How To Create A Facebook Live Event in 3 Easy Steps

In our 2023 Event Trends Report, we made a surprising discovery… 

Nearly 50% of attendees want to join live events, even when they’re unable to attend in person. 

What does this mean? It’s time to leverage Facebook Live events. 

Now, we know what you’re thinking: That sounds complicated, and you don’t have the time to learn the ropes — don’t worry, we’ve got you. 

Eventbrite is the trusted partner of event organizers worldwide. We handle the essential (tedious) tasks so you can focus on what matters most: creating life-changing experiences. 

In this article, we’ll guide you through how to set up a Facebook Live event, share our expert tips, and provide real-world examples to help simplify the process. 

Step-by-step guide: How to create a live stream event on Facebook 

Facebook Live lets you broadcast video content in real time to your followers and directly to an event page or group — all from your mobile app, tablet, or computer. 

Streaming helps you grow your attendee list and reach your audience across the world.  

Here’s how to set up a Facebook Live event on your laptop or computer. 

Step 1: Create the event 

• Create a page for your event, or log into the Facebook account where to stream your event (either your business or personal profile) 

• Head to your homepage and click on ‘live video’

• Select the ‘create live video event’ option 

• Upload a cover photo or choose an illustration for your event 

• Select whether you want to use autofill to complete your event details manually or use autofill

• Add the event name, start date, and time 

• Turn the event privacy setting to private, public, or friends

• Complete the description section of your event with the essential information 

• Click the computer or mobile icon to see how your event will appear on different devices

• If applicable, enable paid access and enter an ‘e-ticket’ price 

• Press ‘next,’ and then use the ‘event settings’ dropdown list to get to ‘event options’

• Add any co-hosts for the live event, and select if you want to show the guest list

• Go back to the main dropdown menu, and click ‘stream settings’

• Choose to end the live stream automatically based on the event end time you entered or end it manually by sliding the ‘allow the encoder to end stream’ from the ‘yes’ or ‘no’ option 

• Select which stream latency you want to have on the day 

• Decide to remove your Facebook Live event from public view once you’ve finished streaming

• Visit the viewer settings tab and highlight whether viewers can rewind the live stream and enable auto-generated captions 

• Click ‘event preview’ to see how your finalized event will appear 

• Once it’s ready, click ‘create event’ 

2. Set up Live video 

Now that you’ve created your event, it’s time to move on to setting up your Facebook Live.

• When your event has loaded, a pop-up box will appear. Click ‘set up live video’.

• Select the video source for your live stream from ‘webcam’ or ‘streaming software.’ If you’re streaming from your phone or a digital camera connected to your computer, select ’webcam.’ But if you’re using external software, like OBS Studio or Streamlabs, choose ‘streaming software.’ 

• If you choose ‘webcam,’ you’ll need to select the camera and microphone source you’ll use or if you want to start a screen share.  

• If you use streaming software, copy and paste your stream key into the provided box and preview the broadcast to test the video and streaming quality.  

• Once you’ve updated your live streaming settings, click ‘save changes’ to go back to news feeds. 

3. Promote your Facebook Live event 

After these first steps, you’ll have successfully created and scheduled your Facebook Live event — congrats! 

Now, onto the fun part: promotion and distribution. There are two main options when promoting your Facebook live event: 

• Boosting your online event to reach new audiences 

• Marketing to your existing followers 

We’ll share how to do both. 

• First, share the Facebook Live Event on your timeline to notify your existing followers of your upcoming live stream.

• To do this, head back into your event via Facebook’s homepage, and select ‘events’ in the left menu. 

• Facebook will give you the option to ‘start discussion’ about your event. Click on this tab and craft a compelling post to convince your audience to sign up for your livestream event. 

• Next, ‘boost your event’ to target audiences outside your existing friends and following list with a Facebook event ad.  

• To do this, head to ‘event page’, and click ‘Boost’ at the top of the page. 

• Complete the specific targeting details of your target audience, including their age range, geography, and interests. 

• Add the duration for your promotional campaign, starting with a minimum of one day. 

• Specify your allocated budget spend for the ad and mode of payment, and then click ‘Boost Event.’

• To promote your Facebook Live event on other platforms, click on the three-dot icon on your event page and select the first option that shows a link guests can use to join your event. 

• Create an Instagram, TikTok, or YouTube Live post, and paste the link in the description. 

Now that you’ve created and distributed your Facebook event, your main focus is to create a robust event strategy for your social media platforms that turns viewers into loyal, repeat attendees. 

