Facebook Live: VCU Health speakers give useful tips on making the most of the technology

By: Julie Grimes

In the session “Facebook Live: Opportunities Beyond Point and Shoot,” Anne Dreyfuss and Keith Kaufelt provided valuable insight and practical information on ways to expand engagement and increase brand value using the live-streaming platform.

The Virginia Commonwealth University Health communicators described the four content streams they utilize:

Interviews – Talks with medical experts in their office workspaces help humanize staff while relaying information to the public to inform health-related decisions.

Event coverage – Events, such as the white coat ceremony for new medical students, allow family and friends from around the world to be a part of previously limited activities.

Demonstrations – Segments, such as a nutrition demo done at the Science Museum of Virginia, provide valuable authentic content for viewers while strengthening partnerships in the community.

Behind the scenes  – Showcasing new equipment or spaces not normally available to the public allows the chance to capitalize on viewer curiosity and elevate the brand.

Dreyfuss and Kaufelt also included a discussion on the minimal equipment necessary to get started (a Facebook account and a cell phone) and additional inexpensive tools to aid in producing better Facebook Live experiences.