How to Schedule a Facebook Live

Going live on Facebook is a brilliant way to connect with your audience in real-time, but simply hitting the Go Live button on a whim isn't always the best strategy. By scheduling your Facebook Live event ahead of time, you give yourself the runway to build buzz, increase your viewership, and deliver a more polished, professional broadcast. This article will show you exactly how to schedule your broadcast, step-by-step, and share some best practices for making it an event people actually show up for.

The Strategic Advantage of Scheduling Your Facebook Live

Before getting into the technical steps, it helps to understand why this is a move worth making. Scheduling a Facebook Live isn't just about putting a placeholder on your timeline, it's a strategic decision that unlocks some powerful benefits for your brand or business.

• It Builds Anticipation. When you schedule a broadcast, Facebook creates an announcement post on your Page. This post acts as a promotional tool, letting your followers know something valuable is coming. They can opt in to receive a reminder notification, effectively adding your event to their calendar with a single click. This builds hype and turns a passive scroller into an engaged viewer.
• It Boosts Your "Live" Viewership. A last-minute live stream only catches people who happen to be online at that exact moment. A scheduled event gives your community notice. They can plan to attend, rearrange their schedule, and be ready to engage the moment you go live. More initial viewers can also improve your video's visibility in the Facebook algorithm.
• It Lets You Prepare Like a Pro. A well-planned broadcast is always better than an improvised one. Scheduling gives you time to do a full tech check - testing your camera, microphone, lighting, and internet connection. You can outline your talking points, create visual aids, and coordinate with any guests you plan to have on, eliminating the stress of last-minute scrambles.
• It Signals Professionalism. Spontaneity is great, but a scheduled event communicates that you've put thought and effort into your content. It positions your broadcast as a must-see event rather than a casual, unplanned chat, which builds trust and authority with your audience.

How to Schedule a Facebook Live on Desktop (The Step-by-Step Guide)

Using a computer is the most reliable and feature-rich way to schedule and manage a Facebook Live. Facebook's "Live Producer" dashboard gives you full control over every aspect of your broadcast. Here’s how to navigate it.

Step 1: Navigate to the Live Producer

First, go to the Facebook Page from which you want to broadcast. Look for the post composer box where you'd normally type a status update. Beneath it, you'll see a few options. Click the "Live video" button (it often has a red camera icon). This will take you to the Facebook Live Producer dashboard.

Step 2: Choose Your Live Video Settings

Once you're in the Live Producer, you'll see a panel on the left with a few key options. Right at the top, you’ll be asked to choose between "Go live" now or "Schedule live video."

Click on "Schedule live video."

Next, you’ll be asked to set a date and time for your event. Be mindful of your audience and pick a time when they are most active. Facebook requires you to schedule at least one hour in advance, but for promotional purposes, it’s best to schedule it at least a few days out. Remember to check the time zone setting to make sure it's accurate!

Step 3: Craft Your Announcement Post

This is one of the most important pieces of the process. The details you enter here will form the announcement post that appears on your Page’s timeline, so make it count.

• Title: Create a clear, compelling title. Instead of "Going Live," try something specific that highlights the value for the viewer, like "Live Q&A: Our Top 5 Tips for Growing a Garden in Small Spaces" or "Product Demo: A First Look at Our New Summer Collection."
• Description: Use this space to expand on your title. What will you be covering? Are there any special guests? Is there a call to action, like asking people to submit questions in the comments? Outline what attendees will gain from tuning in.
• Image/Thumbnail: By default, Facebook may use your profile or cover photo. You should upload a custom image. A good thumbnail grabs attention in the feed. A simple graphic created in Canva showing the title, your photo (or your guest's), and the date/time works perfectly. This makes your post look much more professional.

Step 4: Configure Your Stream Setup

Next, you'll select your video source. Facebook gives you two main options:

1. Webcam: This is the simplest option. It uses your computer's built-in webcam or any USB camera you have connected. Choose this if you're presenting directly to the camera without any complex visuals. After selecting it, you may need to grant your browser permission to access your camera and microphone. You can then select the correct devices from the dropdown menus.

