How to Record on Facebook

Ready to start recording video on Facebook but not quite sure where to begin? It's one of the best ways to connect with your audience, show off your brand’s personality, and share valuable content firsthand. This guide breaks down every method for recording video content on the platform, from broadcasting live events to creating catchy Reels and sharing quick updates with Stories.

Going Live on Facebook: Your Direct Connection to Your Audience

Facebook Live is an unedited, real-time broadcast to your followers. It’s perfect for Q&,As, tutorials, event coverage, or just authentically checking in with your community. Viewers can comment and react as you stream, creating a powerful two-way conversation.

From Your Smartphone (The Easiest Way to Start)

Going live from your phone is simple and accessible. All you need is the Facebook app and a decent internet connection. This method is ideal for spontaneous moments, casual check-ins, or when you’re on the go.

• Open the Facebook App: Tap the "What's on your mind?" box at the top of your News Feed (for a personal profile) or tap the "Create post" button on your Page.
• Select "Live Video": You'll see several options for your post type. Tap "Live Video" to open the live stream interface.
• Set Up Your Stream: Before you go live, you have a few essential setup options.
  • Write a Description: Tap "Tap to add a description..." to tell people what your live video is about. A compelling description encourages people to tune in.
  • Add Effects (Optional): Along the bottom, you'll see options to add filters, stickers, or virtual backgrounds. Use these to add a bit of fun or branding to your broadcast.
  • Tag People or a Location: You can tag collaborators or add your location if it's relevant to the stream.
• Go Live: When you’re ready, tap the blue "Start Live Video" button. Facebook will give you a "3, 2, 1" countdown, and then you'll be live!
• Engage with Viewers: As people join, you’ll see their comments appear on the screen. Acknowledge them by name, answer their questions, and respond to their reactions to make the experience interactive.
• End the Broadcast: When you're finished, tap "Finish" in the bottom corner. You’ll then have the option to post the replay to your Page or profile so people who missed it can watch it later.

From Your Desktop (For More Control and Quality)

Streaming from a computer using Facebook’s Live Producer gives you a suite of advanced features. This setup is better for planned presentations, webinars, interviews, or any broadcast where you need higher production quality, like using multiple cameras or sharing your screen.

• Navigate to Live Producer: On your Facebook Page or profile, click the "Live Video" button located in the post creation box. This will take you to the Live Producer dashboard.
• Choose Your Video Source: You'll be asked how you want to create your live video. For a simple broadcast, you can choose "Webcam." For more complex setups, you can select "Streaming Software" to connect to tools like OBS, StreamYard, or Ecamm.
• Configure Your Settings: On the left-hand panel, you can add a title and description for your broadcast. This is also where you can configure interactive elements like polls or questions.
• Check Your Camera and Mic: Make sure your webcam and microphone are selected correctly in the "Setup" section. You can see a preview of your video feed in the main window.
• Start the Broadcast: Once everything looks good, click the "Go Live" button at the bottom left. Just like on mobile, you’ll be broadcasting in real-time.
• Pro tip: Live Producer allows you to share your screen, which is amazing for showing slides, demoing software, or walking through a website.

Creating Short-Form Video: Facebook Reels and Stories

Not all video has to be a long-form broadcast. Short-form, vertical videos are incredibly popular and effective for grabbing attention quickly. Facebook offers two primary formats for this: Reels and Stories.

Recording a Facebook Reel

Reels are short, entertaining videos (up to 90 seconds) set to music or other audio. They are designed for discovery and are a fantastic way to reach new audiences beyond your existing followers.

