Facebook Live allows you to broadcast live video to your followers on Facebook. It’s a great way to connect with your audience in real time and share announcements, behind-the-scenes footage, Q&As, and more.
One fun way to use Facebook Live is to do a dual live stream, where you go live together with another person. This allows you to interview someone, have a conversation, or collaborate on something with a co-host.
Dual lives open up lots of possibilities for engaging video content. In this guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to plan and execute a successful dual live stream on Facebook.
Benefits of Doing a Dual Facebook Live
Here are some of the key advantages of going live with another person:
- It’s more dynamic and conversational than a solo live stream.
- You can easily interview someone or have them share their expertise.
- It allows fans to see your collaborations and relationships.
- The conversation flows more naturally than a single host.
- You have someone to interact with and play off of.
- It’s fun and entertaining for viewers.
- You can double your audience by leveraging both hosts’ follower bases.
Dual lives create a dialogue that feels natural and unscripted. It’s also less pressure than carrying a full live show yourself. The combined perspectives make for richer content that followers love.
Choosing Your Co-Host
When planning a dual live stream, the first step is choosing someone to go live with. Here are some things to keep in mind:
Pick Someone Relevant to Your Niche
Choose a co-host who is knowledgeable or influential in the same field as you. This way, they can provide valuable expertise and perspective for your audience. For example, if you have a cooking show, you could go live with a chef friend. If you run a makeup account, team up with another makeup artist.
Collaborate With Other Content Creators
Dual streaming is a great opportunity to collaborate and cross-promote with other creators in your niche. Go live with fellow bloggers, artists, influencers, or experts to expose each other’s audiences to new content.
Consider Partners, Brands, or Clients
Live streaming with a business partner, brand sponsor, or client can add an insider perspective viewers won’t get elsewhere. It helps humanize brands and strengthens relationships.
Choose Someone You Have Natural Chemistry With
Most importantly, select a co-host you vibe with and play off well. Your personalities should balance and conversation should flow easily. Test out recording together before going live.
Ways to Use a Dual Live Stream
Once you’ve selected your co-host, it’s time to decide what you’ll actually do during your dual live. Here are some popular formats to consider:
Q&A or Interview
Have your co-host answer questions from viewers in real time. Or play interviewer and have them share stories, expertise and tips.
Tutorial or Presentation
Give a how-to or tutorial together on a topic you both know about. Or have them present while you demo.
Conversation
Simply have a back-and-forth chat about industry news, experiences, or other interesting topics.
Collaboration
Show viewers how you work creatively together on a project – like cooking up a recipe or painting a canvas.
Playing a Game
Engage viewers by playing a game together like trivia or Pictionary where they can play along in comments.
Product Launch or Reveal
Dual stream a new product release or project reveal to share the news.
Tools You’ll Need
While Facebook Live’s built-in streaming works fine, having the right gear helps ensure quality. Here are some tools to have on hand:
Smartphones
The easiest way to dual live stream is by going mobile. Both you and your guest will need smartphones to broadcast from separate locations. iPhones tend to offer the best video quality.
Tripods
Mount both phones on tripods to keep footage smooth and hands-free. Mini smartphone tripods are inexpensive.
Microphones
A lapel mic or external mic helps boost sound, especially if there’s background noise. Consider wireless lavalier mics you both wear.
Streaming Software
Programs like Streamyard or Restream allow broadcasting multi-cam streams from desktops, adding overlays and switching between feeds.
Lighting
Add clip lights, rings lights or reflectors to ensure you’re both well-lit on camera. Proper lighting prevents graininess or shadows.
Stable Internet Connection
Laggy, choppy video frustrates viewers. Make sure you both have strong, high-speed internet for streaming. Consider hardwiring into routers.
Going Live Together From Different Locations
A big advantage of dual streaming is you and your co-host can be in entirely different places. Here are a few options for broadcasting together remotely:
Stream Separately Through Software
Use a platform like Streamyard to have each person live stream their feed through separate devices and internet connections. Streamyard stitches together the videos in one player. You’ll be able to see each other and easily switch between cameras.
Add Your Guest to Your Live
If your co-host has limited tech capabilities, you can walk them through calling in via Messenger on Facebook. Add their video feed to your live stream through the Facebook Live producer tools.
Use the Facebook Live API
Developers can leverage the Live Video API to sync up and combine streams from unlimited sources. This takes some technical skill but unlocks powerful capabilities.
