Before Facebook Live, bloggers would just make a pre-recorded video and post it on their Facebook page. I remember the first time a blogger who I followed and admired posted a video of herself. She was sitting on her couch, looking down at her feet and I forget what she was talking about. It wasn’t very memorable. It was awful. But you know what? I LOVED IT! I DIDN’T CARE that it was awful. Why? Because I felt such a connection to her as a person, just because I saw her talk on video. And I was SOLD on the power of video and knew that I had to do it.
So… I did a few short videos and then Facebook Live came along and I haven’t turned back! I usually do a Facebook Live every week or two.
Facebook Live Made Easy For Bloggers
We hear all the time that LIVE video is the way to go. And at this season of Blogging and online marketing, it is.
Facebook Live: Your Reach
The My Side of 50 Facebook Page has 554 followers.
In the last couple of weeks, my blog posts have been shown to anywhere from 9 (yes that’s NINE) to 483 people. That 483 was rare. Most of the time Facebook shows my posts to under 100.
In the last 3 months, when I post a Facebook LIVE video, it is shown to a minimum of 300 people with the largest reach being 553.
So since Facebook likes their live video so much, they are eager to show it to more people and that means a larger reach for you!
[bctt tweet=”Read how Facebook Live can expand your reach.” username=”MySideof50″]
But I find that many bloggers are afraid to get in front of the camera, don’t know what in the world they would have to say or both.
Facebook Live: How to Get Started
- Keep in short. A Facebook Live does not to be lengthy unless at some point you branch out into teaching something or doing a demonstration that is longer.
- Jot down few points that you want to make. Notice I said jot down a few points – not write a whole script. Facebook Live is not meant to be SCRIPTED. It is a conversation between you and your readers.
- And speaking of your readers…if they have liked your FB page, they already like you and want to hear what you have to say. That’s why they liked your page.
- I think of Facebook Live as a conversation and in turn a relationship builder with my readers. Not a performance. So whatever you do…it doesn’t have to be perfect. When you are having a conversation with a friend, you don’t do it with a script and you don’t worry about it being perfect.
- And unless you are a super popular blogger with a million followers, you probably won’t have that many people watching you live at first anyway. They’ll watch it later when it comes up in your feed. So you don’t have to feel like you are on the network news when you are actually LIVE.
- Do a practice run through with the video app on your camera. This will help you see where you get hung up or if you need to add/delete anything. Just do ONE. Don’t spend an hour practicing this. As effective as Facebook Live is, it can be a huge time suck if you get hung up on doing the perfect performance. And who needs one more time-consuming blogging task? Are you with me?
[bctt tweet=”Read how you can use Facebook Live as a relationship builder with your audience.” username=”MySideof50″]
Facebook Live: What To Talk About
- What you have coming up on the blog this week.
- A little background about those posts or a story. For example, I wrote a post with a yummy cheeseball recipe. It’s close to Superbowl time so I talk about the Superbowl being in Houston this year, the Texans being in the playoffs and how great this would be to serve at a Superbowl Party. (Update: The Texans bit it in the playoffs. The big game is between the Patriots & Falcons.)
- Or I could have told a story about how we devoured this same cheeseball at our house on Christmas Day and that I make it every year. The point is to give them a little something that helps them get to know you.
- Talk about a giveaway you are doing. For those signing up for the My Side of 50 e-mail list, I have a giveaway that is a printable of 3 New Ways To Tie A Scarf. In my Live video, talked about how I only know 2 ways to tie a scarf and how handy this guide was to print out and tape to the back of their closet.
- Give them a short tease on a couple of upcoming blog posts.
- Tell them why they should subscribe to your newsletter and what subscribers get.
- Show them something. If you have a DIY project, or a craft project or a dish you have made that will be on the blog, show it to them.
[bctt tweet=”Don’t know what to talk about on a FB Live? Get 30 Facebook Live Topics here.” username=”MySideof50″]
Get my 30 Facebook Live Topics Here
Facebook Live: The Technical Part
This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. If you purchase a product through my link, I may receive a small commission. I so appreciate every click-through and purchase! Every little bit helps to keep My Side of 50 up and running!
