What You Need to Know About Facebook Live’s Split Screen Broadcast
Facebook Live recently launched a Two-Person Split Screen Broadcast which is now available to iOS users. Learn how you can leverage this new feature to increase engagement with your audience.
Since its release in mid-2016, Facebook Live has created dozens of internet celebrities and has boosted engagement for businesses, entrepreneurs, professionals and even for personal use. And this year, Facebook is pushing their mobile live streaming capabilities even further by offering a Two-Person Split Screen function for Facebook Live.
What’s so exciting about Facebook Live Split Screen?
Most of you may be wondering what the hype is all about. We’ve seen this same functionality from third-party apps, such as Belive.tv, so we understand if you don’t think that the idea is novel or something to get very excited about.
Even on its initial launch in April 2016, Facebook Live had to prove itself from the mobile live streaming apps that had already come out before it, such as Periscope and Meerkat. But the social media giant dominated yet again and it will do the same with this new feature and pretty much whatever new features it comes up with for one reason – their massive audience.
Facebook reports that it has an estimated 1.94 billion monthly active users as of the first quarter of 2017. Having a tool that allows you to tap into even just a small percentage of that audience base is going to do wonders for your business, if you do it correctly.
Facebook Live can be used easily from within the Facebook platform. You won’t have to worry about integrating third-party applications or the possible malfunctions that could come up because of it. And this, I believe, is one of the biggest benefits that Facebook Live has to offer.
Here are some of the things you need to know about the new Facebook Two-Person Split Screen Broadcast to help you in leveraging this new feature for yourself or your business:
It’s Not Available to Everyone – yet
As you may have probably expected, the Facebook Two-Person Split Screen Broadcast is not available to everyone just yet. The feature is only currently available to iOS users – yes, that means you iPhone and iPad users! Android users will have to wait this one out, I’m afraid. But Facebook always catches up pretty quickly, so it may be available sooner than you think.
Who can you include in your broadcast?
You cannot invite just anyone to take part of your Facebook Live broadcast. This means that the person you want to interview or feature must already be watching your Live Stream so you can include them in your Split-Screen video.
One clever way to use it is through an interactive Q&A, wherein you can invite people who are asking questions “spontaneously” into your Live Stream so you can have an actual discussion. This is sure to excite your audience.
How does Facebook Live Split Screen work?
Once you are live, simply swipe left on your screen and it will show you the list of people who are viewing your video. Once you have found the person you want to add, tap the icon near their name and tap on the “Invite to Go Live” option. Once the person accepts, then you’ll have them sharing your screen for the audience to view.
If you’re done speaking to your guest, you can select your guest’s window and tap the X button to remove them.
Yes, it’s that easy!
What else can we expect from Facebook Live?
Facebook seems to be hiding a lot of things under its sleeve and there have been many speculations and rumors about the new features that they will be launching soon. One of which is a new streaming app that is very much like Netflix. Facebook TV, as the internet world has dubbed it, will be released around June 2017.
I will be closely watching these updates and sharing all the juicy details with you right here on my blog and on social media, so make sure to stay tuned!