Go Old School With Video Conferencing
Programs like Zoom, Skype or Google Hangouts allow free video chat sessions. Simply start a call, set up separate streaming software on each device, and add the video feeds in.
Promoting and Planning Your Dual Live
Dual streaming takes more coordination than a solo show. Follow these tips for seamless planning:
Set a Date and Time
Schedule your dual stream at least a few weeks out to give you both time to promote. Consider time zones if broadcasting from different locations.
Discuss the Format and Content
Touch base with your co-host about the live stream format, talking points, and flow beforehand so you’re aligned. Share any prep materials needed.
Cross-Promote the Event
Leverage both your and your guest’s platforms to hype the dual live. Post on social media, send emails, create Facebook events, and more.
Send Reminders Leading Up To It
Keep momentum going by sending regular reminders across your channels. Send a final reminder an hour beforehand telling people it’s almost time.
Test Your Tech Setup Beforehand
Do a video call together to identify any connection issues. Verify streaming software, cameras, mics, and lighting work properly. Troubleshoot problems so you’re not scrambling last minute.
Executing a Seamless Dual Live Stream
When showtime arrives, stay calm and lean on each other for a smooth dual stream:
Have Water and Notes Ready
Keep water handy to stay hydrated under the lights. Have any notes or talking points within reach, but don’t rely on them too heavily.
Kick Off the Stream Together
Do a coordinated countdown to pressing “Go Live” so you sync up starting. Greet audiences on both feeds and introduce your co-host.
Monitor Comments and Engage Viewers
Between conversation points, have one person monitor and read comments. Shout out viewers and answer questions when appropriate.
Stay Flexible Through Technical Difficulties
Despite best efforts, live video comes with some tech hiccups. Roll with any glitches and get streams reconnected ASAP if disconnected.
Wrap Up Conversation Smoothly
When hitting time, wind down discussion naturally. Thank everyone for watching and remind them to follow you both for more collabs.
Following Up After the Live Stream
The work isn’t over once you end the broadcast. Follow these tips to continue engaging your expanded audience:
Save the Video to Both Your Timelines
Be sure to save and share the replay from each of your Facebook pages. Not all viewers can catch it live.
Share Clips From the Stream
Cut and post short highlight clips from funny or informative moments in the live. This extends the reach and life of your content.
Continue the Conversation
Keep discussing stream topics with fans in comments, messages and future posts. Add any insight you didn’t get to cover live.
Collab Again and Make it a Series
If the dual stream goes well, do it again! Make it a regular series with your co-host focused on different topics.
Key Takeaways
Dual streaming with a co-host allows you to create an interactive, conversational broadcast that delivers double the value for viewers. Keep these tips in mind:
- Choose someone relevant that you have natural rapport with.
- Pick a format that highlights both your perspectives.
- Use software tools to sync up feeds from different locations.
- Promote the dual stream extensively beforehand.
- Test all equipment and connections thoroughly before going live.
- Interact with comments and troubleshoot issues seamlessly.
- Save the video and share clips after.
Bringing another host into the mix takes your live streams to the next level. Take advantage of the engagement, exposure and creativity of dual streaming on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you go live with someone else on Facebook?
Yes, Facebook Live has options that allow you to add other people into your live stream in real time, either via video call or by streaming together through broadcasting software.
How do I add someone to my Facebook Live video?
If they are with you in-person, you can use the Facebook Live producer tools to add their camera feed. If they are remote, they can call in via Messenger video or a software platform like Streamyard.
Can you do a split screen on Facebook Live?
Yes, using multi-stream software like Streamyard you can configure different video feeds in split screen or picture-in-picture layouts. This allows you to incorporate multiple perspectives.
Is there a way to go live with 2 phones on Facebook?
You can use 2 phones to go live on Facebook by having each person start their own stream, then using production software to combine the feeds in one player. Or add someone calling in through Messenger.
Can you go live with 2 cameras on Facebook?
Two camera angles can be incorporated into one Facebook Live by using a multi-cam streaming program on a desktop computer. Switch between 2 webcam inputs in the software and the stream will change angles.
Can you go live on multiple Facebook pages at once?
Yes, using a service like Restream or Streamyard you can live stream to both your and your co-host’s Facebook pages simultaneously. This expands your potential reach.
Conclusion
Dual live streaming taps into the interactive, participatory power of Facebook Live video. By teaming up with a co-host, you can create diverse, lively content that delivers value for twice the audience. Use the strategies in this guide to plan and execute compelling collaborations that engage your community.