Facebook has added the ability to schedule live videos, something popular broadcasters have wanted in order to gather an audience before going live. The feature is being launched this week for Verified Pages, but will go live for everybody soon after, according to Facebook.
“When you schedule a live video, an announcement post will be published to News Feed letting your fans on Facebook know that the broadcast is coming,” noted Peter Roybal, a Facebook Product Manager, and Brian Lin, a Facebook Software Engineer in a blog announcement. “People who see the post can opt in to receive a one-time reminder notification that will alert them shortly before your broadcast begins. Your fans can then join a pre-broadcast lobby directly before the live video starts, where they can connect and interact with other viewers.”
Verified Page users can login via their Publishing Tools section to schedule a live video. They will be able to schedule a live video up to a week in advance, so that viewers can wait in their lobby a few minutes prior to broadcast. Fans will even be able to communicate with other fans in the lobby.
At the conclusion of the video scheduling process, you will be able to easily share a promotional link or embed the announcement on a web page. The idea is that scheduling live videos gives you time to build excitement with your followers and gather a crowd right at the start. Facebook says that your Facebook fans can opt-in to receive a one-time reminder notification alerting them right before your live video starts.
Facebook also will be making their scheduling tools available to third party developers to integrate within their apps.
Facebook provided this How To Guide:
If you’re a Page Admin using the Facebook Live API, it takes only a few steps to schedule a Live broadcast.
1. Navigate to Publishing Tools
Once you’re in Publishing Tools, select “Video Library” and then “Live.”
2. Copy your stream credentials (e.g. steam key, Server URL)
If you need to find the credentials closer to the time you’re going live, they are also available by editing the post in Video Library.
3. Craft your announcement post
Be sure to write an engaging and informative description so your followers know what to expect from your broadcast. You will be able to update the description later if you want to.
4. Finalize your scheduled live broadcast
Put any finishing touches on your post (such as adding a custom image) before you schedule your broadcast.
For a more in-depth look at scheduling a live video—including tips on how to switch to“manual mode” and change your scheduled broadcast—check out this detailed walkthrough.
