Live video is an essential component of your digital marketing strategy, Video is proven to be a vital tool for sales and marketing. Small businesses who leverage them experience better engagement from their audience, increased lead generation, and greater revenue.
Live video is driving amazing results, too. Apps like Facebook Live, Periscope and Instagram Live are uniquely capturing attention in news feeds and prompting users to engage. There's something special followers feel when interacting with a brand in real-time. It's more genuine and authentic, bringing a human element to your business.
Small businesses that strategically include live video in their digital marketing strategy have a huge advantage in their industry. Although big brands have fully embraced live video, many small businesses are still sluggish in adding this tool to their inbound marketing strategy. Yet, live video has a big ability to increase your reach, visibility, and influence.
If you're ready to add live video to your digital marketing strategy, here are four ideas to help you make the best of going live…from the start.
Host A 5-Day Live Video Challenge Series
People enjoy a challenge series because it provides new content to look forward to daily while offering ways to achieve a specific goal. It's an excellent strategy to build momentum, connect with your audience and increase engagement.
Think of a problem you could help your target audience overcome in 5-7 days. Create a step-by-step outline where you'll give one action tip every day using live video. Don't forget to include relevant hashtags (Instagram Stories and Periscope) or keywords (Facebook Live, YouTube Live) to help increase visibility of your live video content in search.
Share Your Wins And Losses
Live video brings a level of authenticity to your content that fosters trust. When you're transparent, followers are more apt to believe in your message and mission. There's power in storytelling that allows people to connect with your business, making you real and relateable.
Couple storytelling with live video and you have a highly persuasive tool in your digital marketing belt. A great way to be transparent in your live video content is by sharing your wins and losses. Highlighting victories as well as failures in your business shows commitment and strength in how you overcame challenges. You'll be amazed at how your story can truly inspire other and keep people connected to your brand.
Host Live Q&A Sessions
Live Q&A sessions are perfect for staying in tune with your market and their needs. These engaging sessions give you a chance to interact and hear directly from your customers. As a result, you'll have invaluable data for fresh content ideas, new product initiatives, and ways to improve your current inbound strategy.
Promote a date and time to host a live Q&A session with followers. Encourage participation by welcoming each attendee by name and asking everyone to post their questions in the comments. Be interactive. Users will enjoy the engagement while getting answers in real-time.
Broadcast A Webinar On Facebook!
Share your screen and convert your Facebook Live video into a webinar with a third-party application like BeLive or Zoom. Followers will attend your webinar via your Facebook Business Page or Group. It's a great way to bolster thought-leadership and deliver quality-rich content to your audience. It may also increase your Page's Likes.
It's also a good idea to re-purpose your live video webinar. Download it from Facebook and upload it to YouTube and your website. Promote it in an email. Do what you can to get people to view your live video after it's already gone live.
Conclusion
Going live on a social media network will positively increase your brand awareness, followers, and engagement. Facebook Live, Periscope, and/or Instagram Stories are key tools every small business should leverage in their digital marketing to create better results. And don't forget other live video platforms like Snapchat.
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Contact us if we can be of some assistance to you in developing your 2018 digital marketing strategy.
