Facebook Live is quickly becoming the hottest new live-streaming platform for both publishers and regular people. From Buzzfeed’s exploding watermelon to Dallas-based tattoo artist Liz Cook who streams ink sessions in real time and that snake expert who extracts venom from animals (note: omg), broadcasters — both professional and amateur — have flocked the platform.
SEE ALSO: 10 Facebook Live stars you need to follow now
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While Facebook Live users are still trying to figure out what resonates most with their viewers (and how to get those view numbers up), some best practices are emerging. There are also some essential tips and tricks — like how to find out when most of your followers are online.
Mashable spoke with Facebook about what tactics seem to be working. Before we dive into the advanced stuff, though, here’s a crash course on what you need to know before going live:
Getting started
Pick your poison: While Facebook Live is available on both iOS and Android, you’ll have the option to broadcast both vertically or horizontally when using an iPhone. Make the decision ahead of time so you can best show what you’re trying share to the world.
Change perspectives: For those who want to add more context and go between showing yourself and surroundings, you can always switch between your main camera and selfie view during a broadcast.
Take care of your comments: One of the best parts of Facebook Live is that questions and comments from viewers appear on screen, but you should know you cant to delete ones after the broadcast, and you can keep the conversation going responding afterward.
If you lose the connection, don't lose it: Pick a spot with strong connectivity and if you happen to lose Wi-Fi (or cellular service), don’t freak out. Facebook Live will pause and try to reconnect. If you’re still out of luck, the existing broadcast will be saved to your Page — and you can always delete it if you’re not satisfied with the result. The “Go Live” button will be grayed out until connectivity is good.
Best practices
Now that you’re ready, here’s what to keep in mind when going live:
Write a (good) description: Yes, this sounds pretty basic, but a good description will often mean the difference to someone deciding if it’s worth it to tune in. Use personality in the wording so it’s aligned with your brand or who you are, and keep them short. You can edit them after the fact, too — especially useful if the broadcast takes a different turn by the end. While viewing the video, select the “Options” section at the bottom and then “Edit this Video.”
Promote, promote, promote: A Facebook spokesperson said those who tease upcoming Facebook Live broadcasts tend to have higher viewership than those who don't.
Pick the right time! Are afternoons better than mornings? What about late at night? While there’s no magic answer for everyone, you’ll eventually find the sweet spot for your audience by experimenting with different times. A good place to start is your Facebook page's Insights section: You'll be able to see when most of your followers are online, which will more than likely correlate with when your broadcast's reach is highest.
Consider what you're doing, too, and when the content would be best digested: a bake-along show may work better in the evenings when people are home, while a Q&A interview could have more reach during the workday (i.e. people can listen to the discussion in the background on their computers). The longer you broadcast, the more likely your friends and followers are to discover your video live — aim to broadcast for more than 10 minutes. But! Don't overdo it or drag broadcasts out any longer than they need to be.
Plan better: Don’t go into a broadcast without a plan — know what you want to do in the video, whether it’s a few key talking points or to have a few questions ready ahead of time in a Q&A, in case the comments slow down.
Get personal: Beyond just reading comments and questions, say hi to viewers by naming them personally and encouraging them to stay engaged with follow-ups and suggestions. It'll make everyone feel more part of the experience.
Invest in some equipment: No one wants to watch a shaky live stream. Consider buying a tripod or other professional-level tools, especially if you’re taking viewers on a tour. You can also get creative by putting your phone against a stack of books or against a coffee mug. Be sure to check the shot before going live.
Get the lighting right: Pick a spot with good lighting or go outside, but don’t have the light directly behind you (it’ll wash you out).
Sound good: Too many broadcasters overlook sound. If you're in a loud space, you're going to need some kind of external microphone to make sure your viewers can actually hear anything.
Give context: When starting a broadcast, be sure to introduce yourself and what you’re doing — if you’re hosting a live fitness show, for example, let everybody know what today’s focus is and don't forget to mention it a few times throughout the broadcast for those joining late.
