tips for improving your Facebook Live broadcasts

Facebook Live lets you stream video through your Facebook page or profile. While many churches use it to stream worship, it can also be a great way to minister beyond the worship service.To get more news about 39bet-casino trực tuyến-sicbo-máy đánh bạc- cờ bạc onl- cờ bạc trực tuyến, you can visit official website.

One of Facebook Live's strengths is its flexibility, allowing you to stream practically anything you want on virtually any level of equipment — from your phone to professional gear. Whether you're doing a spur-of-the-moment broadcast or something preplanned, there are things you can do to take your Facebook Live broadcasts to the next level.

1. CREATE A WINNING SETUP
No matter what you're streaming, you want to create a good experience for your viewers. Shaky video, poor quality sound or a weak signal that causes skips and drops during the broadcast will discourage viewers from sticking around.
If you have questions about video gear and setups, check out a recent episode of the MyCom Church Marketing Podcast where United Methodist Communications video specialist Laurens Glass offers practical advice.

2. TEST AND EVALUATE
As with all Facebook posts, you can set the level of visibility from entirely private to public. For a test run, set the privacy level to "only me." This way, you can use the Facebook Live platform, but none of your followers will be able to see it. After completing the test broadcast, choose the option that posts the video to your page. Again, it will not be visible to your followers, but you can watch and evaluate the broadcast.

3. PREPARE FOR YOUR BROADCAST
Hootsuite's tips for Facebook Live notes, "Appearing authentic is not the same as being unprepared." This is as good a tip for live streaming as it is for preaching a sermon!

Identify a primary topic and then prepare an outline and a list of questions to ask your viewers. This will not only keep you on track, but it will help you keep the momentum going if there is not much interaction or input from your live audience.

4. PICK THE RIGHT TIME
What sets Facebook Live apart from a traditional video is the opportunity for viewers to watch and interact with you as you record. If you are broadcasting from an event, you may not have total control over the day and time. If the air time is your choice, though, plan to broadcast at a time when your followers are most likely to be active on Facebook. To determine this, click on "Insights" at the top of your church's Facebook Page, and then select "Posts" from the left column. Here you will find charts showing you the days and times when your followers are most active.

One challenge you may face is that many people don't have time to watch Facebook during the workday. This means that you may find the most success broadcasting early in the morning, at lunch, after dinner time or on the weekend.
5. PROMOTE YOUR BROADCAST AHEAD OF TIME
Facebook's number 1 tip for Live sessions is to let your followers know ahead of time when you will be streaming. Announce the date and time, preview the topic and ask for questions or ideas. This will not only drive interest, but it can help you prepare your outline and cover what viewers want to know.

If you are using a more professional setup, accessing Facebook Live through an API, you can even schedule a broadcast. This will create a post with a countdown to the beginning of air time.

6. WRITE A COMPELLING DESCRIPTION
Facebook Live sessions can show up in many different places — from the top of the mobile app alongside Stories to the news feed to user notifications. Some of these locations will include your video description, and some will not. Don't let that stop you from taking the time to craft a post that will attract viewers.
7. START STRONG AND BEGIN WITH THE REPLAY IN MIND
Even if you have promoted your broadcast ahead of time, it will take a few minutes to build an audience. Instead of letting this time be "dead air," use it to your advantage. If you plan to post the Live session to your wall after its completion, begin your video by welcoming people who are watching the replay. This may feel odd, but having a strong beginning will help viewer retention during the replay. About the time you are done welcoming them in, you likely will have your first live viewers to welcome.
8. INTERACT WITH VIEWERS
As best you can, interact with viewer comments as they are posted. When people introduce themselves, welcome them by name. When they ask a question, offer an answer or turn it around and ask the other viewers for their perspective. When you ask a question, read aloud some of the answers coming in. When viewers feel a part of the broadcast, they are more likely to stick around.
9. OFFER CONTEXT AND RECAPS THROUGHOUT
As much as we would love for the entire audience to tune in at the beginning of the broadcast and stay to the end, that is not going to happen. Viewers will join late, drop out early or even leave and return multiple times. And if viewers share your live broadcast — which is great — not only will this bring new viewers, but the latecomers may be Facebook friends of the viewer who are unfamiliar with you or your church.