I’ve been saying it for years: live video is here to stay! With every social media platform adopting live video, it’s especially important for small business owners to get comfortable in front of the camera. A lot of us creative business owners didn’t sign up to be influencers and would rather tear our hair out than sit in front of a camera but we all know it’s something we need to do in order to grow our online presence. In fact, a lot of time in my coaching groups is devoted to helping artists and creatives come up with a live video plan so I thought I’d share all my tips for going live here, too!
Tips for Going Live: Setting Up
Before you even go live, it’s important to make sure that you’re set up for success. Choose the right space for going live — somewhere that friends, family, pets, and kids won’t be barging in to ask questions or interrupt. Once you have a space set up, there are a few piece of equipment you might find helpful.
Tips for Going Live: Equipment
- Lighting. While I think natural lighting is always the best and most flattering, it’s just not always possible. A ring light is a good option if you can’t get sunlight! Speaking of ring lights…
- Tripod. While a shaky camera effect might work well in action movie fight scenes, it’s not something your viewers will love. Ring light/tripod combos are affordable and effective for live videos!
- Headphones and mics. If you’re planning on repurposing your live then you want to make sure that you have high quality audio. If you find that your phone is picking up a lot of ambient noise then it’s time to invest in a good set of headphones with a high quality microphone.
Tips for Going Live: Purpose
Most social media platforms factor in the number of viewers along with how long they watch in order to boost your profile in the algorithm. Help your viewers out by being clear about what you’re going to be discussing, doing, or painting on your live to encourage them to stick around longer.
Here are some great reasons to host a livestream:
- Teaching your viewers a new skill
- Live sales
- Q&A sessions
- Demonstrating a product
- Interviewing someone
- Show off your expertise
- Trying something new
The most important reason behind hosting lives is that it allows you to connect with your audience and build relationships among your community in real time! I always feel so much closer with my friends and followers after a live because it feels like a real conversation; they’re able to ask me questions and see my live, unfiltered responses.
Make sure that each of your live videos also includes a call to action, something that you want your viewers to do during or after the live.
Tips for Going Live: Topics
Even if you know why you’re going live, it can be hard to figure out what in the world to talk about. One of my favorite tips for going live is to have a list of topics that are important to my audience that I feel comfortable chatting about for ages.
- What’s the story behind your brand name?
- What is your favorite tool that you use in your business?
- Share a story about launching your business.
- What keeps you motivated?
- What inspires you to create?
- What is your morning routine?
- Try out new products on the market and review them live.
- What are you really excited about?
- Prepare your favorite easy recipe.
- What were you like as a child?
- What is the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you?
- Who inspires you?
- What is your superpower?
- What is something no one knows about you?
- What do you always have in your bag/pockets?
- What was the last thing you bought? Why?
- What weird things have happened to you recently?
- What is your big goal? What is on your vision board?
- What are you reading? What is your favorite book?
- What is your favorite quote? Why?
- What are you most grateful for?
- What are you irrationally afraid of?
There are so many ways to find more topics, too! Take note of the kinds of questions and comments your audience leaves on your page and use those to inform your future content.
Tips for Going Live: Mindset
I know it can be frightening to get in front of the camera, but it doesn’t have to be! Most of the people who want to watch your live videos are going to care more about what it is you have to say than how you look. Imposter syndrome works hard to make you feel like you’re not deserving of the spotlight, but with a little bit of mindset work you’ll realize you have everything it takes to be a success! Click here to read some of my best mindset tips.
Tips for Going Live: Consistency
You can’t go live once and expect it to boost your business! Long-term success requires long-term commitment, so come up with a consistent schedule for your lives in order to make sure that your viewers are able to plan ahead and show up every time. Some platforms even allow you to create an event ahead of time and invite your followers! Consider all the ways that you can serve your audience and the best time for doing so and then commit to a schedule.
Tips for Going Live: What Comes Next
Going live doesn’t have to be the end of the journey! Live videos can be repurposed in many ways, from turning them into blog posts to editing them down to make full tutorials. The only limit is your imagination! Read my marketing tips for creatives to learn even more about growing your business online.
Make sure to follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest to see what I do in my lives!
