How to Go Live on a Facebook Event

Going live directly within a Facebook Event is one of the most effective ways to capture an engaged, dedicated audience for your virtual workshop, product launch, or Q&A session. This article walks you through exactly how to set up, launch, and manage a live video broadcast from inside a Facebook Event page on both desktop and mobile.

Why Go Live in a Facebook Event Instead of a Regular Post?

You can go live on your Facebook Page feed anytime, so why bother with an event? The answer lies in audience focus and engagement. When you go live within an event, you create a private, dedicated space for attendees. The experience feels more exclusive and organized, which dramatically increases viewer commitment and interaction.

• Increased Urgency and Attendance: An event has a set date and time, creating a sense of occasion. Guests who RSVP receive notifications and reminders, significantly boosting the chances that they’ll actually show up when you go live.
• A Centralized Hub: The live video, comments, and any related materials all live on the event page. This keeps everything tidy and makes it easy for guests to find the replay and continue the conversation long after the broadcast ends.
• Targeted Communication: You can communicate directly with your RSVPs through the event page, posting updates, polls, and teaser content that only they will see. This helps build anticipation and community before you even hit the live button.
• Enhanced Exclusivity: For a paid workshop or a private community gathering, a Private Facebook Event provides a secure space where only invited members can view the live stream.

The Pre-Live Checklist: Setting Your Event Up for Success

A successful live broadcast starts long before you go on camera. Proper setup and promotion are what separate a ghost town from a thriving, interactive event. Follow these steps to lay the groundwork.

Step 1: Create Your Facebook Event

First, you need the event itself. This will be the home base for your live stream.

To create one:

1. Navigate to your Facebook Page or Group.
2. Find and click the "Events" tab. This is usually in the navigation menu near the top or on the left-hand side.
3. Click "Create Event."
4. Choose whether the event is Online or In Person. For a live stream, select "Online."
5. Under the format, select "Facebook Live." This tells Facebook your plan and integrates the live functionality directly into the event.
6. Fill out the essential details meticulously:
   • Event Name: Make it clear, compelling, and descriptive. Instead of "Live Session," try "Live Q&A: Mastering Short-Form Video in 2024."
   • Date and Time: Double-check your time zones! Add a start and an end time to set expectations.
   • Description: This is your sales pitch. What will attendees learn? What value will they get? Use bullet points to make it scannable. Mention that the session will be broadcast live right on this event page.
   • Category: Pick the most relevant category to help Facebook show it to interested users.
   • Add a Cover Photo/Video: Create a visually appealing graphic (1920x1080 pixels is ideal) that includes the event title, date, and your branding.
7. Once you're happy with the details, click "Create Event."

Step 2: Promote Your Event Like a Pro

Don't just create the event and hope people find it. You need to actively promote it.

• Share the Event Link Everywhere: Post the event link on your Facebook Page timeline, in relevant Facebook Groups, in your Instagram bio, in your email newsletter, and on other social channels.
• Create Hype with Teaser Content: In the days leading up to the event, post directly to the event page's discussion feed. Ask questions, run polls about what topics to cover, or share behind-the-scenes photos of your prep. This reminds RSVPs about the event and gets them invested.
• Schedule Reminder Posts: Don't let people forget. Schedule posts to go out 24 hours before, one hour before, and again right when you're about to go live. These announcements build momentum and serve as a final call to action.

Step 3: Prepare Your Tech and Content

Technical glitches can derail even the best content. Perform a full tech check at least 30 minutes before your start time.

• Check Your Internet Connection: A stable, wired connection is always better than Wi-Fi. Run a speed test to be sure.
• Test Your Camera and Microphone: Whether you're using a laptop webcam or an external setup, make sure they are selected as the input source and working properly. Audio quality is arguably more important than video, so using an external USB microphone is highly recommended.
• Set Up Your Lighting: Position yourself facing a light source, like a window or a ring light. Avoid having a bright light behind you, as it will turn you into a silhouette.
• Outline Your Talking Points: Don’t try to wing it. Have a clear, bulleted outline of what you want to cover. This isn't a rigid script but a guide to keep you on track and confident.

How to Go Live Inside Your Facebook Event: A Step-by-Step Guide

When it’s time to start the broadcast, the process is straightforward. Here’s how to do it from both a desktop computer and the mobile app.

Going Live from a Desktop (Recommended for Stability)

Using a desktop gives you more control and access to advanced features through Facebook's Live Producer.

1. Navigate to the Facebook Event you created.
2. In the discussion feed where you'd normally create a post, find the option to "Set Up Live Video" or a button with a video camera icon labeled "Live Video." Click it.
3. This will open the Facebook Live Producer dashboard. It might look intimidating, but it's simple to navigate.
4. On the left panel, select your source. For most people, this will be "Webcam." Grant your browser permission to access your camera and microphone.
5. Under "Post Details," add a compelling title and description for your live stream. This is what people see in their notifications, so make it engaging. For example: "We're LIVE! Ask Your Social Media Questions Now."
6. Crucially, check the dropdown menu for where to post. It should automatically be set to your event, but it's always a good idea to confirm.
7. Before you broadcast to everyone, you can create a test broadcast by changing the visibility at the bottom left from "Public" to "Only Me." This lets you double-check everything looks and sounds right without anyone else seeing.
8. When you are confident and ready, click the blue "Go Live" button at the bottom left corner. You’ll see a countdown, and then you’ll be live!

Going Live from the Facebook Mobile App

Going live from your phone is perfect for more casual, on-the-go streams.

1. Open the Facebook app and navigate to your Event page.
2. Inside the event, find the post composer (the box that says "Write something..."). Tap on it.
3. From the menu of post options that appears at the bottom, select "Live Video."
4. The camera view will open. You can add a description at the top of the screen and use the icons to add filters, text, or switch between your front and back cameras.
5. When you are ready, tap the blue "Start Live Video" button. After a brief countdown, your broadcast will begin.

During and After the Live: Best Practices for Engagement

Going live is just the beginning. The real value comes from interaction and post-event follow-up.

During the Broadcast:

• Engage with the Audience: Welcome people by name as they join. Acknowledge and answer questions from the comment section in real-time. If you have a second person to act as a moderator, this can be extremely helpful.
• Use Interactive Features: Use Facebook's built-in poll feature to ask questions and gather instant feedback from your audience.
• Repeat Your Key Message: People will join at different times, so periodically reintroduce yourself and the topic. Have a clear call to action (e.g., "visit our website," "sign up for our newsletter") that you mention a few times.

After the Broadcast:

• The Replay is Gold: Your live video is automatically saved and published to the event's discussion feed. This is now a valuable piece of content that people can watch later. Pin it to the top so it's the first thing new visitors see.
• Continue the Conversation: Go back through the comments and answer any questions you missed. Thank people for tuning in.
• Repurpose Your Content: Don’t let your great content sit on Facebook. Download the video. Edit it down into shorter clips for Instagram Reels or TikTok. Transcribe the audio to create a blog post summarizing the key takeaways. This allows a single live event to fuel your content strategy for weeks.

Final Thoughts

Going live within a Facebook Event elevates a simple broadcast into a focused, community-driven experience. By following this guide, you can confidently set up and host an engaging live stream that attracts an audience, keeps them hooked, and continues to provide value long after you click "End Broadcast."

Keeping track of all the promotional posts and reminder content needed for a successful live event can be a large task on its own. That's why we designed our visual calendar at Postbase to give you a clear, single view of your entire event promotion schedule. You can plan your teaser content, reminder posts, and follow-up assets weeks in advance, then drag and drop to make adjustments, ensuring you build maximum anticipation without the chaos.