2. Streaming Software: This is a more advanced option for those who want to do things like share their screen, display professional-looking graphics (like lower-thirds with names and titles), play pre-recorded video clips, or use multiple camera angles. Popular streaming tools like OBS Studio, StreamYard, or Ecamm Live connect to Facebook via a unique "stream key" that Facebook provides. This article won't go deep into using streaming software, but just know that if you see this option, it's for those pro-level setups.

For most users, sticking with the Webcam option is quick, easy, and gets the job done.

Step 5: Finalize and Schedule Your Broadcast

Once your details and video source are set, give everything a final once-over. Check the date, time, title, and description for any typos.

Finally, click the blue "Schedule Live Video" button at the bottom-left of the screen. That's it! Facebook will now automatically publish that announcement post to your timeline. Your followers will see it in their feeds and can click "Get Reminder" to be notified before you go live.

The Pre-Live Checklist: Maximizing Your Scheduled Event

Your work isn't done once the post is scheduled. The time between scheduling and going live is your golden opportunity to turn your broadcast into a success. Here's what to do next.

• Promote, Promote, Promote: Don't rely on Facebook's algorithm alone. Actively promote your upcoming Live video. Share the announcement post on your Instagram Stories with a countdown sticker. Post about it on X or LinkedIn. Mention it in your email newsletter. The more you remind people, the better your attendance will be.
• Engage with the Announcement Post: As people comment on your announcement post with questions or excitement, respond to them! This starts the conversation early and builds a sense of community around the event. Pinning a comment with a key detail, like a link to your website, can also be helpful.
• Test Your Equipment (Again): About an hour before you're set to go live, do a final tech rehearsal. Make sure your internet connection is stable, your lighting looks good, your audio is clear, and your camera is positioned correctly.
• Prepare Your Space: Tidy up your background so it's not distracting. Have a glass of water nearby. Keep your talking points or a notepad just out of frame in case you need a reminder of what to cover.

Going Live on the Day

Starting your scheduled broadcast isn’t automatic. This is a common bit of confusion, but you still need to manually start the stream. About 5-10 minutes before your scheduled go-live time, head back to your Facebook Page and go to the Live Producer. You will see your scheduled stream under "Upcoming Live Videos & Events." Click on it, verify your settings one last time, and then click the new blue "Go Live" button. A countdown will appear, and you'll be live!

On the Go? How to Schedule a Facebook Live from Your Phone

While the desktop experience offers more control, you can also schedule a Live video from your phone. The interface changes from time to time, but the general process is straightforward.

• Open the Facebook app and navigate to your Page.
• Start to create a new post and choose the “Live video” option.
• Before starting the broadcast, look at the icons on the screen. There is typically one that looks like a calendar or has a "Schedule" label. Tap on it.
• Select the date and time for your broadcast. Many of the same options for a title and description will be here as well.
• After setting the time, fill in your description.
• Tap “Schedule” or an equivalent button, and Facebook will create the announcement post on your page.

The functionality on mobile is more limited - you won't have the advanced camera settings or the ability to easily manage streaming software - but for a quick and simple scheduled event, it works great.

Final Thoughts

Scheduling a Facebook Live transforms your broadcast from an impromptu stream into a planned event. This simple shift gives you the space to generate excitement, attract a larger audience, and deliver your content with confidence. By following these steps, you remove the technical guesswork and can focus on what truly matters: connecting with your community.

Thinking about your content in advance is the foundation of any strong social media presence. At Postbase, we built our tool around the idea that social media management should be visual and straightforward. Seeing how a scheduled Live event fits into your weekly content cadence alongside your upcoming Reels, Stories, and static posts is a game-changer. Our visual calendar lets you drag and drop to plan campaigns, spot gaps, and see exactly how all your content works together in a way that builds real momentum. Integrating your best-performing content doesn't need to be disorganized chaos, and with Postbase, it never is.