Consider that targeting the right audience is key to maximizing your ad spend. The most effective way to get more precise with your targeting is to utilize an event management tool like Eventbrite. 

Eventbrite leverages intelligence, audience targeting, and accurate data reporting to optimize your promotions so you can find and connect with your kind of event-goers. 

We offer features, such as A/B testing, that allow you to run separate ads on your chosen social media platform to help determine the most effective approach. We also use our Facebook and Instagram integration to give you up-to-date analytics about how your promotional campaign is landing with different types of attendees.  

Which Facebook live event features should event organizers use?

In 2024, virtual and hybrid events are gaining significant popularity among attendees, with the global virtual event market size projected to increase by 18.8% in the next six years. 

For an innovative event organizer like yourself, now is the perfect time to establish yourself as a trailblazer in the hybrid event scene. 

Facebook Live helps you stand out from the crowd by utilizing add-on features for real-time interaction with your attendees. Whether you showcase your behind-the-scenes setup, an exclusive highlight reel, or a chance to provide commentary — you can offer new attendees a front-row seat to experience what makes your event brand special. 

Live polls 

Facebook Live’s polls allow attendees to respond to multi-choice answers in real time while watching your live stream. You can easily set up a live poll by heading into ‘Live Producer’, creating a poll, and entering a question with multiple answers. 

To increase engagement with your Live poll: 

• Keep questions concise and clear 
• Schedule the live poll at a time when your audience is most active

For example, a networking event organizer, like The Professional Network, could use a Live poll to gauge their attendee’s feelings toward specific industry trends in the business world.   

Live in stories 

With Facebook Live, you don’t have to stick to one method of streaming; you can also explore Facebook Reels.

To do so, check the ‘share to story’ box when you add post details in your Live event settings. 

This feature can help to extend the life and excitement of your virtual event, especially if you’re hosting a free event. Plus, it can enhance visibility and last-minute registrations, particularly on mobile devices. 

How to get the most out of Live stories: 

• Use Live stories to showcase pre-event hype, such as behind-the-scene prep and ‘bonus’ interviews 
• Host an additional ‘Q&A’ session after your live stream directly through Live stories to add more perceived value to your event 

For example, a virtual dating event organizer, like Couple.com could use Facebook’s Live stories to share success stories and host their after-party specials. 

Featured links 

One of the most useful Facebook Live events features for event organizers is ‘featured links.’ With this tool, you can display important links related to your event to provide attendees with instant access to the product, resources, or content you recommend. 

This is a great way to naturally insert affiliate marketing links or product placements from sponsors or insert a call to action into your email list. 

Event organizers can include the following links: 

• Donation links (if applicable to your event) 
• Email sign-up list 
• Website URL 

For example, a nonprofit, like City & State PA, could insert a donation link for attendees and direct them to a secure platform to collect charitable contributions throughout the event. They could then display a live counter with the number of donations made in real time to encourage attendees to contribute. 

Live comment moderation

When you start a Facebook Live event, your audience can comment in real time. 

These comments will appear in the left-hand column of the video and pop up on attendees’ screens as they’re posted. Attendees can then reply to these comments or leave an emoji ‘reaction.’ 

For event organizers with larger crowds, managing hundreds of comments at once can be challenging. Thankfully, comment moderation filters comments with various settings, such as ‘restricted’ and ‘discussion.’ 

To maximize the impact of live comments: 

• Filter comments so any inappropriate language is flagged and hidden
• Responding to comments in your Live video 
• Mention and welcome commenters by their name and thank them for attending 

For example, CIIS Public Programs regularly hosts educational live-stream events and uses Live comments to engage with attendees during the event. 

Invite a guest to your broadcast 

Whether you’re hosting a one-on-one Q&A or conducting a live interview, Facebook Live makes it easy to invite another person into your broadcast.

By selecting and inviting someone to share your event with, you’ll give them full administrative access to the back end of the live stream. 

Inviting guests onto your livestream when you’re already live is just as easy. Simply send an invitation to the person you want to add, and as long as they’re already watching, they’ll receive a request to accept. 

You can then allow invited guests to: 

• Respond to comments and answer questions submitted by viewers 
• Adjust microphone and camera settings 

For example, NASA hosts a range of online outreach events that feature special guests, such as astronauts or scientists from different parts of the US. With the ‘invite a guest’ feature, NASA can conduct interviews, discussions, and presentations with leading professionals from around the globe. 

Broadcast from Messenger rooms 

For more intimate events or VIP exclusive add-on specials, you can turn a Messenger room into an intimate Facebook Live event with up to 50 people.

