Instagram Live Life

October, 2019

Ring them bells ye heathens so the people will know.

Going Live on Instagram is an authentic way to connect with your customers. It’s behind-the-scenes and it leaves viewers with feelings of insight and connection. It also alleviates FOMO (fear of missing out) for those of us so inclined. If you’re a business looking to build, grow, and engage your audience, give it a go and then try it five more times.

New York Magazine teamed up with LiveStream to gather survey data around how people use video. 87% of folks surveyed would prefer to watch online video if it was behind-the-scenes-content. 82% prefer live video from a brand over posts. And 80% would rather watch livestream video than read a brand’s blog.

And the sun is going down on the sacred cow.

What Instagram Live shouldn’t be is unscripted. You want a plan for your video because people don’t want rambling and meandering videos. Keep this part casual: Jot down notes about what you want the livestream video to be about.

Not sure where or how to go about it? We’ve got some examples for you…

At a job site
Set the scene: Introductions, location, weather, crew.
Invite questions: Ask viewers to leave comments or questions.
Main subject: Problem you solved, new tool, progress.
Invite questions: Again. People like to feel invited.
Closing: What’s next, what to expect, goody-byes.

New product
Set the scene: Intro, Current products, gap new product fills.
Invite questions: Ask viewers to leave comments ot questions.
Main subject: Show the new product, features, benefits.
Invite questions: Again. People like to feel invited.
Closing: When released, how to buy, good-bye.

At an Event
Set the scene: Conference, event, fundraiser, ceremony. Welcome people to join you.
Introduce silence: If it’s something to focus on, otherwise narrate the event.
Closing: Tell folks what your experience is at the event, when you’ll be back, and say good-bye.

Q&A
What better way to Go Live than by answering people’s questions. If you’re nervous that no one will join, ask friends and co-workers to pop in at the beginning to help set the stage and be sure to write down what you’ll talk about to fill in the space between questions.

And the mountains are filled with lost sheep.

You’ll want to announce your plans to Go Live with a Q&A session ahead of time so people can be ready. And when you start the livestream, add a ? sticker on your IG Live, as this will allow people to ask questions.

Sprout Social has lots of great how-to tips to help get you started with your Instagram Live video. Read them over, practice, and then Go Live on Instagram with confidence. You may be worried about how you’re going to look or what you’re going to say, but remember, you’re the expert in your business. You know what you’re doing and people are watching because they want to hear from you. #nojudgement.

Special love to Mr. Bob Dylan for the song stuck in my head as I wrote this blog.