According to our COVID-19 Impact Survey, New York State’s museums social media use has increased by 81% since the pandemic. Museums are creating new virtual experiences to share their educational resources, exhibitions, collections, and behind the scenes content. Going live is a great way to engage your audience. It doesn’t require video editing skills and is quick to produce. Using Facebook to host your live stream is an easy way to increase your online engagement on a platform where you already have an audience. 

Here are some helpful tips and best practices for going live.

Equipment

1. Camera

Going live on Facebook doesn’t require a professional camera or any kind of editing software (remember this is live). You can use your phone or computer. Your phone camera is best if you plan on walking through an exhibit. If you plan to use your phone make sure that you use your “Do Not Disturb” setting. This will block any calls, texts, or other alerts that could interrupt your live broadcast. 

2. Tripod

Use a tripod if possible to avoid shaky video. If you use your computer, you can place it on a table, chair, or any flat, steady object you may find in a museum... like a pedestal!. Test your camera angle and adjust accordingly before you go live to ensure that everything you want in frame is visible on camera. 

If you plan to use your phone, there are relatively inexpensive tripods—like this one—you can use to help stabilize your video. If you plan on moving through a collection or exhibition, this DJI Osmo Mobile Gimbal for an iPhone will give you the best stabilization. It is more expensive, but worth the investment depending on the content you want to produce. 

3. Audio

If it's just one person going live using their phone, using the headphones that came with your iPhone with its built in microphone will work just fine. These lapel microphones also work great to capture audio, especially if the room has an echo. You can also go without, but make sure that your speaker never turns their back to the camera and can project their voice.

4. Lighting

Lighting is everything and natural light is best. However for behind-the-scenes tours into collections storage, or exhibitions where natural light is the enemy of the art work on the walls, you will want to test the lighting before you go live. Often the overhead lights will suffice, but also think about bringing in and using a floor lamp. The location of your  lightg source will dictate where you set up your camera so always test beforehand.

Set-Up

Write the title and description of your livestream before you go live. You can have this pre-written d on a word doc or use the notes section on your phone so you can copy and paste right to Facebook. To increase engagement, use relevant hashtags, tag your location, and create a call to action such as where to find more information, how to join, or where to donate. 

NYS Museum creates Facebook events in advance telling their audience when they will be live.

Create an event on your Facebook page letting your followers know when you plan on going live. Once your live stream starts, Facebook will notify your followers. To give your followers time to join, you’ll want to aim for a video that will be around fifteen minutes in length, and wait a couple of minutes before starting. Creating a Facebook Event will reach more of your audience in advance. 

Remember to practice

Preparing and practicing before going live will help with any on-camera nerves. It is important to test your camera, audio, and your internet connection. Try recording your live stream before going live. You can then play it back and watch to see how it will look on camera to your audience and make any needed adjustments. 

Going Live

It is helpful to have a second person who can monitor comments during the livestream. It is best to allow time at the end of your video for a brief Q & A. This person can also monitor if there are any comments about audio or visual issues so you can respond and adjust. Having someone else monitor the comments on the livestream will allow the speaker to focus on the content and not get distracted. 

Remember that not all content will work when going live. Focus on unique, easily visible items from your collection or share stories that are normally not shared on a tour. Give your audience experiences that might not be possible on a traditional in person visit such as a behind the scenes tour to  show collections storage or how an object is undergoing conservation. dBoth.  Lastly, reach out and ask your audience what they want to see. This feedback can help determine what type of content that your online audience will engage with and help determine future social media posts. 

Get Inspired

Here are just a few NYS museums who are going live! 

NYS Museum

Erie Canal Museum

Fulton County Museum

Rochester Museum and Science Center

The Wild Center

New-York Historical Society

Click here to see our Facebook Live session at the Hart Cluett Museum