Facebook Live is not very technical. You can record from your Personal Page, Blog Page or Blog Group Page. I usually do it from my Blog Page and then share on my Personal Page and in my blog group afterward.
Start here. You can see that I went to the My Side of 50 Facebook Page and hit “Publish”.
- Click on the button that says Live Video.
- Fill in the topic of your Facebook Live. Use keywords.
- You can hold your phone, turn the camera to face you and then hit the red button, it will give you a 3-2-1 countdown and you’re live.
- Be sure to actually look into the camera on your phone so that your viewers will see you looking at them!
- You can use a selfie stick. Holding your phone and using a selfie stick can get a little tiring if you are going long.
- Set up using a desktop tripod. That’s what I do. I use an inexpensive one like this one. I just set it up, attach the phone and I’m good to go. If I was making this tripod purchase again, I would buy this one. It’s flexible and you can position your phone at different angles, like over a bowl or pot if you are doing a cooking demonstration.
- If you want to improve your lighting, you can get an inexpensive ring light here. This one just attaches to your phone.
- When you’re finished, hit the red button. At this point, you can edit your description.
- Share in other places like your personal page.
- Download to YouTube.
Facebook Live: Final Tips
- Should you give your followers notice that you will be going live at a certain time? If you don’t want to the first time because you are just getting your feet wet, then give yourself a pass on the first one. Otherwise, I would announce it ahead of time – maybe the day before (if you are organized enough to know you are doing a Facebook Live the next day) and an hour or two before. If you know you will be doing your LIVE on a topic, then say so. “I’m doing a Facebook Live tomorrow at 1:00 on 5 entertaining hacks.”
- When you start you LIVE, ask your visitors to let you know they are there. Ask them to say “Hi” in the comments or put in the comments where they are listening from.
- Include a Call to Action in all your Facebook Lives – Subscribe, Read the Blog Post, Download the Opt-in or share this video.
- Share. Share it to your personal or other Facebook pages you have. Download it to your YouTube channel.
Facebook Live is a great tool for reaching your audience. Don’t sweat it. Just do it. Remember…the point is CONNECTION and RELATIONSHIP. Not perfection.
You can see all of my perfectly “imperfect”Facebook Live videos here.
Get 30 Facebook Live Topics HERE.
See my video: Facebook Live Made Easy For Bloggers HERE.
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Cathy Lawdanski is a 50 something writer who is learning to be brave and try new things. She writes about topics that resonate with midlife women - aging parents, adult children, grandchildren, travel, books, food, entertainment, retirement and whatever new adventure she is on!
You make it sounds easy.
You make it sound so easy! Thanks for sharing.
It’s not so bad once you do it. Give it a try! and sharing. I’d like to invite you to like my Blogger Smarter FB Page and Follow Blogger Smarter on Twitter.
I’ve been starting to try to make videos Cathy although I don’t enjoy it. I even try to keep it real by appearing without makeup especially if I’m out for a run. I didn’t really understand FB live so thanks for the detailed post. Maybe I can give it a try. Thanks for the inspiration.
Sue, I love your videos! Since we are in different parts of the world, I always thought I was watching a replay of what you did Live. I guess doing it live doesn’t really matter. Your videos are great and I feel like I really know you because of them. Keep doing them – live or recorded. You are great!
Hi Cathy – I’ve pinned this because you’ve done a great job of putting it all together in a straightforward way. I’ve never done a video or FB Live and I’m really too scared to at this stage – but who knows what the future holds – Right?
That’s right, Leanne – hang on to the post. You never know…
Thanks, I’ll need to Pin this so I can have for future reference!
Great – thanks for sharing, Jennifer!
Thank you Cathy. Doing the whole Facebook live thing scares me to death but you’ve taken a lot of that scare factor away with this post. Pinning for one day when I ‘v gathered up enough courage
Michelle – so glad that it took a little of the “mystery” out of it for you. Hope you’ll give it a try!
Cathy, I love your Facebook Lives! I have used them to get the courage to do my own. Not that I love doing them, I’m still nervous, but it’s much easier using your tips!
Thanks for sharing all this and taking the time to put it together, I’m working on my schedule for the next 6 months and I need to take the time to do a few FB Lives a month!
You’ve created a monster! LOL
I love it and I’m proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone. I only see positive things for your blog and business by you doing them!
