Full live stream produced from Maryland with the subject matter expert located in North Carolina. Huge benefit of using a tool like Switcher Studio that offers a video chat option allowing the addition of remote guests.
We run a regular monthly series using this format.
Equipment used:
Check out a live stream I produced using the rig pictured here.
Sometimes, the best Facebook Live events are the simplest ones. No fancy graphics, no camera switching. Just good, authentic, informative content for the relevant audience.
To produce something like that, you really need three things: Power, connectivity and audio.
Power
If you don’t have power, you don’t have a broadcast. Make sure whatever camera or phone you’re using has a full charge or is plugged into power during your broadcast.
Connectivity
Notice how video quality isn’t on this list. That’s because with strong connectivity, you really won’t have to worry about video quality being an issue. I regularly go live using iOS devices using only cellular connectivity. If the signal is strong, the broadcast quality is great. The important thing here is to make sure you test, test and test again. Go to the location of your shoot well ahead of the day of your event to make sure the cell signal is enough if you’re going this route.
Obviously, if you can go with an ethernet or strong, secure Wi-Fi network, do that. But we’re talking simplicity here. All the options for connectivity are for another post.
Audio
If they can’t hear you, what’s the point? I absolutely recommend investing in a small microphone to attach to your camera or phone to use during your broadcasts. I love the Rode Videomicro.
I know this all seems pretty basic, but the point here is that going live is incredibly simple. And as a tactic that can really take your business to the next level, the simplicity is important to note.
Equipment in photo:
The iOgrapher case is the latest piece of equipment I’ve added to the live streaming arsenal. As of right now, most of my live streams are done using an iPad Mini 4, and it was time to finally invest in a case.
Previously, I had been using a cheap case that got the job done. All it was really designed to do was to support an iPad on a tripod. But I ran into enough minor issues that I was ready to move on. For example, when using the previous case during an Instagram Live and plugging in my iRig, the lightning plug had to be forced into the jack because this particular case wasn’t made to accommodate that sort of thing. Forcing cables into jacks is neither good for the cable or the jack on the device.
The iOgrapher is designed to not only allow easy cable access, but has room on the top for lighting equipment and microphones.
It provides nice stabilization if you’re shooting without a tripod as well, with grips on either side.
So far, so good on the iOgrapher 👌.
Equipment mentioned in this post:
I had the chance to test out the Rode SC6 mic adapter a couple weeks ago during a Facebook Live broadcast. I plugged in two Rode smartLav mics for the two on-camera hosts. The adapter itself was plugged into an iPad Mini 4.
I have to say the sound quality was crisp and the setup was easy. I was using the Switcher Studio app for broadcasting, and the audio was recognized right away without adjusting any sort of settings.
The only minor drawback here is that with a device like this there’s no way to adjust individual mic levels when you have two lavs plugged in, other than changing the position of the mic on the subjects.
This broadcast was done in a quiet room, and the overall production was incredibly simple, so that really wasn’t an issue. For $19.95, it’s absolutely worth it for small projects.
Equipment and software used for the broadcast:
I’ve had the opportunity to do all kinds of live streams on Facebook over the last year – events, sit-down interviews, small panel discussions, Facebook page takeovers – and I’ve determined that as long as you follow a few basic principles, your broadcast can be highly engaging and provide great value to your audience.
Take advantage of other marketing channels to get the word out about your broadcast. Create a Facebook event page, then add that link to your website. Put it in a newsletter. Post about it on your other social channels. Facebook event pages are a great way for your audience to get reminders about your event and ask questions ahead of time.
Ensure you have a strong WiFi connection, or even better, use a hardwired ethernet connection. Streaming requires high upload speeds and lots of bandwidth, and you’re not getting that on a poor connection. If you have to stream using cell signal or Wi-Fi, use a third party software like Switcher Studio to make sure your broadcast quality is slightly downgraded to make up for lack of connection.
Some would argue that audio is more important than video. Because this is streaming video over the internet, people can be forgiving of slightly grainy video or a little lag time. They won’t be forgiving if they can’t hear or understand what you’re saying. Film your broadcast in an area with minimal noise. You can also invest in a lavaliere microphone or mini boom microphone, like the Rode VideoMicro, that plugs directly into your mobile device. The audio quality will be drastically improved. It’s worth the small investment.
If you can help it, take advantage of the opportunity to connect directly with your audience and take their questions. Often, I’ve run into folks that want to go live on Facebook, but don’t want to answer questions from the audience either because their uncomfortable or the information is too sensitive. If the information is too sensitive, you probably shouldn’t be going live in the first place. And if you have a true subject matter expert speaking, they should absolutely feel comfortable communicating to viewers. The beauty of Facebook Live is that if you don’t like a particular question that comes in, you can skip right over it.
Continue to remind the audience who you are and what you’re talking about. Also, if someone asked a great question early in the broadcast, consider re-answering it for new audience members. Viewers are constantly coming and going from Facebook Live broadcasts, so make sure you’re taking into account the new folks.
Even though the live broadcast has ended, you can still continue sharing it! In my experience, I typically see more engagement in the 24 hours after the video ends than during the broadcast itself. Be ready for commenters that may have just missed the live event or simply still think the video is live. It also can’t hurt to put a little money behind the video once it’s over. Again, be ready to answer questions. The audience won’t care that the live video has ended. There’s most likely a lot of great information they can still find useful regardless of when they get it.
The great thing about Facebook Live is the direct engagement with your audience coupled with the authenticity of it all. Follow these few simple guidelines and I promise your broadcast will be successful.