Common Facebook Live Mistakes to Avoid
Published on 10.06.2026 by Chizoba T
Facebook Live can be a powerful tool for brands looking to connect with their online audiences, expand brand exposure, and increase customer engagement. This is why 35% of marketers use Facebook Live features, and you should make it part of your Facebook video marketing strategy.
If you have tried using the Facebook Live feature but didn't see the desired results, you may be making certain mistakes. Join us in this article as we discuss some common mistakes that users of Facebook Live make.
Top Facebook Live Mistakes to Avoid
Before you start creating a Facebook Live, make sure you avoid the following mistakes:
Shooting in the Wrong Location
One thing to note is that Facebook Live viewers often focus on the creator and their background. If you shoot live in a noisy, cluttered, and ugly background, you will only end up distracting viewers from your message, and they might turn off. A good idea would be to choose a well-lit location and use beautiful visuals that capture viewers' attention. You should practice in the location before shooting your live event.
You can conduct a test broadcast directly on your personal Facebook profile from your laptop, tablet, or smartphone. If you don't want your audience to see the test first, you can set your profile to Only Me. This will save the video in your profile. You can then take time to watch the “live” and see if there are any changes you need to make before you can hold the live event.
Adding an Unclear Heading and Description
When setting up a live broadcast, you can add a heading and a description. This can be a good strategy for getting visibility for your online videos and gaining more views. A good idea would be to make a video that your viewers want to watch, and on a topic that resonates with your target audience, but avoid using industry jargon.
Not Promoting the Live Before Going Live
Facebook enables creators to create spontaneous, real-time content to share with their followers. A good idea is to turn the live event into a scheduled event to build a larger, more loyal audience. If you would like to increase the number of views for your live stream, plan in advance when and where you will go live.
You can do that by creating a post on your social media announcing the live event at least one day in advance. You can then send a reminder before the live starts. This will enable you to reach your target audience and Facebook users during the live.
Not Creating an Outline for the Live
While the concept of Live may suggest not having a content outline, you don't want to click the blue button without knowing what you'll be talking about. When creating a planned segment, you need an outline of the points you will discuss during the broadcast.
But why does this really matter? At times, you can go Live only to be thrown off the track by viewers' questions or even funny comments, which can cause you to completely lose your train of thought. The outline will help you get back on track with your broadcast.
Using Landscape Instead of Vertical Formats
The majority of social media users access Facebook on their mobile devices. If you use a landscape format, users will have to tilt their phones. A good idea would be to use vertical videos to match the way smartphones are used. The vertical format also fills the entire phone and increases the user’s attention span.
Doing Too Many Things Simultaneously
When you try to do too many things at once, you can get overwhelmed. While you may be tempted to hold the props, each element you add will bring more distraction. That's why it's a good idea to start simple and test things out. You can continue growing the responsibilities and set up as you become more comfortable with the Live.
Neglecting Viewers
The aim of Facebook Live and other social media platforms is to connect more people. This is something you need to remember throughout your broadcast. A well-made Facebook Live should encourage two-way communication between you and your audience as you respond to comments in their Feed.
As more and more people join the live, you should thank them or watch. The good thing is that Facebook Live lets you see comments in real-time. Take time to call out the names of people who join the live, as this will also help amplify the interaction. Remember that when the interactions are amplified, you will appear more in people’s feeds. When more people engage with your live, it will increase its reach.
Practice answering questions before you go live by creating a practice stream with your colleagues or team members. You can tell them to ask questions or make comments that you are likely to get on the live stream.
Creating a Low-Quality Live
You don't need to be a professional photographer to make a great Facebook Live broadcast. However, this is not an excuse for poor-quality live videos, as they will damage your brand. A good smartphone camera will be enough to create an outstanding live video, but you also need to make your camera steady by using a tripod. A shaky video can be a turn-off during a live stream.
Other important tools for great lighting and audio include:
- Shoot in a query space. If you are doing a collab with more than one person in the live, use external microphones.
- Good lighting. Ensure that the subject is well-lit, either from natural light or the lamps.
Not Asking Viewers to do Something
When people join your livestream, they have your undivided attention, unlike on other social media platforms. When viewers join your live broadcast, they are getting closer to a face-to-face conversation. It means they have already given you their undivided attention and are no longer streaming on their Facebook feed.
Therefore, consider what you want your audience to do in advance, whether it's subscribing to the live stream, asking questions, leaving a review, sharing the broadcast, or even liking the review. No matter what you choose, don't waste the opportunity to convert your live viewers and take advantage of the social media lead generation strategy without ads.
Not Conducting a Post-Stream Follow-Up
After finishing the livestream, you might be tempted to forget about it and move on to the next task. However, the video will stay on your Facebook page until you remove it yourself. Depending on how the live performed, this can be a good or bad thing. If your Live video didn't go well, you can instantly remove it. However, if it was a success, you can write a final post on the broadcast, thanking every person who attended. You can share the broadcast across different social media platforms.
In Conclusion
Facebook Live can be a great choice for brands that want to grow their engagement and brand awareness online. The good news is that a good Live doesn't require much expertise to pull off. However, the above are some mistakes you need to avoid, as falling into them could negatively impact your brand. We recommend you read our guide on Facebook lead ads.