5 Successful Ways to Using Live-Video in Your Social Media Marketing

Did you know that people spend 3 times longer watching live video compared to one that’s previously recorded? Live-streaming platforms like Periscope, Facebook Live, and Instagram Stories are providing unique, yet successful opportunities for marketers to engage with their social followers. Adding live-streaming video to your marketing mix significantly helps to build brand awareness, expand influence, and leverage as another tactic to grow your email list. If you’re looking for ways to boost engagement with your social media audience, using live-video is the answer.

The goal is to share five useful ways to including live-streaming video in your social media marketing. Discover which technique would resonate best with your audience and plan to implement it in your strategy.

5 Ways to Use Live-Streaming Video in Social Media Marketing

#1 Take your audience behind-the-scenes

Consider ideas on how you can take your viewers backstage in how you do business.  Give them a close-upfront look by allowing access behind the scenes in meetings, live events, even the Christmas party!  This creates more authentic and transparent experiences, humanizing your brand and allowing fans to see the real you.  It’s an excellent strategy to improve engagement and grow buzz around your name.

#2 Show product demonstrations

Live product demos are highly effective in that it gives viewers a chance to ask questions on the spot.  You can reveal the features, benefits, details on how it works, how-to’s, etc. Your viewers can see your product in action prior to buying.

In fact, videos have a tremendous impact on the purchasing decision, with 64% of consumers more likely to buy a product online after watching a video. Use live-video to your advantage by showing your products…live and in living color!

#3 Answer questions live!

This strategy is packed with power.  First, live-broadcasts strictly for Q&A generates massive engagement…it gets your market talking to you, expressing their questions and concerns.  Secondly, it keeps you abreast as to what your market needs, creating opportunities for your business to offer solutions in the future.  Finally, new questions gives you content to use in upcoming blog entries, videos, and social media posts.  Imagine if you were asked 10 questions that you never thought of?  It’s a great method to improve your content marketing while sharing valuable content that your market desires.

#4 Share the story behind your brand

The strength of video marketing is being able to captivate your audience in a unique way through storytelling; sharing more of the “who” and “why” behind your company’s name.  Live-streaming video is effective in this same manner.  Use these platforms to tell your viewers the mission and vision of your company, who you serve, the reason why you’re in business, and the your goals.  Allow them to see the zeal, excitement and passion you have for your service.  It will create deeper connections and loyal fans.

#5 Grow your email subscriber list with exclusive offers

Periscope, Facebook Live, and Instagram Stories has an amazing way of combining social media and lead generation because you can ask viewers for email addresses during your broadcast to grow your list!  Building your email list is indeed the lifeline of your business and this strategy allows you to continue to build each time you scope.

You can offer incentives like a percentage off on services, a drawing giveaway of a gift card, a free consultation session…anything of value in exchange for their contact info.  Give the call to action by asking them to leave their email in the comments. (With Instagram Stories, viewers will have to send a Direct Message).

Don’t forget to remind them to check their email to opt in!

Conclusion

The key to your social media marketing strategy is to share valuable information that is beneficial to your audience.  You want to offer solutions to problems so you’re seen as the go-to brand.  Live-video uniquely allows you to achieve your marketing goals while building true relationships with your audience.  Its benefits are too great to be ignored.

We’d like to hear from you.  Comment below on which strategy you chose (or ones not listed) and how it’s impacted your business.

For more ways on how to leverage social media to boost follower engagement and increase conversions, contact us here for a scheduled consultation!