How to Stream Video with Facebook Live

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Make sure you have a strong connection.

   In order to ensure your viewers have the best experience possible, connect to a high speed Wi-Fi network before broadcasting.
   
   This will ensure smooth recording and a consistent viewing experience for the viewers.
   
   If you can't connect to a Wi-Fi network, you'll need to be on a 4G mobile network.
   
   The app will not let you start broadcasting if your signal is too weak or your connection is too slow.
2. 2

   Step 2: Open the Facebook app.

   In order to stream video live to Facebook from your mobile device, you'll need to use the Facebook app.
   
   You cannot stream from the Facebook mobile website. , box.
   
   This will start a standard Facebook post. , This button looks like a silhouette of a person with radio waves emanating from it.
   
   This will open the Facebook Live interface.
   
   This feature is rolling out in waves, and your device may not have the Live broadcast feature enabled yet.
   
   Keep checking back to see if it becomes available.
   
   Facebook Live is not available in all countries. , The description should be short and catchy.
   
   This is especially important if you're trying to grab people's attention as they scroll through their News Feed. , By default, your friends will be able to see your broadcast on their News Feeds.
   
   You can change the audience so that it can be viewed publicly, giving you the chance to go viral, or record a private broadcast for select friends.You can set the audience to "Only Me" if you want to test out streaming without broadcasting to everyone. , After a quick countdown, you'll be live on Facebook! You can broadcast for up to 90 minutes at a time. , You'll engage your audience a lot more if you incorporate their feedback and mention them by name in the broadcast.
   
   Do this often to help build and retain your audience.You can block troublemakers by tapping on their name in the comments and selecting "Block."
   
   This will notify them when you start broadcasting next time, increasing your viewership numbers. , This will end your broadcast and post the replay to your timeline.
   
   Try to leave these up so the viewers can go back and view old videos, but you can delete them if you'd like. , It's always a good idea to build a little hype before going live.
   
   Put a post up an hour or two before your broadcast, letting your followers know when you'll be going on air.
   
   Advance warning helps ensure that you get as many viewers watching as possible.If you start setting schedules for videos, make sure you stick to them! Late videos will drive the audience away. , If you have a professional, verified Page on Facebook, you can set it up to broadcast Live video using recording hardware and software.
   
   This enables you to use multiple cameras and perform other advanced streaming techniques.
   
   To get your Page verified, click the "Settings" button while logged in on your page and select "General." Click "Verify this page" and follow the prompts.
   
   You'll have to prove that your business or organization is real before you can become verified. , This will open a new menu. , The right frame will show your previous live streams, which will likely be empty at the moment. , This will begin the setup process for your live stream. , Some programs will just require the "Server or Stream URL," while other programs will need the "Server URL" and "Stream Key" as separate lines.
   
   Refer to your encoder's documentation if you aren't sure.
   
   The URL and key are valid for up to 24 hours following their creation. , This process will vary depending on the encoder you are using, but start the stream so that your equipment starts broadcasting to the server information you entered. , It may take up to 10 seconds for the stream to appear in the Preview on Facebook.
   
   If the stream isn't appearing, check to make sure that you copied the fields properly. , Add a description at the top of the screen, as well as tags and a video title in the "Basic" tab.
   
   This will help people find your video. , Once your stream is configured, you can begin broadcasting to Facebook.
   
   Click "Go Live" and your stream will switch to a live broadcast. , The "Live Viewers" shows how many people are currently watching, while the "Total Views" includes the total number of unique people that have watched at least part of the broadcast. , You'll need to click "End" again to confirm.Live streams are limited to 90 minutes.
3. 3

   Step 3: Tap the "What's on your mind?"

4. 4

   Step 4: Tap the Live button at the bottom of the field.

5. 5

   Step 5: Enter a description for your video.

6. 6

   Step 6: Set who can view your broadcast.

7. 7

   Step 7: Tap "Go Live" to start broadcasting.

8. 8

   Step 8: Interact with your viewers and respond to comments.

9. 9

   Step 9: Urge your viewers to tap the "Follow" or "Subscribe" button.

10. 10

    Step 10: Tap "Finish" when you're done broadcasting.

11. 11

    Step 11: Give a heads-up before you start future broadcasts.

12. 12

    Step 12: Get your Page verified on Facebook.

13. 13

    Step 13: Click the "Publish Tools" option in your Page's toolbar.

14. 14

    Step 14: Select "Live Videos" from the "Videos" menu on the left.

15. 15

    Step 15: Click the "Create" button.

16. 16

    Step 16: Copy the information you need for your encoding software.

17. 17

    Step 17: Start the stream from your encoder.

18. 18

    Step 18: Click "Preview" to view the stream from your encoder.

19. 19

    Step 19: Add information for your Live post.

20. 20

    Step 20: Click "Go Live" to start broadcasting to Facebook.

21. 21

    Step 21: Check your statistics.

22. 22

    Step 22: Press "Finish Live Video" when you're done broadcasting.

Detailed Guide

About the Author