Watson & Co. Chartered Marketing Digital Marketing Tool of the Week: Live Video Streaming – Facebook Live
Watson & Co. Chartered Marketing founder Christine Watson is an elected board member of The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Ireland region. A former Chair of the CIM Ireland board from 2013 to 2015 Christine currently volunteers on the Communications and Education sub-committees.
Volunteering for your local marketing community isn’t a thankless task, it offers great opportunities to meet like minded professionals both locally and further afield, give something back – working with countless others to ensure that a strong value proposition, which meets your individual needs, is delivered within your region and the wonderful opportunity to try all sorts of new things that are not necessarily possible within your paid marketing position.
Knowing the effectiveness of new feature Facebook Live (which as of 1 June 2016 isn’t available to everyone just yet – celebrities, media and journalists all got the opportunity to try it first) and considering its importance for brands given that facebook’s news feed algorithm gives preference to live video (adweek), Christine volunteered to give it a go at the next CIM Ireland event – the CIM Ireland Marketing Awards launch on 24 May 2016.
The launch of the CIM Ireland Marketing Awards in the Academy restaurant at Ulster University Belfast campus, like many events, had a maximum capacity. Facebook live not only allowed the wise words of the speakers – 2015 Ireland Marketing Excellence Award Winner Nicola McCleery from Danske Bank and Head of the Judges and former CIM Ireland Chair John Edmund to be heard by people attending but also those who sat at the comfort of their desks or at home and even around the world. This new feature also enabled the event session to be saved for future use and legacy.
Facebook Live – The Results for CIM Ireland
Whilst only half a dozen or so watched live (well I did miss giving our various audiences any pre-warning – continual improvement objective one for my next facebook live!) the first CIM Ireland facebook live increased event reach in numbers – by 195 video views. With a total reach of 435 reported in facebook insights resulting in 65 engagements (as of 1 June 2016) facebook live also extended the geographical reach well beyond the event room in Belfast with viewers joining from as far away as Melbourne (delighted to engage with you again Joy!):
How to go live on facebook – step by step instructions
- Log into the Facebook iOS app or Facebook Android app
- Tap
at the top of your Timeline, News Feed or Page - Tap
- Write an optional description for your broadcast
- Tap Go Live to begin your broadcast
How to go live on facebook – step by step in pictures / screen grabs from Christine’s iphone 6S device using 4G
Tips for using facebook live (tips by facebook, edits by us)
- Tell fans when you’re broadcasting ahead of time (write a few facebook posts in advance of your scheduled facebook live broadcast, advising the topic, date, time (be aware of time differences!) and tag relevant stakeholders such as sponsors or speakers who are then notified and may amplify your message by sharing your content. Don’t be afraid to advise your twitter, LinkedIn and other platform followers as well as your email distribution list of your upcoming facebook live plans too)
- “Fail to prepare and prepare to fail” – Go live with a strong connection (check your WIFI or Mobile connection and device battery in advance of your scheduled facebook live. Do visit the room in advance (even if it is just minutes beforehand) in order to secure your best vantage point (regretfully our first facebook live had a table, a water jug and a glass obstructing the view somewhat). Try and avoid a tired shaky hand – we specifically purchased a mini tripod from Poundland at the grand cost of one pound sterling for this very reason, it also left us free to use a second mobile device to engage with our various social media channel discussions and make notes!)
- Write a compelling description before going live (if you are worried about the pressure, potential for errors and to save your battery power, as some events start late, draft your description in your notes or even email in advance and on the day at the time simply copy and paste)
- Ask viewers to follow you (subscribe) to receive notifications when you go live
- Say hello to commenters by name and respond to their comments live (attendees at the CIM Ireland Marketing Awards 2016 launch event were all lucky to re-engage with CIM Ireland ex-pat Joy Ferguson in Melbourne, Australia as a direct result of our facebook live trial. It is also worth noting that you should seek the permission of the speakers and advise the audience of planned broadcasting in advance, this also makes the speakers and audience aware of the facebook live and as such can enhance message amplification)
- Broadcast for longer periods of time to reach more people (viewers can always join and depart at will and catch up later where they will find your live broadcast stored within your facebook videos album)
- Use a closing line to signal the end of the broadcast (and thank viewers for listening in)
- Be creative and go live often (just make sure each and every broadcast you plan has value to your target customer top of mind and always remember our WorldHost customer service quote: “continual improvement is better than delayed perfection”)
For more examples and tips visit: https://live.fb.com
With thanks to the facebook live feature you can view the video from the 24 May launch of the CIM Ireland Marketing Awards 2016 which advises you on what you need to to do in order to win an award – it’s over on the CIM Ireland facebook page in the videos album –https://www.facebook.com/OfficialCIMIreland/
Interested in entering the awards this year to get recognised for your marketing excellence? Visit: http://www.cim.co.uk/events/cim-ireland-awards-2016/
Your Author – Christine
Blog created by Christine Watson DipM MCIM Chartered Marketer – Accredited WorldHost Customer Service and DigiBizSkills Digital Marketing Trainer and Business Mentor
To delve in deeper and uncover more marketing with impact you can find many more marketing, digital marketing and customer service tips, tools and best practice blogs on our website blog page or sign up for one to one consultancy and mentoring support or indeed register your interest in attending one of our upcoming training courses.
Do spread the love – blogs like these don’t come cheap, time is a priceless commodity! If you enjoyed reading our blog and found it useful we would value a review or testimonial on any one of our channels – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or simply email us – info@watsonsmarketing.com
Follow Us!