrics. There are several Live-specific parameters that should give you a good idea of what worked best and help you optimize your next video.

Now that you're all setup on the technical side, it is important to learn How to Plan and Deliver your Live Streaming. If the above article was useful, I would say that this Planning and Delivering guide is incredibly useful as it contains specific examples of how to make the best out of your live streaming! Woohoo! 🚀

👉 Next time you're going live,  read our 2 Minute CHECKLIST for a Successful Facebook Live to make sure you don't forget anything! 😎
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