Reasons Why You Should Be Going Live On Social Media

[OliviaJ]

Hello

Since I'm new to the forum I thought I would share some free advice on going Live on social media for independent businesses

#1 It is cost free

Shooting a live video on Instagram costs you and your business nothing!

It’s not like Instagram Ads which you pay for and you don’t require a creative for which you would need to hire or already have a graphics designer and copywriter, and you don’t need to buy any high-tech video equipment such as a microphone, a camera, and studio lights.

In face, all you need is your phone.

So with Instagram Live you can reach your followers and your target audience at no cost.


#2 Video content is on the rise

Video content has been growing in popularity.

It has been so popular that Facebook Founder, Mark Zuckerberg believes that social media will be all video in the future!

And it’s understandable why as people flock to video content.

So if you’re not producing video content your behind.


#3 You can engage with your customers in real time

Much like Facebook Live, Instagram Live allows followers to post comments during the live recording, giving you an opportunity to connect, engage and strengthen relationships with your customers.

By doing this you will also improve your customer’s’ loyalty.

So what do you think, would you like to try going 'live'? Let me know if something is holding you back, I'd love to help out with some more tips

 

[DanBullBranding]

Good points, everything is visual these days... good photography & videos can really raise your brand.

 

[Annoying Donkey]

#1 It is cost free

No it's not. It costs time and time is the one thing that you cannot replace.

 

[fisicx]

#2 Video content is on the rise

And most of it is dross.

#3 You can engage with your customers in real time

You don't need social media to do this.

My butcher engages with his customers in real time by talking to them while handling his sausages. I suspect he may get in trouble if he tried to make a video.

 

[StevePoster]

If the thread opener doesn't need social media as you stated, so what kind of medium that can be use for independent businesses? For live engagement?

 

[DanBullBranding]

Social Media...

A lot of people will say that it is a waste of time and does not pay for itself but it all depends on your business and your target market.

So for us Social Media is going to be massively important:

We do merchandise, print & branding so it's important that we keep on top of our marketing activity... social media allows us to engage with our clients and prospects... it also allows people to see that we are active and passionate about what we do... if someone Googles us and then goes onto our Social Media pages they will be able to see what we do and therefore people can feel liek they are getting to know us and build a connection/relationship.

 

[fisicx]

if someone Googles us and then goes onto our Social Media pages...

Why do you want them to do this? Surely you want them to land on your website, be wowed by what you do and then place an order.

You people to come from SM sites to your website not the other way round.

 

[DanBullBranding]

Hi Fisicx,

I'm not saying that people will google us and go straight to our social media pages, ideally they will go straight to our website and our website is currently in development.

But if they do actively go on our social media pages they can see case studies, recent activities etc and this will hopefully set us apart from the competition slightly.

Dan

 

[fisicx]

But if they do actively go on our social media pages they can see case studies, recent activities etc and this will hopefully set us apart from the competition slightly.

But all this should be on your website and referred to from your SM pages. Not sure it will set you apart, everyone (apart from me) has a bunch of SM pages, there are now so many just about anything you post will get lost in all the general miasma.

However, it might work for you. Except I can't find your Facebook page.

 

[webgeek]

I hate to burst any bubbles about video... BUT... it isn't free.

You might be able to shoot a video using readily available gear and not have to purchase anything, pay a subscription fee or storage, etc.

However, time is what people are short on. Time is one of the most valuable assets I've got, albeit an unknown quantity is on hand - which makes it even more valuable.

Planning, scripting, setting up the props, editing, uploading, promoting - these things take a truckload of time, if you want to do video well.

If you don't mind mediocrity, then just wing-it. However, unless you're some poopie pie guy on youtube, it's not going to easily/quickly build a following or drive buyers to your site.

The race we're in is how make the minimum number of ZMOTs (zero moments of truth) necessary to impress the heck out of our prospect pool. The idea is to be seen as remarkable, memorable, expert, trustworthy.

You don't build that perception in the minds of your prospective buyers by throwing something together and posting up on social media.

Instead, take that time, learn SEO, learn about buyer journeys, make a remarkable website, capture your leads, nurture them through the journey and reap the rewards. Occasionally post on other sites, send some email prospecting, get others to talk you up - these things get results too.

If you want to gamble your time and money - just play craps, put your money on the pass line and let it ride each time you win until it's doubled 10 times. It's about the same odds as getting rich off social media video posting.

 

[The Byre]

I hate to burst any bubbles about video... BUT... it isn't free. You might be able to shoot a video using readily available gear and not have to purchase anything, pay a subscription fee or storage, etc. However, time is what people are short on. Time is one of the most valuable assets I've got, albeit an unknown quantity is on hand - which makes it even more valuable. Planning, scripting, setting up the props, editing, uploading, promoting - these things take a truckload of time, if you want to do video well.

If you don't mind mediocrity, then just wing-it.

Those words need to be tattooed on the inside eyelid of every wannabe video-maker, esp. those that think they are going to make their own corporate videos.

Nothing, but nothing, annoys me more, than badly made videos.

 

[fisicx]

Nothing, but nothing, annoys me more, than badly made videos.

Not even those who diss Miss Minaj?

 

[The Byre]

Well dey just get a punch in de throat, don't they?

Well, it's that or my fav. - a Weegie kiss!

 

[Ashley_Price]

The scariest thing is the number of people who now go "live" while driving!?!

They have their phone set up in their car, so they can film themselves and chat away while driving. Not only is that unsafe, because they cannot be concentrating fully on the road in front of them... but it is also distracting precisely because I am worrying about them driving.

Of course, if you say anything to them, they tell you they are perfectly safe, have had XX number of years driving... yada, yada, yada... but so have the people who get killed or injured crashing while talking on their mobile phone or texting.

 

[japancool]

I don't want people to watch what I do live in front of my computer.

Certainly not for free.

 

[minttwist]

I would suggest video, as a form of 'Digital Marketing Content' is more important than it has ever been and therefore definitely worth the investment (agreed it is not free!!!). Main reasons:
1. Video engagement is trending up faster than other content forms on most SM channels
2. Gen Z are engaging with video content at much higher rates vs other content forms (and Get Z trends turn into even bigger 'generic' trends over time)
3. Cost of technology to create and market video content has made it more accessible than ever.

Which trend is driving which? ... Not sure. How much should it cost? ... like most things it depends on the ROI available and your strategy. My key advice would be : Invest in creative people with ideas that can reach your audience, engage them and motivate them to take action.

 

[Pat Walsh]

My take on it is that video content is good for some purposes and some businesses - for example, if you were selling products, accommodation, an experience or a personality - but doesn't fit for all businesses.

I don't really want to see accountants or insurers making videos to promote on their social media accounts, however interesting their week has been :0)

 

[fisicx]

I would suggest video, as a form of 'Digital Marketing Content' is more important than it has ever been.

No it's not.

If your water tank is leaking or you need a man to fix your broken fence or sort out your broken car you don't want to watch a video. Ally you need it their phone number.

If you want to buy a box of chocolates you don't need a video.

If you are ordering your groceries online your don't need a video.

If you are browsing images to find a door handle you don't need a video