More than 1 billion people are active on Facebook. In fact, if Facebook was a country, it would be significantly larger than China.
Needless to say, if you have a business, you should definitely be on Facebook. Your current and/or future customers/team members likely use it. All day every day Facebook users share questions, observations, reviews, tips, etc. They key is to get them talking about YOU, right? That’s our plan here.
So let’s say you’re one of the super savvy people who is using Facebook to generate business. Have you noticed the new feature on your profile from your mobile device that allows you to go LIVE? That’s right, you can now shoot live video straight from Facebook mobile.
Why is this important? Because video is HIGHLY engaging and it’s a key way to establish trust and credibility with your audience. (Check out my video marketing tips by clicking here!)
When I discovered Facebook Live I HAD to try it. My very first one generated about 25 live viewers, but within an hour, more than 100 people had watched it. THAT is how you leverage your time and network. It’s a beautiful thing to do something one time and reap the rewards of return viewers and letting people who are just discovering the content watch a replay.
I saw the business potential immediately after my first Facebook Live experience and as the owner of a virtual franchise, I saw this as a perfect way to share what we offer in a personal, professional manner. So how am I using it to build my virtual business? I started hosting virtual events!
Here are a few benefits that illustrate why you should be hosting virtual events too – especially if you’re a virtual business owner like me:
#1 – Easily educate your audience. Virtual events are a platform you can use to educate your audience using live video through Facebook right from the comfort of your own home. Your audience sees you on video, but you can’t see them – only their profile picture. Show them how your products work. Announce a new feature of your product or share a new customer incentive.
#2 – Audience interaction. Although Facebook Live only allows one screen to be shown per video (currently), your viewers can easily interact with you via the live chat function under the live video. As viewers are jumping on the video, I like to ask where people are from and how they heard about the virtual event. (Did they see a post on Facebook, Instagram, did a friend invite them, etc.) It’s really neat when you have people participating from across the U.S. and even other parts of the world.
#3 – Take their temperature. You can gauge response to your live stream immediately because viewers can use all of the emoticons Facebook offers as well – like, love, wow, sad, haha. etc. While you are speaking, it’s helpful to see the hearts and thumbs up/like symbols flash across the screen as people are enjoying what you’re sharing.
#4 – Cost-effective. Anyone anywhere can participate for free without complicated technical installations/downloads or costly conference call or webinar services.
#5 – More compelling. Live video allows your audience to hear, see, and feel your passion and enthusiasm for what you’re sharing. They can see your smile and how you genuinely love what you’re talking about. It’s WAY more effective than a phone call.
#6 – If you’re already active on Facebook, then you have a built-in audience! When you setup your event, you can immediately start inviting your Facebook friends and/or fans. Then they can invite their friends as well. Before you know it, your invitation has gone viral! You invite 50 friends, then they invite 50 friends…you can imagine how quickly that multiplies!
#7 – Immediate promotion. Once you go live, Facebook notifies your friends. How handy is that?
#8 – Replay archive. Once you’ve finished a Facebook Live, the video is archived to your Facebook so people can come back and re-watch OR catch the replay if they missed the original feed. Your friends/fans can also share the replay of the video to their news feeds.
#9 – Privacy please. You can go live either directly from your Facebook wall OR if you want only a select group of people to attend, you can create a private Facebook event and go live from within the event. This has been my favorite way to help my team and also offer a valuable service to my clients.
Do you now see the value of this great feature like I do? There are many helpful ways you can leverage Facebook Live for your virtual business. Along with the benefits above, I’ve put together a tip sheet that breaks down step-by-step how I setup my Facebook events to generate business for my virtual franchise.
This tip sheet is a helpful resource for anyone who has an online business or is thinking about starting one.
Who would’ve imagined 10 years ago we would have access to a free international broadcasting platform like this? Are you using Facebook Live already? If not, will you be using it soon?
If you found this post helpful, please share it on your favorite social channel!
Have questions or want to connect further, please come say hello on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. Have a great day and come back soon!
To your success,
Resource(s):
How to Use Facebook Live: A Complete Guide
PS: Do you have a passion for social media or wish you could find a way to generate extra income online? Click here to find out more about how you can start creating an income from a virtual business in just a few minutes a day!