Okay, thank you for this! I have been waffling on whether to try this or not. I’m still waffling, but at least I’ll have a better understanding of it if I decide to do it.
Michelle – give it a try! Glad the post was helpful. and sharing. I’d like to invite you to like my Blogger Smarter FB Page and Follow Blogger Smarter on Twitter.
Looks like you covered this how to very well. Commenting from The Women of Midlife FB group. Shared on social media 🙂
Thanks, Dee!
Great post! Thanks for all this information. FB Live is on my radar for later in 2017.
You will be great at it!
And still I wonder who has the time to view all of the many videos, clips and live social media I see. I can’t help but think that productivity has plummeted since social media arrived.
Those of us who never get our housework done…
Yay! This is great. Just yesterday I was having this conversation with a friend about how we should be doing this. Thanks, Cathy. I’ll let you know when I get it going. I do love the light and holder for the phone, so I’ll be getting that. Lighting is everything!!! Thanks again..sharing this post!
Cathy, I know you would be GREAT doing FB Live!!!! Let me know when you’re on. Would love to watch and support you! and sharing. I’d like to invite you to like my Blogger Smarter FB Page and Follow Blogger Smarter on Twitter.
This is great, thanks for the very user friendly guidance Cathy! I’ll get brave and do it in the not too distant future 🙂
Valerie – You will be great! Message me when you do it – would love to watch and support you. and sharing. I’d like to invite you to like my Blogger Smarter FB Page and Follow Blogger Smarter on Twitter.
Thanks for the tips Cathy! I still have not taken the plunge on Facebook live… for all the reasons that you stated. For some reason, I think it’s more of the “live” part that actually scares me. I have no problem posting Snapchat videos and such. I’m pinning, tweeting and stumbling this post. Maybe one day I’ll take the plunge…
Thanks so much Lindsey – If your audience is on Snapchat, then you are doing exactly what you are supposed to do. Way to go!
I know I commented on this, but it’s gone gone gone.
You certainly did – it’s showing up on my end. Thanks for reading and commenting, Carol! I appreciate it.
Cathy, I’m SO glad I found your post through the #WayWow linkup with Nikki. I really needed to read this. My wife, Aliyah (God bless her for her patience with me) has been trying for many, many months to get me on the FB Live wagon and I’ve been resisting, saying I’ll get around to it (ha!).
Your presentation of the value of sharing live videos and your clear suggestions and instructions have helped me to decide that, shy as I am, I can do it (and survive). Thanks so much. My wife and I are grateful. All the best.
Reuven – you’ve made my day!!!! I hope you’ll give it a try. It’s always best to listen to your wife. 🙂 and sharing. I’d like to invite you to like my Blogger Smarter FB Page and Follow Blogger Smarter on Twitter.
So I think I’m finally inspired. Thank you for the great info! Coming from the Blogger’s Pit Stop.
Debbie – I’ll be waiting to see your first FB Live! and sharing. I’d like to invite you to like my Blogger Smarter FB Page and Follow Blogger Smarter on Twitter.
Very detailed info on how to! Thank you Cathy for sharing this post at the Wednesday AIM Link Party. I shared it on my social media sites.
Glad you thought so, Dee! I’d like to invite you to like my Blogger Smarter FB Page and Follow Blogger Smarter on Twitter.
Man girl…you are my hero!! I would never have thought to try this before hearing you say what you did!!
Okay…before the end of the winter, I’ll try it. I bookmarked this page to remind me!!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Can’t wait to see you do it. There are so many FB Live possibilities for Fashion Bloggers!
Hi, Carol. Wow, lots of great ideas for using Facebook Live here.
I’ve tried it a few times but I tend to be paralyzed when on video and say a lot of umms and forget what I was talking about.
You’d think that now that I’m past 40 I wouldn’t be so self-conscious.
I do notice that those who utilize this option tend to grab my attention more. I feel more connected (just like you said).
I shared this on my Facebook Tips board on Pinterest.
Enjoy your Day,
Sara @ SaraDuggan.me
Sara – it can be intimidating. I was watching the FB Live I did yesterday and I noticed that I said “uh” A LOT! LOL! Thanks for reading and sharing. I’d like to invite you to like my Blogger Smarter FB Page and Follow Blogger Smarter on Twitter.
