Instagram Live, yet another feature by Instagram that allows brands to interact and engage with their audience, in real-time. With the ongoing lockdown and mandatory social distancing rules in place, Instagram live has been a saviour for celebrities, brands and influencers alike. Why is live so important, you ask? Statistics show that 80% of the audience would rather watch a live video from a brand than read a blog and 82% prefer live video from a brand to social posts. *
Unlike a video that you shoot, edit and upload to your feed, Instagram live has no retakes and there’s very little room for error. However, the biggest advantage is that live streams are always bumped up right in front of all the stories of your followers feeds and they get notified the very instant that you go live.
If it is your very first Instagram live we have a few dos and don’ts you should follow:
The dos:
- Have an agenda: It is important to know what content you plan to put out during the live prior to the actual stream. You could do a Q & A, have an influencer do the Instagram live with you, launch or demo a new product, showcase an event or even conduct a class. Plan the flow of events so you can have a smooth live stream.
- Check the sound & video quality: The worst thing that could happen when you go live is the video cutting off or being inaudible. This could deter the agenda and eventually force your audience to leave the stream. Hence, it is essential that you ensure your Wi-Fi quality is great and the lighting and sound are also up to the mark.
Interact with the audience: The best part of a live stream is that you get to interact with your audience, in real-time. So shout out to people who come tune in and answer questions that they ask during the live and you can even ask them to join your live to make it more interactive.
- Inform your audience beforehand: If you want a larger audience to be present during the live, it is important to let them know via stories and posts with the details prior to when it is meant to happen. If you have influencers who are going to be a part of it, make sure they inform their audience as well to ensure maximum reach.
The don’ts:
- Don’t overdo it – Sure, Instagram live works great for your brand but make sure to not overdo it. This could have an adverse effect on your audience who may not tune in to every live stream you decide to do.
- Don’t repeat content – As a thumb rule to anything you do online, try to always keep your content fresh, new and exciting. Something that is worth your audience’s time, rather than repeating what you may have already conveyed.
- Don’t do, say or show anything inappropriate – Since a live stream is live, it doesn’t give you a chance to edit anything you say, do or show. Hence, keeping in mind the audience you are speaking to, make sure you are aware of what you are saying and your surroundings.
- Don’t be unprepared – In a live stream, you have to constantly engage with the audience, talk and keep them entertained. You can’t be unprepared and not know what to say or do, this could lead to awkward silence and your audience may leave the stream.
Instagram live is an effective tool for brands, especially when used correctly. It brings you and your brand closer to the audience unlike ever before. Hope these tips and tricks help you with your first live stream, although it can seem daunting at first, just remember to relax, be confident in the content you have created and just go with the flow! If you need any further assistance with Instagram and its features you can write to us at info@thinktreemedia.in.
