In April, Facebook launched Facebook Live, a live video platform designed to help individuals and businesses engage their followers and grow their audiences in a new way. The feature lets users connect with their Facebook fans instantly and is a great platform for any business that wants to interact with its audience in real time. Brands like Nissan, Target and Dunkin’ Donuts have already started utilizing it successfully.
Businesses can use Facebook Live in a variety of ways. The new platform is a unique way to showcase products, conduct tutorials and demos, answer customer questions, share breaking news or company events, interview thought leaders, give a behind-the-scenes tour, perform live and more.
According to digital marketing company Syndacast, a predicted 74 percent of all Internet traffic will be video by 2017. Shoppers who view video are 1.81 times more likely to purchase than non-viewers. If your business isn’t already using video, now is the perfect time to start.
Other video-sharing platforms, like YouTube, are extremely successful but the difference is that Facebook Live is a much more personal and interactive use of video. While viewing your content, viewers can comment and ask questions you can then answer live. Mentioning those who comment by name makes for a more informal and personal conversation, increasing your approachability and relatability as a business. And while platforms like Periscope have similar features, 1.6 billion people are already on Facebook, so you aren’t building your audience from scratch.
Customers love to see the people behind the brand and Facebook Live is the perfect opportunity to showcase that. You can also target your Facebook Live broadcast to reach the right audience with each video, and once the broadcast ends, the video will post on your company’s Facebook page so viewers who didn’t get a chance to tune in can watch later.
No matter what type of business you have, Facebook Live is a great resource to deepen your connection with your customers, increase brand loyalty and grow your audience.
-Amanda Bell is a social media and PR specialist at Waukesha-based branding agency z2.