Be authentic: It may be obvious to some, but the more real you are, the more viewers will identify with you and care about what you’re doing.
Tie a bow on it: When ending a broadcast, pause for a few seconds until you hear the “ping” sound that signals you are no longer live. Don’t jump the gun and sign off too soon, or there could be awkwardness.
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LA JOLLA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DermTech, Inc. (NASDAQ: DMTK) (“DermTech”), a leader in precision dermatology enabled by a non-invasive skin genomics platform, announced today its support and presentation in the Melanoma Research Foundation’s (“MRF”) “Ask the Expert” webinar series throughout the month of January.
The events featured leading dermatologists and industry experts to increase awareness and education on melanoma. A key focus of the series was the importance of early detection of skin cancer and the delays in skin cancer screenings and diagnosis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The recorded webinars are accessible here.
The “Ask the Expert” webinars took place on the MRF Facebook page with the following speakers:
- Jan. 7, 2021: Dr. Neal Bhatia, Therapeutics Clinical Research.
- Jan. 14, 2021: Dr. Ann Mazor Reed, Rendon Center Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine and Skin Care Research.
- Jan. 21, 2021: Dr. Stephanie Diamond, Advanced Dermatology and Dr. Chris Adigun, Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill.
- Jan. 28, 2021: Dr. Julie Karen, Complete Skin MD and New York University Langone Medical Center.
“Education, early detection and prevention are some of the most powerful tools to fight melanoma,” said Burkhard Jansen, M.D., chief medical officer of DermTech. “We are proud to support the MRF and its ‘Ask the Expert’ sessions in raising awareness of this aggressive form of skin cancer.”
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“This informative series is a vital element to preventing melanoma in as many people as possible,” said Kyleigh LiPira, MBA, chief executive officer of the MRF. “Our work with DermTech complements our mission of providing the necessary insight and resources to vigilantly prevent and detect melanoma. We are excited to kick off 2021 with new sessions and conversations.”
For more information on the “Ask the Expert” Facebook Live webinars, including additional upcoming topics for discussion, please visit the MRF Facebook page here.
About DermTech
DermTech is the leading genomics company in dermatology and is creating a new category of medicine, precision dermatology, enabled by our non-invasive skin genomics platform. DermTech’s mission is to transform dermatology with our non-invasive skin genomics platform, to democratize access to high quality dermatology care, and to improve the lives of millions. DermTech provides genomic analysis of skin samples collected non-invasively using an adhesive patch rather than a scalpel. DermTech markets and develops products that facilitate the early detection of skin cancers, and is developing products that assess inflammatory diseases and customize drug treatments. For additional information on DermTech, please visit DermTech’s investor relations site at: www.DermTech.com.
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Forward-looking Statements
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This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The expectations, estimates, and projections of DermTech may differ from its actual results and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continue,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, expectations with respect to: the performance, patient benefits, cost-effectiveness, commercialization and adoption of DermTech’s products, including the Smart Sticker platform, and the market opportunity therefor. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results. Most of these factors are outside of the control of DermTech and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: (1) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against DermTech; (2) DermTech’s ability to obtain additional funding to develop and market its products; (3) the existence of favorable or unfavorable clinical guidelines for DermTech’s tests; (4) the reimbursement of DermTech’s tests by Medicare and private payors; (5) the ability of patients or healthcare providers to obtain coverage of or sufficient reimbursement for DermTech’s products; (6) DermTech’s ability to grow, manage growth and retain its key employees; (7) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (8) the market adoption and demand for DermTech’s products and services together with the possibility that DermTech may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; and (9) other risks and uncertainties included in (x) the “Risk Factors” section of the most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by DermTech with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and (y) other documents filed or to be filed by DermTech with the SEC. DermTech cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. You should not place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. DermTech does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.