These instructions are specific to Facebook Live Streams but some of the info is interchangeable.
Here is the Facebook Invite that we will update weekly:
https://www.facebook.com/events/245721083140780/
This graphic can be downloaded to promote on your social media channels:
Please set up your camera HORIZONTALLY.
NO Covers PLEASE – we’ve heard Facebook is cracking down on these and starting to take down videos with covers.
You will be added as an Editor of the page on the day of your live stream.
You can find your invite here: https://www.facebook.com/pages/?category=invites
The best video and sound are coming from phones – NOT LAPTOPS. So set up your phone to live stream from – and then set up your computer next to you so you can see who is commenting and joining the stream and interact with them. People love that and it makes them comment more. Don’t just play your songs without acknowledging and interacting with your audience.
Make sure you are well-lit and close to the camera. the farther away you are the more you sound like you are in a cave and it’s hard to understand what you saying in between songs.
Do a FULL SOUNDCHECK before you go live. You can do this from your own page – just choose “YOU” as the only person who can see it. Do 2 or 3 songs – then go back and WATCH it – Don’t just test to see if it works. You’ll be able to adjust where you’re sitting, the framing, how it sounds, etc. I know you’re used to having a sound person do this – but you are the sound person. If someone who is not already a fan drops in to check you out – you have one chance to be impressive. it is very easy to just keep scrolling.
The live streams with the BEST viewership have not been the ones done on the pages with the most fans. They have been from the ones who had the most personal shares. Ask your friends/fans BEFOREHAND if they will share the stream. You can also share in many Music Groups on Facebook like:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/622864291902580/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/streamshows/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/218841235873327/
There are MANY MORE – do some research and figure out which ones are the best for YOU. Go to previous live stream videos on the Sweetheart PR FB Page and check out where those have been shared.
Post the introduction in the caption – then after you start live streaming – go to your laptop and post your Spotify Profile / Store / Venmo / Paypal links in the comments – (Have this ready so that you can just paste it in) then PIN that comment to the top – then it will be the first thing everyone sees when they drop in.
HINT: Write these captions on a sticky note on the desktop of your PC – then after you got live from your phone – go to your computer and paste them in.
CAPTION:
Welcome to The Nuncheon Sessions! For the next 45 minutes, we’ll be bringing you live music from >>>>”enter/TAG YOUR name”!<<<<
Check the comments for how to purchase merch and tip the musicians!
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS::
Instead of adding your email for Paypal – you can set up a link if you don’t want everyone to have your email address: https://www.paypal.me/
After you start the stream – go to your computer and share it on your fan page and personal pages. Get everything set up correctly before you start the performance. You’ll have time – it takes people a few minutes to populate the stream. Take a breath and make sure everything is set up correctly – don’t feel the need to jump right into the first song.
Introduce yourself throughout the performance – don’t be afraid to ask for tips/music purchases/likes on social media profiles and Spotify. It’s also good for the algorithm to have a lot of comments – so ask your viewers easy questions like:
“Where are you watching from?”
“What do you guys miss the most being on lock down – other than live music?”
“What is really getting on your nerves about quarantine?”
FLIP your screen if you have signs in your shot:
Check streaming from wifi versus streaming from your phone – if just streaming from your phone is a better connection – turn your wifi off.
Turn on the Do Not Disturb Feature on your phone – this will block calls or texts from coming in during your stream.
Have fun!