{"id":18896,"date":"2018-04-12T18:27:52","date_gmt":"2018-04-12T23:27:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/?p=18896"},"modified":"2018-04-12T18:53:24","modified_gmt":"2018-04-12T23:53:24","slug":"live-social-video-ideas-small-businesses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hostgator.com\/blog\/live-social-video-ideas-small-businesses\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Live Social Video Ideas for Small Businesses"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Social Live Video Ideas from 5 Successful Brands
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Live social video is essential for marketing teams.<\/p>\n

With irrelevant messages consuming customers\u2019 attention, your team needs content that will stand out from the rest. And that’s where live social video becomes valuable to your small business.<\/p>\n

'Live streaming videos give you the chance to attract a much larger audience and generate more traffic and online visibility. Because of its immediate interaction, you can entice more viewers than you would from just a simple status update or post,'\u009d states Maggie Munley<\/a>, account manager at Corporate Communications.<\/p>\n

Dust off your favorite outfit. It\u2019s time for you to step in front of the camera.<\/p>\n

Here are five live social video ideas to get you started.<\/p>\n

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1. Interview Thought Leaders<\/h2>\n

Education is important in today\u2019s society. People are always seeking knowledge to advance their careers, help their businesses, or just find a product at a cheaper price.<\/p>\n

Knowledge is definitely power. If you\u2019re seeking to impress your audience on live social video, you\u2019ll want to start by interviewing thought leaders in your industry.<\/p>\n

Experts can offer unique insights on how to tackle small and big challenges affecting your consumers. By interviewing them, you also shine a light on your amazing brand.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll want to select thought leaders that your customers respect. So take the time to research the latest blogs, attend a few conferences, or listen to several podcasts. These spaces are prime areas to find well-qualified experts.<\/p>\n

But don\u2019t miss the opportunity to interview the thought leaders on your team. They work day in and day out in particular areas that may interest your audience.<\/p>\n

Below is an live social video example from Socedo<\/a>, a lead generation platform. While streaming on Periscope, the company interviewed their head of sales about direct messaging in the B2B social media marketing.<\/p>\n

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You\u2019ll also want to think about the topic and interview questions. Poll your audience before the chat and take live questions during the interview. That way, you\u2019re engaging with the customer and not talking at them.<\/p>\n

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2. Explore Behind the Scenes<\/h2>\n

Your team\u2019s tasks and responsibilities may seem routine (and even mundane). Everyone is doing their job to contribute to a greater cause-the customer\u2019s satisfaction.<\/p>\n

However, that\u2019s not the case for your social media followers. You do something extraordinary in their eyes. You make a product they adore!<\/p>\n

On any given day, your team is working behind the scenes, planning new product launches, arranging customer appreciation events, or speaking at a major conference.<\/p>\n

Those actions you call 'small'\u009d are a really big deal to your customers. People enjoy getting the inside scoop on what happens within your small business-and live video makes it possible.<\/p>\n

'Use streaming to create conversations, give customers important information, and highlight fans, partners, employees, and new technologies (and share the spotlight). Sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses is yet another way to thank your biggest fans and enable them to help share your brand story,'\u009d says Kathy Klotz-Guest<\/a>, founder of Keeping It Human.<\/p>\n

The New York Times<\/em><\/a> <\/i>is revered for its crossword puzzle. On Facebook Live<\/a>, the team solves the puzzle with its followers. Plus, they give hints and viewers can put their guesses in the comments section.<\/p>\n

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Let your creativity run wild to show off your behind-the-scenes moments. It\u2019s your opportunity to give your brand a personality.<\/p>\n

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3. Announce New Products<\/h2>\n

You\u2019re constantly seeking different ways to create brand awareness. You want to drive sales, too.<\/p>\n

Live social video can provide a helping hand. Streaming the announcement of your new products gets consumers excited. It\u2019s a chance to see your product in real-time for the very first time.<\/p>\n

And guess what? <\/i>They don\u2019t have to leave their home or office.<\/p>\n

Then, your product announcement becomes a full-fledged event. On live video, you can explain the product features, demonstrate how it works, and talk to customers.<\/p>\n

'Sharing the event with your audience can make them feel included and enthusiastically engage with your brand. If it’s not exactly viable to host an event on your own, you can still engage your audience by getting involved in a much bigger event and then sharing live videos of how you’re helping out,'\u009d writes Inc. contributor Shane Barker<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Time<\/i> magazine<\/a> highlights how to use Barker\u2019s advice. When Apple made a big product announcement, the media publisher streamed the live event on its own YouTube channel. Bringing attention to industry news also can score you a larger audience.<\/p>\n