• Start a Reel: From your Facebook News Feed, tap "Reel" in the create menu at the top, or find the "Reels" section and tap the camera icon.
• Choose Your Audio: Tap the "Audio" icon to browse and select a trending song or an original audio clip. The right audio can make a huge impact on a Reel's performance.
• Set Your Timer: If you're recording yourself hands-free, tap the "Timer" icon. You can set a 3-second or 10-second countdown before recording begins.
• Record Your Clips: Press and hold the record button to capture your first clip. You can record one long clip or multiple shorter clips that string together. Release the button to stop recording.
• Add Effects and Text: After recording, you can add AR effects, text overlays, stickers, or use the Green Screen feature. Tap "Next" to move to the editing screen where you can trim clips and fine-tune your additions.
• Publish Your Reel: Write a catchy caption, add relevant hashtags, and choose your audience. Then, tap "Share Reel" to publish it.

Recording a Facebook Story

Stories are temporary (disappearing after 24 hours) photos and short video clips that appear at the top of the News Feed. They are perfect for behind-the-scenes content, casual updates, and time-sensitive announcements for your most engaged followers.

• Create a Story: From the top of your News Feed, tap the "Create story" tile.
• Record Your Video: The camera will open automatically. Press and hold the record button at the bottom to record a video clip. You can also import a pre-recorded video or photo from your camera roll.
• Get Creative: This is where Stories shine. Once you have your clip, swipe through to add filters. Use the icons at the top to add stickers (like polls, quizzes, or Q&,As), text, or music to make your Story interactive and eye-catching.
• Share Your Story: When you're happy with your creation, tap "Share" to post it. It will be visible to your followers for the next 24 hours.

Uploading Pre-Recorded Videos: Polished Content on Your Schedule

Sometimes, live isn't the right fit. For highly edited tutorials, product demos, or evergreen content, uploading a pre-recorded video is the way to go. This gives you full control over the final product before it ever goes public.

A Quick and Simple Guide:

• From Your Phone: In the Facebook app, tap "What's on your mind?" and select the "Photo/Video" option. Choose your video from your phone’s gallery, write a description, and tap "Post."
• From Your Desktop: For the most features, use Meta Business Suite. This is the professional way to manage your Facebook Page and Instagram content.
  1. Go to Meta Business Suite and select "Create post."
  2. Click "Add video" and choose "Upload from desktop."
  3. While the video uploads, you can craft your entire post. Add a compelling title, a detailed description, relevant hashtags, and even a custom thumbnail image.
  4. You can choose to publish the video immediately, schedule it for a later date and time, or save it as a draft.

Best Practices for Any Facebook Video You Record

No matter which format you choose, a few universal principles will help your video stand out.

First Things First: Prepare Your Setup

• Check Your Lighting: Good lighting is the most important factor in video quality. Position yourself facing a window for soft, natural light, or use a simple ring light. Avoid having a bright light source behind you.
• Stabilize Your Camera: Shaky footage is distracting. Prop your phone up against something, or invest in a small, inexpensive tripod. This makes a huge difference, especially for live streams.
• Test Your Audio: Viewers are more forgiving of mediocre video quality than they are of bad audio. In a quiet room, your phone’s built-in mic might be fine. For better quality, use headphones with a built-in mic or a dedicated lavalier mic.

While Recording: Capture Attention

• Start Strong: The first 3-5 seconds are everything. Grab your audience's attention immediately by stating the value of your video or showing something visually interesting.
• Be Authentic: Don't worry about being perfect. People connect with real people. Let your personality show.
• Engage Directly: For live videos, welcome new viewers and interact with comments. For recorded videos, ask questions in your caption to spark a conversation.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're going live for an interactive Q&,A, editing a 30-second Reel, or sharing a quick update to your Story, recording video is one of the most effective ways to build a community on Facebook. By picking the right format for your message and following a few best practices for lighting and sound, you can create engaging content that your audience will love.

After you've created your amazing content, the next challenge is getting it all managed and scheduled without the chaos. We made Postbase because we believe there is a simpler way. It’s designed for a modern, video-first world, allowing you to easily plan all of your Reels, short-form videos, and other posts in a single visual calendar, publish them everywhere at once, and see exactly what's performing, all in one clean and reliable dashboard.