O.C. Writers

by Bonnie Taylor

I have to admit when someone suggested that I should do a live Facebook video, I thought they were crazy. Live video. What does that mean? To me that meant, makeup, hair, someone yelling “action”, and someone else yelling “cut”. I had no idea what I was doing. But I also knew this: in order to attract the audience that I wanted for my business, I needed to do it in a new and a different way. I needed to step outside of the box that told me I couldn’t, and just do it.

Live Facebook video was a new adventure. Going live on Facebook meant accepting. Accepting interruptions as the dogs bark to go outside or my husband appearing like a photobomb behind me wondering what I was doing and realizing he was live with me.

Real and Raw

Live Facebook video is real and raw, it’s everyday life. Your brand is you. There’s a saying, people don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. Live Facebook video is about that. It’s letting people know you are the real person behind the name and the face behind the brand. Your life is not perfect. You have the same goofy struggles as everyone else. It’s pushing through the crazy things that happen live. It’s creating connection with your audience.

The Struggle

I spent half the day preparing for my first video. I figured out where to put my notes, so I could speak to the “camera” without looking like I was reading. I picked out the best color for me, so I wouldn’t look washed out. To be honest that first Facebook video I probably deleted and never posted a dozen times because I felt it just wasn’t good enough. We all struggle with those doubts. Am I good enough? Will I be accepted?

Opportunity

Live video is an opportunity for people to get to know you. Show your office, give a glimpse of your life. Give people a peek of what you are working on. Make it impromptu, get over the planning and just hop on live. You open your Facebook page, type a quick description, just one line and then turn on the live feature. Use the video to show where you are and tell your audience what’s happening in that moment.

Show small pieces of you. “I’m off to do one of my favorite things today” videos. Remember live Facebook is branding you. I like to hang out with friends. When I’m off to do that, I’ll post a quick video. It sounds goofy but people like that and you will get interaction. Ask a question. Post in the description a question to your audience. Example, I’m in Newport Beach. Where do you like to have lunch in Newport?

Encourage community and promote local businesses. Let people know your specific location, promote the location. Ask your audience to come and see you. Now with that said, don’t get discouraged if no one shows up. That’s not the point. The point is people are seeing that you are real, and you are out there. The point is you are being you and that’s your brand.

Time to get real. Join us for Facebook Live at https://www.facebook.com/groups/OCWriters/ on Monday, April 23 at 10:50 am.