10 Facebook Live/Webinar Faux Pas

— June 13, 2017

kelseyannvere / Pixabay


1. Annoying Notification Sounds


It would make a much better viewing and listening experience for the viewers if the host would turn off the notification sounds by simply un-checking the “Play a Sound” option in settings. Especially the more popular Facebook Live Q&A feeds tend to get a never-ending barrage of notifications every time someone makes a comment. It is a pretty easy fix but somehow almost always overlooked. – Jacob Tanur, Click Play Films



2. Bad Quality Video and Background Noise


High sound and video quality are important even in a casual Facebook Live or Webinar. If it’s difficult to see or hear the speakers, then people will tune out. Get a tripod for your phone or a good mic for your computer recordings. Minimize background noise if possible, for the best results. – Adelyn Zhou, TOPBOTS



3. Pre-Show Setup Live Feeds


One of my pet peeves are Facebook Live videos or webinars that are started five or ten minutes prematurely. Guests are still finding their seat, the technology is still being worked out, the view and sound are being tuned and so on. When I click over to a stream like this and I can tell they are still setting up or rambling before actually getting started, I’m not inclined to sit and wait. – Robby Berthume, Bull & Beard



4. Sales Pitches


We’ve all seen it time and time again. The webinar or Facebook Live host delivers solid content and follows it with a hard sell of whatever product or service that they wanted to sell you from the start. I recommend you stop using webinars and Facebook Live to sell anything. Let your content speak for itself. If anything, you will lose your audience by selling too hard or distracting from the content. – Kristopher Jones, LSEO.com



5. Viewer Comments


It’s okay if comments can be seen by the person making the live video, but it’s very confusing and frustrating on the viewer’s end to see other comments, especially if they’re rude, out of discussion and just eating the space that can be given to the live feed itself. – Daisy Jing, Banish



6. Ad Libbing


Professionals who use Facebook Live for promotional and educational purposes have to stop playing it by ear. Take a few minutes to plan out what you’re going to say so that your videos can be as concise and engaging as possible. For Q&As, answer only logical questions that will make you look like an expert! – Duran Inci, Optimum7



7. Talking Around the Issue


People watch webinars and Q&As to learn something – not to watch the host balk and talk around issues only to end it all with, “It’s all in my product and you can buy it here.” That’s not demonstrating your expertise at all! Give people a taste of what you can offer, and they’ll be more likely to buy from you. – Thomas Smale, FE International



8. Lack of Preparedness


Start streaming when you’re ready. Check your video feed and test sound levels before going live. Take a moment to see what your viewers can see in the background. Be ready with your content. It’s okay if you need to prepare a document or a bullet list and print it out in advance. Be ready to deliver value to your audience. – Erik Bullen, MageMail



9. Long Introductions


My biggest pet peeve with regard to Facebook Live/Q&A webinars is how long it takes for people to delve into the meat of the presentation. I know why I’m watching — I signed up (and maybe paid), didn’t I?! So, just jump right in and don’t waste my time with five-ten minutes of introductions and filler nonsense. I’d rather watch something that’s 10 minutes and helpful than 30 minutes and drawn out. – Bryce Welker, Crush Empire



10. Awkward Silences


Live streams are like radio or TV. There is nothing worse than dead air. Long pauses signify lack of preparation or nervousness, which are both great ways to lose an audience. Your audience needs to feel like you value their time, so keep talking, say hello to new joins, thank them for tuning in, etc. If you have completely lost your train of thought, take a question from the audience, it gives you a moment to regroup. – Matthew Capala, Search Decoder

Digital & Social Articles on Business 2 Community

Author: Young Entrepreneur Council


View full profile ›

(67)