Fantastic, I see a lot of people hang up on if they can do it should they do it, I say go right ahead and step out of the box. there is no box 🙂 Facebook live is a great resource and we better utilize it before FB monetizes it.
Great point, Julie! I know that you are great an utilizing FB Live. Thanks for reading and commenting.
I stated off with Periscope another live streaming app but have seen the benefits of Facebook to connect with an audience. At first it feels weird but before you know it you are engaged in the live stream community.
Wow! You make it sound easy. Thank you. I am not brave enough yet, but maybe sometime in the future. You are so right that it is the way to go.
[…] Cathy from My Side of 50 – Facebook Live Made Easy for Bloggers […]
Cathy this popular post made the most-clicked list on The Bloggers Pit Stop. Congratulations, be looking for a feature on Friday.
Kathleen -that is so exciting! Thank you!
[…] FACEBOOK LIVE MADE EASY FOR BLOGGERS by Cathy […]
[…] FACEBOOK LIVE MADE EASY FOR BLOGGERS by Cathy […]
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[…] Facebook Live Made Easy For Bloggers […]
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I’m an instructional technology coach for my school district and do a lot of how-to videos for using software. Thanks for sharing this information! I might have to start doing videos for my personal blog!
Roseann – if you are already doing videos, you would be great on Facebook Live! Give it a try!
This post is gold! I’ve only made one Live video because I’ve been terrified that I’d just be sitting there and there’d be crickets. haha Your tips have given me confidence – like the fact that it can be short! Thanks for this.
The How-to Guru
I’ve been wanting to dabble in FB love these are great tips!!!!
This is great! I haven’t used live yet, but I think I should plan on it! It might help grow my blog! 🙂
You really make it sound easy, I have to agree with Carol in that one! I have never done a FB live video – guess there is still this barrier but I really want to do one now! Thanks for the great tips!
Great post. It’s not too hard, just takes some practice!!
GREAT tutorial, great tips! I haven’t jumped into livestreaming but it’s in my plan. I’ll be sharing this with my blogging group!
I struggle with FB iv. I’d like to do some short things on the products I share but I look at the ones out there and they make me squirm. Looking up someone’s nose….argh!
Gillian – LOL! Yes, you do have to angle your phone so people DON’T look up your nose! I like the ones that are short with a simple tip or something about a product – just like you said. Get my list of Facebook Live Topic Ideas for when you are ready to give it a shot! https://app.convertkit.com/landing_pages/155019?v=6
Thanks Cathy; I have bookmarked your page and will get back to it when I am ready for it. Too much on my plate right now.
Marinka – totally get it. In this post, I wrote about figuring out what is working and concentrating on that. Check it out!http://mysideof50.com/top-4-things-sucessful-bloggers-do/
I have never done FB live but I can definitely see the benefits of using it as a blogger! Maybe one day I will try it!
Ashley – hope you got some good ideas from the post for when you do give it a try. Subscribe to Blogger Smarter for weekly blogging tips. Follow Blogger Smarter on Facebook.
This was so helpful. Not sure if I’m brave enough to actually do it . . . but it’s good to know how. 🙂
Thanks Cathy for sharing all these great tips. I have put up videos in the past, but never live. This has me thinking I will give it a go. I just went to FB & it took me to settings. I couldn’t see exactly what I am to turn on? I’d love to give it a go. Thanks so much for the inspiration.
Estelle, you have to do it from your phone. Go to where you would normally write a post. then you’ll see an icon that says Live Video. That’s what you click to get started. It takes you to a screen and won’t started the video until you click the “Go Live” button.
Cathy, this is so great. I want to try, but I’m like Estelle. I couldn’t find the button on Facebook. So now I’m hunting on my phone and I can’t find it there either. HELP! 🙂 I’ve pinned this page so I don’t lose it as well as tweeted the messages. A Golden Wedding
Shirley, you have to do it from your phone. Go to where you would normally write a post. then you’ll see an icon that says Live Video. That’s what you click to get started. It takes you to a screen and won’t started the video until you click the “Go Live” button.
[…] FACEBOOK LIVE MADE EASY FOR BLOGGERS by Cathy […]
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