There are 2 ways you can go live on Facebook – through your mobile phone or via our Live Producer API. Below, we break down both options as you consider which is the right one for you.
- Going Live on Your Mobile PhoneAs you cover a news story on the field, you may decide you want to go live right from your mobile phone as the story is unfolding in real time. Perhaps you are covering a hearing and a decision is about to be made. Or a protest is taking place and you want to share the events immediately with your followers.Use a phone to go live on Facebook if you:
- Are on the go.
- Don’t have access to extra equipment like a computer, a camera, a microphone, etc.
- Don’t need to add on-screen graphics or switch between cameras.
Mundo Hispanico’s Mario Guevera went live from his mobile phone as he reported on Black Lives Matter protests in Atlanta, Georgia.Facebook gives you the option to go live on your mobile phone by using the Facebook app for iOS or Android.From the Facebook app:- Navigate to the Page, group, profile or event where you want to publish your live stream.
- Tap the Live button at the bottom of the post composer.
- Add a description to your video. You can also tag other participants (example: an expert that may join the conversation), check in to a location, and add a feeling or activity.
- Tap 'Start Live Video'.
- Tap 'Finish' when you want to end your broadcast.
The quality of your live video will depend on your internet connection speed. Go live when you have a strong connection (use Wi-Fi instead of your phone's cellular data whenever possible). For a more stable video stream, you can use a tripod or camera stabilizer.Learn more about how to go live on your mobile phone on the Facebook Business Help Center. - Going Live via Live ProducerFacebook also gives you the option of going live from a laptop or desktop computer and via the API. If you do, you’ll automatically be directed to Live Producer, which lets you go live on Facebook using higher-end production equipment, a separate camera and streaming software. Live Producer allows you to uplevel your production by streaming higher quality video on the platform.Use a separate camera and streaming software to go live if you:
- Want to maximize video and audio quality.
- Wish to include graphics or other advanced features (extra software may be required).
- Have access to extra equipment like a computer, a camera, a microphone, etc.
This is a good option if you’re considering broadcasting a political debate or airing a special with experts around a timely topic. In the scenario below, the news publisher took advantage of Live Producer to add special graphics to its reporting:
WFLA News Channel 8 used Live Producer to highlight poll results and social commentary about a timely news topic.Live Producer can be accessed from any entry point to Live from a Page and at facebook.com/live/producer. Read more about Live Producer on the Facebook Business Help Center.
Learn more about how newsrooms can use Facebook Live:
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