Three months after the rollout of Facebook Live to all its users, the new tool is catching on quickly. Within the last week alone, Facebook Live videos have dominated the news cycle. Seemingly ordinary individuals across the country have captured footage of monumental events, from the death of Philando Castile and the Norfolk, Virginia, shootout to the military coup in Turkey.
Facebook Live has reached the tipping point and is doing its best to capitalize on the momentum.
The social network is paying an estimated $2.2 million to select influencers to develop and create Facebook Live content. And they're just getting started. Facebook has more than $50 million allocated to incentivize about 150 media companies and celebrities to publish on Facebook Live.
For Facebook Live, this is a logical next step. They've proven the platform has power, but will people use it?
That's the next battle they'll have to face, according to data from an informal Business Insider survey. More than half of respondents have watched at least one video on Facebook Live, but 90 percent never created one.
Facebook has the audience (1.5 billion to be exact) and their attention. Users already like to watch live videos. In fact, people spend three times longer watching a live video compared to one that is no longer live, according to Facebook research.
Smell opportunity brewing? You should. This is your time to swoop in and grow your audience using this tool. The platform is waiting for content, and your audience can't wait to view it. Here are a few ideas to get you thinking about what content to live stream.
As you dabble in the new platform, check out the latest Facebook Live features.
1. Interactive — or not?
If you've seen a Facebook Live video, there's no way you missed the accompanying live comments and reactions. Now, users and publishers can hide them. All you have to do is swipe right. Want to bring them back? Drag left.
Interacting with the audience is a huge part of the allure of live streaming, but monitoring comments in the moment can alter content.
Try specifying time for Q&A's to maximize this feature.
2. Longer streaming limits
As you already know, Facebook is still writing the rulebook on how (and what) users can broadcast.
Due to requests from Facebook Live users and creators, Facebook has extended the live stream time from an hour and a half to four hours. Yes, more than double the amount of time! With this new feature, streaming conferences, events and panels will be a breeze.
For those using Facebook Graph API, you can create unlimited, unending live streams. Facebook suggested this feature for zoos, museums and aquariums, but the possibilities are infinite.
3. Larger viewing size
You could always record Facebook Live videos vertically or horizontally. But, until recently, the video would appear in square aspect on phones.
Now, when users hold their phone in landscape mode, the video will fill the whole screen. Simple yet powerful. iOS users will automatically see this feature, while Android users will have to wait until September.
