Video – Almost An Author

Your Facebook Live’s Schedule, Length, and Location Will Form Your Strong Foundation

Taking the focus off of ourselves and placing it on our audience changes everything. Everything. That’s exactly what a Facebook Live program does. You already focus on others as you serve in your community, church, and at work. Take that same caring spirit and passion to serve online with Facebook Live, and watch your audience grow!

Since I’ve hosted over 500 60-minute Facebook Live programs, I’m often asked a broad range of questions about it. Here are three regarding the schedule and length of a live program:

#1: Can I hop on a Facebook Live whenever I feel like it?

#2: What’s the ideal length for a Facebook Live?

#3: I don’t have a Facebook page yet, so can I go live on my profile?

#1: Can I Hop On A Facebook Live Whenever I Feel Like It?

Uh, nooooo. Well, technically you can, but you’d miss the main reason for using Facebook Live: your audience. Without knowing when you’ll be live, viewers can’t add your program to their schedule, and without them, you’re simply a talking head, speaking into an empty space. Ugh!

Choose a specific day and time for your program. This allows more viewers to join because they’ll know when you’ll be on. Dependability is a hallmark of a professional.

Some think, “I’ll just hop on for a few minutes, say what I want to say, and get off,” but your audience needs time to 1) remember your program is coming up, 2) disengage from whatever project they’re working on, 3) pour their favorite beverage, and 4) get their notepad (assuming your previous programs offered worthwhile content).

If your program only lasts a few minutes, you’ll be offline before they’ve gotten themselves together. A few go rounds like that and they won’t be back.

Choose a day and time and commit to it, just as you would any other “can’t miss this!” appointment.

Most people go live once a week. Less often and people tend to forget you, which means you’ll have to attract a brand-new audience over and over, instead of building a program with regular viewers, plus occasional new faces that stumble upon you, like what they hear, and come back for more.

#2: What’s The Ideal Length For A Facebook Live?

I suggest a minimum of 15 minutes, though 30 is better. Thirty minutes gives your audience time to join you before you deliver the heart of your message. That allows them to participate in the conversation. (You know that Facebook Live is a two-way conversation between your viewers and you, right? That’s why people love it so.)

Thirty minutes also gives Facebook’s algorithm time to notify those chosen few viewers mentioned above. Plus, it allows you to dig into a single point without rushing. Cramming 30 minutes of content into 15 minutes is no fun for you or your audience.

Facebook loves organic video (video recorded live on Facebook). They give it “artificial reach,” meaning that they notify a small, random percentage of your followers each time you go live, so those followers can join you quickly. It’s only a small percentage, and you have no control over who’s notified. Still, it’s a nice perk. And it’s only available if your program lasts long enough for it to kick in.

#3: I Don’t Have A Facebook Page Yet, So Can I Go Live On My Profile?

It seems like a no-brainer to present your Facebook live program on your Facebook profile. After all, that’s where all your friends are. But I caution against it, for two reasons.

One, while your family and friends support you, it’s highly unlikely that they’re in your God-given target market. So you won’t attract the audience that needs your book, and vice-versa.

Two, sooner or later you’ll want to invite viewers to purchase your book, pay for your online speaking event, or something else. But that’s not allowed on profiles, according to Facebook’s Terms of Service.

You’re better off to start where you can grow long-term, which, on Facebook, is your page.

Everyone I’ve known who’s gone “live” has been surprised how much they enjoy it. Yes, there’s tech to learn, but once you’ve learned it, it becomes automatic. Yes, there’s content to create, but haven’t you been longing for a group who’s hungry for your message?

The most delightful surprise? The people on the other side of the camera. They’re the ones you’ve been trying so hard to reach, and there they are, eager to improve their lives…and you can tell them how. There’s nothing like that feeling, is there?

And it’s free for everyone! Unbelievable!

Patricia Durgin is an Online Marketing Coach and Facebook Live Expert. She trains Christian writers and speakers exclusively, helping them develop their messaging, marketing funnels, conversational emails, and Facebook Live programs. Patricia hosted 505 (60-minute) Facebook Live programs from 2018-2020. That program is on indefinite hiatus. She’s also a regular faculty member at Christian writers and speakers conferences around the country.

Website: https://marketersonamission.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarketersOnAMission

Tips to Look and Sound Professional on Video

Like it or not, most of us are spending time in front of a webcam. With the sudden onset of virtual everything due to the pandemic, many writers have been thrust into using video technology with little or no training.

Whether you are using video to attend meetings, teach a virtual workshop, or produce webinars for profit, you should do all you can to look and sound your best. These tips will help. The good news is that you can accomplish most of these tips without purchasing expensive technology.