This is especially helpful for events that prioritize privacy and exclusivity. For example, an educational workshop creator, like Mangates, who hosts higher-priced events, may find it easy to provide hands-on assistance with a smaller number of event guests through Messenger Rooms. 

Use Messenger Room broadcasts to: 

• Create a personalized experience 
• Host an intimate event with a smaller attendee list 

It’s important to note that you can only live stream from Messenger Rooms if you use Google Chrome and are the creator of the Rooms. 

Create clips from a previously live video 

The value of your livestream doesn’t end when the camera turns off. Once your live stream is over, create clips from your video to use in social media posts or other marketing materials.

In the ‘Live Producer’ settings, enable the option to ‘record’ your live stream. This feature automatically generates a video of the whole event that you can later edit into shorter clips to reuse.

Use the recording of your Live event to create: 

• Instagram highlight reels 
• Video teasers for upcoming events on TikTok 
• A podcast episode or long-form YouTube video 

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A post shared by Danny Morel (@dannymorel)

For example, motivational speaker and event organizer Danny Morel uses captivating screenshots from his virtual events to showcase attendees’ unique experiences at his shows. The photos feature smiling faces and enthusiastic participation, providing social proof of his event’s success. 

The best tips and tricks for Facebook live events 

A virtual live-stream event is an incredible opportunity to engage and connect with your audience — but only when it’s done right. If your technology is glitchy, slow, or unresponsive, you run the risk of losing your audience’s attention. 

Here are Facebook’s top tips to host and get the most out of a Facebook Live event. 

Make an announcement 

Facebook Live events require at least 24 hours notice to help generate interest and boost visibility. To build anticipation, let your audience know about your broadcast weeks in advance with paid Facebook advertising. 

Use an event marketing platform like Eventbrite to attract new attendees who are actively looking for virtual events like yours. For example, Mountain Stage uses tags such as ‘things to do in Charleston’ and ‘concert’ to sell tickets to their upcoming live stream event. 

With Eventbrite, you can also enhance your marketing strategy by creating event ads that increase visibility and engagement, helping maximize your marketing campaign’s impact. 

Check your signal

To ensure your live stream works correctly, we strongly recommend conducting a test run with at least 10 participants from different locations and devices a week before your live stream event. This dummy run will help you identify any issues with signal, streaming quality, or connectivity issues. 

Facebook also advises hosts to have a ‘backup’ with a separate ISP or internet connection to quickly switch to a private connection if there’s an issue. 

Engage with commenters

After wrapping up your Facebook Live event, don’t forget to go back through and respond to commenters. 

Not only does directly replying to attendees help form meaningful connections, but you can also repurpose questions and turn them into promotional content.

Keep in mind that longer is better

If your broadcast is too short, you won’t give people enough time to tune in. Facebook recommends being Live for at least 10 minutes, and Facebook recommends hosting videos that are longer than three minutes to keep viewers watching. 

A recent experiment found that Facebook Live reached 92% more people than regular video posts.

Therefore, to maximize your reach and take advantage of the increased traffic, think of your Facebook Live event similarly to an in-person experience; would attendees commit to an event that was only five minutes long? 

Probably not. So, instead of taking the fast route, create an in-depth and fully immersive experience that could compete with any of your past live events.

Invest in high-quality streaming software 

Investing in a pan-tilt-zoom camera is a great way to heighten your picture quality. If you’re hosting a music event, it’s a good idea to hire a sound engineer to ensure your audience has the best possible listening experience.

For a professional touch, consider using a pocket-size camera that works seamlessly with Facebook Live, such as Mevo Start. The Mevo Start has features that pack a punch, such as white balance presets, custom exposure settings, and high dynamic range (HDR). 

Better yet, if you have the budget to hire a video crew, you can transform your live stream into a multiscreen event with Livestream’s Studio software. It enables you to use multiple cameras to broadcast on Facebook Live, turning your event into a production that can rival the Oscars. 

Create a Facebook Live event the easy way 

No matter what kind of event you plan, live streaming is a great way to engage and delight attendees. 

It’s a powerful tool to bring the future into 2024, connect with your audience, and enhance their virtual event experience. So, don’t settle for a traditional approach. 

Use your Facebook Live event as a tool for innovation and interaction, and then utilize Eventbrite to market your event to the right audience. 

With Eventbrite, you can effectively target and attract audiences based on their location, interests, and event preferences to reach more attendees — no matter where they’re based.