Recently, I walked you through all of the ways I am conducting virtual live streams — so many that it was one of the longest posts I’ve ever written. Today, I want to take a closer look at how I schedule and conduct a Facebook Live interview session using BeLive (not an affiliate link).
There are two primary ways I conduct a Facebook Live session: 1. Webinar-style and 2. Split-screen interview. I don’t do the solo, talking head with my phone Facebook Live. I always use third-party software. Today we’ll focus only on the interviews conducted over Facebook Live.
If you want even more detail regarding how I do this, the equipment I use, in addition to my usage of Ecamm Live, GoToWebinar, GoToMeeting, WebinarJam, and Zoom, join me at my upcoming training!
Setting Up BeLive
BeLive is a web app (you don’t have to download or install anything) that is insanely easy to use. I use it for all of my interview-style Facebook Live sessions. Let’s walk through exactly what I do with it.
While on your BeLive profile page, click the button to create a new broadcast.
![BeLive Create Broadcast](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-create-broadcast-700x151.png)
The first thing I’ll do is set the destination (Facebook page or group, typically).
![BeLive Set Destination](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-set-destination.png)
You can choose from Facebook, YouTube, an offline recording, or Twitch. I’ll select Facebook.
![BeLive Set Destination](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-set-destination-2.png)
I typically conduct my interviews for my Facebook page audience, but I’ve also streamed these to Facebook groups as well. After selecting my Facebook page, I enter in a brief description that will be attached to the post.
![BeLive Set Destination](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-set-destination-3.png)
Next, I will schedule the post.
![BeLive Set Destination](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-set-destination-4.png)
While scheduling, I can also add a custom thumbnail image.
![BeLive Set Destination](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-set-destination-5.png)
Then click Save.
Since this will be an interview, I click the “Add Guest” button, copy the URL and send it to my guest. He’ll use that at the time of our interview.
![Belive Add Guest](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-add-guest.png)
There are various things you can do to change the appearance of your Facebook Live. Click the Appearance icon.
![BeLive Appearance](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-appearance.png)
I use the Classic theme. At the logo tab, I’ve added my business logo that is placed in the top right corner of my Facebook Live streams.
![BeLive Appearance](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-appearance-2.png)
I edit the colors to be consistent with my brand.
![BeLive Appearance](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-appearance-3.png)
You’re able to add an overlay or background, but I don’t mess with those.
Using BeLive
Now, we’re about ready to start our Facebook Live. What you will stream is shown as a preview in the middle of the screen. At the bottom is a staging area.
![BeLive Staging](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-staging-5-700x270.png)
You can choose between four different display formats. I go with the first side-by-side.
![BeLive Staging](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-staging-2.png)
If you click the gear icon, you can adjust your video settings, camera resolution, audio settings, and headphones.
![](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-staging-3.png)
You can edit, display, or hide the person’s name on the screen.
![BeLive Staging](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-staging-4-700x275.png)
When you’re ready to go live, click the Start button at the top left.
![BeLive Start](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-start.png)
I like to start a few minutes early to get warmed up and welcome people who are there. I also add a crawler that lets people know we haven’t started yet, but that we will start soon. You can do that by clicking the “A” on the left and adding a crawler.
![BeLive Crawler](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-crawler-1.png)
Click on the eyeball to make it visible.
![BeLive Crawler](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-crawler-2-700x124.png)
Other Features
BeLive offers other features that I haven’t used yet. You can access these on the left side as well.
While I don’t use BeLive for hosting webinars, the ability to share your screen is there…
![BeLive Share Screen](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-share-screen.png)
You can also add media, either by uploading from your computer or importing from Facebook…
![BeLive Add Media](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-add-media.png)
Live shopping is also an option, though you’ll need to contact support to get that feature.
![BeLive Shopping](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-shopping.png)
Widgets are new and currently allow you to add an overlay for thermometer or “Days in quarantine.” I imagine they’ll expand on this.
![BeLive Widgets](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-widgets.png)
And, finally, you can add an agenda to create some structure for your Facebook Live.
![BeLive Agenda](https://www.jonloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/belive-agenda.png)
Your Turn
I’ve used BeLive since 2017, and I find it very easy to use. Have any questions?
Let me know in the comments below!