Putting an overlay on your Facebook Live videos can be a great way to brand your content, promote offers, and enhance the viewer experience. With the right overlay tools and techniques, it’s easy to add customizable graphics and text elements on top of your live videos.
What is a Facebook Live overlay?
A Facebook Live overlay refers to any graphic or text element that is layered on top of your live video feed as you broadcast. Common types of overlays include:
- Logos
- Branding elements
- Lower thirds with speaker name and title
- Location info
- Stock images or photos
- Text boxes with calls-to-action, offers, etc.
- Animated graphics
Overlays give you a way to reinforce branding, communicate key information, highlight special promotions, and overall make your live videos look more polished and professional. They are layered on top of the video feed itself and remain visible to viewers as they watch.
Why use a Facebook Live overlay?
There are a few key reasons to use overlays for your Facebook Live broadcasts:
- Branding: Add your logo, brand colors, and other design elements to establish brand identity and recognition.
- Information: Communicate important details like speaker name and title, event names, locations, dates, etc.
- Promotion: Spotlight special offers, coupons codes, contests, sales, etc. to drive engagement.
- Visual interest: Images, graphics, and animated effects can make your videos more dynamic and engaging for viewers.
- Professionalism: Polished broadcasting with overlays establishes expertise and authority.
The right overlays can take your live videos to the next level and help you connect with and convert viewers.
How to create a Facebook Live overlay
There are a few different options for actually creating overlay graphics for Facebook Live. Here are some of the top methods:
Design from scratch
For full custom overlays, you can design graphics, logos, text elements, etc. completely from scratch using design software like Photoshop, Illustrator, or Canva. This gives you complete creative control, but requires more time and skill to execute.
Facebook Live tools
Some software tools for Facebook Live, like Streamyard or BeLive, have integrated options for adding overlays to your broadcasts. These platforms offer templates and easy customization.
Pre-made templates
You can also choose from pre-made overlay templates on sites like Etsy or Creative Market. These offer quick customization with your own branding.
DIY kits
Some brands sell DIY overlay creation kits with assets like logo files, fonts, colors, etc. so you can easily design your own. Try looking for “stream overlay kit” or “Facebook Live kit”.
The right approach depends on your design experience and budget. Leverage pre-made assets when you can, but create fully custom options if you want complete control.
How to add an overlay during a Facebook Live
Once you’ve created your overlays, adding them during a Facebook Live broadcast is simple. There are a few methods to try:
Streaming software
Tools like OBS Studio, Streamyard, Wirecast, and others allow you to add overlay files and position/scale them over your video feed before streaming to Facebook. Very flexible option.
Facebook Live integrations
If using a tool with direct Facebook Live integration like BeLive or Streamyard, you can add overlays while going live very easily within the software itself.
Mobile apps
For quick mobile live streams, try apps like Kitcaster or Overlay. They provide assets and let you integrate overlays seamlessly.
Facebook Live Producer
Facebook’s own Live Producer desktop software allows you to import overlays and include them as you go live on PC.
Do some tests to figure out which option fits your workflow best. The goal is integrating overlays seamlessly into your broadcasts.
Facebook Live overlay tips
Follow these tips when adding overlays to your Facebook Live videos:
- Make overlays fit your brand identity and be cohesive.
- Test out placement and sizing – avoid covering important content.
- Use high quality, compressed graphics for best quality.
- Keep overlays simple and readable at smaller sizes.
- Refresh elements periodically – don’t leave the same graphic the whole time.
- Use animations and movements sparingly – they can be distracting.
- Include a countdown before going live to build anticipation.
Facebook Live overlay ideas
Some creative ways to use overlays for Facebook Live include:
Spotlight products
Highlight new products, deals, etc. with images and short descriptions overlaid on your video.
Coupon codes
Share limited-time coupon codes and special promos on your broadcast overlays to drive sales.
Poll graphics
Overlay graphics inviting viewers to respond to live polls and interactive questions.
Lower thirds
Use lower third graphics with name, title, and location info for webinars, presentations, and multi-speaker videos.
Multi-stream
Add an overlay with live streams from your other branded pages and channels.
Hashtag
Encourage viewer sharing and engagement with a branded hashtag overlay.
Conclusion
Adding overlays is an impactful way to level up your Facebook Live videos. With the right graphics and strategy, overlays give you tons of options for branding, promotion, viewer engagement, and unique interactive elements. Choose overlay software and creation methods that fit your needs and test different options to determine what resonates best with your audience. With compelling overlays and valuable live content, you can take your Facebook presence to the next level.