I’ve wanted to try Facebook live but so far am still scared too! I’m not a video person haha
That’s so cool! didn’t even know the feature existed and now my mind is whirring with possibilities! Thank you for sharing 🙂
One of the most important thing in current era for successful business
Facebook Live is really taking off. I am considering using it. Thank you for the tip sheet, and your resources.
Great tips! I started using Facebook lately and I loved it so far. I see many bloggers switching to Facebook from Periscope and I believe it’s a sign that I need to invest my time in FB Live too. Thank you for the inspiration!
http://stylesprinter.com/
This post is exactly what I needed! I’m so hopeless with promoting my blog, so any tips help XD
We have used this feature in our business and our team also and we love it! I love seeing the thumbs up, hearts etc flying across the screen 🙂
A friend of mine and a fellow blogger started using LIVE and I must say he was really entertaining. I’m still afraid to take the plunge though. I don’t even do videos yet for my blog, let alone broadcast anything live lol! It is a very engaging platform I agree.
What a great post! I enjoy learning more about online marketing, so your post definitely helped me. Thanks for sharing!
Oh this is so helpful. I’d consider trying out Facebook Live. It does sound like a good way to contact your followers.
Haven’t tried Facebook Live yet, but it is getting more interesting to me. Still trying to get used to Snapchat! 😉
I’ve loved Facebook Live so far! It’s been fun to show my readers destinations live and its fun to interact that way. Thanks for these tips, I will use them in my next cast 🙂
I wasn’t aware of this feature of Facebook until I read your post. Now I feel way more informed! Thanks for all the great information!
-Beth
http://www.TheStyleBouquet.com
I have not used Facebook Live yet but I know it has documented some key events so it is an excellent feature.
I didn’t try Facebook Live yet. I might do it though, soon, on my next trip. I am very shy on camera so I would probably find another way of using it than showing my own face, haha
Great tips and I am considering using Facebook Live. Thank you for these tips!
Amazing ideas you have here for promotion. I think it’s good to utilize this new feature especially if you’re a blogger. Growing your audience through Facebook Live is awesome!
Thanks for the posts! Some great advice. I have tried the live stream once but didn’t have a huge audience. I have gotten some great ideas from your post about how to approach going live in the future.
These are great ideas! I have tried Facebook live but have been considering it! I will definitely refer to these if I ever make the plunge.
I never heard of Facebook Live before reading this! Is it a bit like Google Hangouts?
Just the tips I needed for my facebook live. Thanks for sharing!
I’ve recently been looking for ways to learn how to use videos with my blog. This sounds like a good idea.
This is a great feature I wasn’t even aware of. I will definitely give it a try for my business page to introduce new companies I am working with. Thank you for the tips!
Lesson learnt.. Thanks for sharing it out.. Goonna use fb live more..
Great info!! I don’t think I’m utilizing Facebook as effectively as I can , this will certainly help me as I rebrand!
We have been browsing through for some tips to promote our page on fb and your post has some great ideas. Thanks for sharing!
I always wanted to try Facebook Live but had not had the chance yet. Thanls for sharing these tips!
Very useful post indeed! I’ve seen that LIVE button, but I have never used it. You have convinced me that I should try it! Very good tips, thank you!!! 🙂
Great idea for growing our brand. Facebook made a smart choice in putting Facebook Live and making it a thing. It’s really a great way to grow bigger. Amazing tips.
Such a lovely write up and some good tips here. I need to utilise Facebook!
Ami xxx
http://www.ami-rose.com
I think facebook live is definitely on my list, i heard so many things about it. Thanks for the useful tips. x
A friend of mine who has a business loves Facebook live. It’s on my list of things to try when I have the time. I’ll have to look at your list!
Nina
aworldofdresses.com
Very useful tips and information. I’ve saved and bookmarked this page for later too to refresh my memory
I need to learn to be more comfortable with things like video. Thanks for the tips
I’ve seen Facebook live on my Facebook but I wasn’t sure what it was. Thanks for sharing this…I think I’ll give this one a shot and see how it goes.
Great information. I have not tried it out as yet, but it’s definitely something to look into once everything else is ready to go.
I tried facrook live.Unfortunately I had poor internet connectivity and couldn’t do it.So I uploaded a video instead
I have to get with the program! I know I need to start using Facebook live, I have to just do it or I never will.