Live video has become an increasingly popular marketing tactic over the past few years. One of the easiest ways to do this is by leveraging Facebook LIVE and setting up your stream could not be any easier. Here is what you need to start streaming;

• Personal or Business Facebook Page
• A smart phone, laptop, or another recording device with access to the Facebook app, the Facebook Pages Manager app (App Store| Google Play), or a live encoder
• A strong internet connection

Facebook LIVE is a very simple tool which makes it very effective when you pair it with your, already engaged, Facebook audience. Putting your message in front of people that have already opted into receiving your marketing content. Follow along as I explain the technology and software that you will need to produce a professional live stream.

A Quality Camera

It's 2017 everyone, we all have smart phones, therefore we all have a hi-res camera in our pockets. This makes it super simple to open up the facebook app and go live whenever you want. That being said, If you are working with a professional multi-camera set-up, Facebook allows for live streaming from any device with live video encoding software. just be sure to use a tripod when using camera equipment to ensure a clear, steady picture. 

Audio Equipment

Using an external microphone such as a lavaliere or a shotgun microphone can enhance the quality of your stream 10-fold. Increasing the audio quality will increase the professionalism and in some cases the digestibility of your content. If you are at a live event such as a conference you may be working in a noisy environment and a lavaliere microphone can solve that issue. 

Set-up

Make sure to be aware of your surroundings when setting up a live shoot. If it feels too loud, it is most likely too loud. If it feels like there's not enough light, then there is definitely not enough light. Use your surroundings wisely. Create a nice backdrop with background elements.

For example, if you are in an office building and one side faces another building but the other side has a nice view of the mountains, use the view of the mountains as your backdrop. 

Now that you know how to setup your live shoot, read my blog, How to Leverage Facebook LIVE in your Audience Engagement Strategy, to learn how to be more effective with your live shoot.