Optimize your background and lighting

The number one way to improve your on-camera professionalism is to make yourself look good. Which means avoiding these common mistakes:

The wrong camera angle. A low camera angle isn’t flattering. Everyone looks better when the camera is at eye level or slightly above. You can use a tripod to accomplish this, but a stack of books or a cardboard box will also do the trick.
Windows in the background. The glare from sunlight behind you is annoying for viewers and it also means your face is in shadow.
Using a busy background. Avoid backgrounds that are messy or distracting. If it’s practical, you can set up a corner of the house to be your private filming studio, with an on-brand set. For the rest of us, a blank section of wall is best.
Lighting that is too bright, too dim, or uneven. Ideally you want to avoid direct sunlight, and provide warm lighting from several angles to avoid harsh shadows while illuminating your face well. You may have to experiment with portable lamps to get the right lighting. Or invest in a ring light.

A simple trick: You can figure out how to improve all of these considerations by turning your phone on selfie mode. Experiment with different locations and lighting to find out what looks best.

Other things to consider

Don’t use a virtual background unless you’ve practiced with it and know how to keep yourself looking good while using it. If you move a lot, a virtual background is probably not the way to go.
Remember to frame yourself properly. Keeping your head and shoulders visible and centered in the frame is best.
Be aware of doors. Allowing a door to be visible in the background opens up the possibility of someone accidentally interrupting your video. It’s better to keep doors off camera so you can see intruders and stop them before they become visible to viewers.

Optimize your audio

Know the limitations of your mic. If you are using the microphone on your device, stay close enough for it to pick up your voice. If you move too far away, your voice will become faint or garbled to listeners. The microphone that comes with earbuds is often an improvement over using your device mic.
If you plan to teach on video, or regularly do something like Facebook live, invest in a microphone. Two options are a clip-on lavalier mic or a tripod-mounted mic that sits on the floor or desk in front of you.
Pay attention to background noise. If at all possible, avoid recording when someone is mowing the lawn, or when a noisy appliance like the washer is running. Also be aware of fans. Too much moving air near the mic can create odd noises for listeners.
Avoid unwanted beeps. Turn off all notifications on your device. Silence your phone. Check the room for anything else that could make an unwanted noise.

Improve your delivery

In a live situation, a presenter makes eye contact with the audience. In a video, a presenter makes virtual eye contact by looking directly at the camera. This can feel awkward, because your eyes want to look at the slide, or at other viewers pictured on your screen. Pro tip: put a sticky note near the webcam to remind yourself where to look.
In a similar vein, video presenters should avoid looking down to read. It’s much better to look sideways, so find a way to position your notes at eye level and to the side of your camera rather than on a table in front of you.
Plan your outfit. Solid colors work best on camera. Also consider the evergreen quality. If this video will be viewed year-round, select an outfit that could be suitable for any season rather than a sleeveless shirt or bulky sweater.
Practice, practice, practice. Get used to the software controls and how to switch from one view to another, so you aren’t stumbling when the video goes live.
Open your presentation to the first slide before you begin the video session. That way you can click right into the presentation without delay.
Don’t forget to adjust the camera so you center yourself in the frame.

Don’t neglect technical details.

Consider bandwidth. To avoid frozen screens, garbled audio, and other problems, make sure you have sufficient internet bandwidth. Every device in the house is competing for bandwidth, so turn off everything you can. This is not the ideal time for someone else to be streaming a movie or playing online games.
Also be aware that WiFi signal varies throughout the house. Choose a location where you have a strong signal.
Close all extra tabs to keep background programs to a minimum.
Clear the cache. A full cache can bog down your speed, so it’s a good practice to restart your device before recording. (Just leave yourself sufficient time in case your computer decides to do a backup without warning you.)
Do at least one solo recording session, including any visuals you plan to use, to make sure everything looks and sounds good.
Make sure your battery is fully charged before the session begins.
Join the meeting a few minutes early to make sure everything is working.

Finally: Do you have a backup plan? Imagine you are in the middle of a live workshop and your internet goes out. What will you do? If you plan to do live video, make sure you have a hotspot as a backup in case the internet fails you.

I hope these tips help you look and sound awesome in your next video session.

Lisa E. Betz worked as an engineer, substitute teacher, and play director before becoming an award-winning mystery writer. She brings her analytical mind, quirky humor, and positive outlook to all she writes. She draws inspiration from thirty-five years of leading Bible studies to create entertaining mysteries set in the world of the early church, and then she fills that world with eccentric characters, independent females, and an occasional sausage-snatching cat. Her first novel, Death and a Crocodile, releases February 9.

In addition to writing novels, Lisa blogs about living with authenticity and purpose. Visit her at www.lisaebetz.com. Facebook LisaEBetzWriter Twitter @LisaEBetz and Pinterest Lisa E Betz Intentional Living.