To embed a Facebook livestream on your Event, you'll first need to configure your livestream settings, then add your Facebook livestream (or pre-recorded video) URL.
You cannot add livestream video to a Form or Page campaign, but you can easily change the type of an existing campaign. You can also add livestream video to an Event campaign with an auction!
Setting up your livestream ⚙️
In your dashboard, choose the Event campaign you'd like to add a livestream to from the Campaigns tab.
Select the Event tab. At the top of the page, ensure you've selected either a Digital or Hybrid event type. (You cannot add livestream video to an In Person event.)
Scroll down to the Livestream section. Livestream on Givebutter will be selected.
Select Facebook from the dropdown list.
Enter your Livestream URL or the URL for your Facebook Premiere.
Choose when you'd like your livestream to go live.
Manually control – Turn the livestream on and off using the Start and Stop buttons located in this section.
Schedule – Set times for your livestream to automatically start and stop. Your Givebutter page will automatically show and hide your livestream at the designated time without requiring visitors to refresh the page.
When you go live from most platforms, viewers will see the cover photo automatically switch over to your livestream – whether you started it manually or at a scheduled time, your guests won't need to refresh the page.
When you go live on Givebutter while your Facebook stream is live, you will see your livestream playing on the campaign page.
Adding a livestream URL 🎬
Visit the Facebook Live Page to learn how to create a Livestream on Facebook.
Unfortunately, scheduling a live video with Facebook will not provide you with a Live Video URL until you actually go live. Because of this, you may:
Schedule Facebook to go "live" 30-60 minutes before your event's start time, and display a placeholder image until the event begins. Once that Facebook live stream begins, you'll be able to take the link and add it to Givebutter using the above instructions ("Using Facebook Live") in the time immediately prior to your event starting.
Wait until the scheduled time to go live and paste the Live Video URL into Givebutter immediately upon doing so.
If you'd like to test the ability to stream from Facebook, you can duplicate your campaign, make sure it is unpublished, and attempt the process there.
Using Facebook Premiere 🍿
Facebook Premiere is a popular option for organizations using pre-recorded video. You can premiere videos on any Facebook Page for which you're the admin. A Premiere gives the illusion of a broadcast, and after the stream is complete, the video will be saved on your Givebutter campaign automatically, for a playback opportunity (when the livestream end time is left empty).
Premieres have to be scheduled at least 10 minutes in advance. You won't be able to launch a Premiere immediately, so be sure to plan ahead. Facebook pages can schedule more than one Premiere for the same time.
Viewers on your Facebook page can click a button to subscribe to notifications on your Premiere. Subscribers receive notifications 20 minutes and 3 minutes before your Premiere begins. Givebutter does not send out notifications specific to livestream events. The only opportunity to set up a Premiere is when you first upload your video.
After you Upload Video on Facebook, specify your video details and settings, then select Next in the bottom right.
In the Publishing options window, select Premiere, set a date and time and upload an image.
Select Publish in the bottom right. Facebook will notify you when the buffering process is complete.
Navigate to Facebook Creator Studio.
Copy the Live Video URL and paste it into your Givebutter Dashboard.
Once your Premiere is scheduled, do not edit the file. If you need to swap in an updated or fixed video, do so at least one hour in advance.
FAQ 🤔
Can I host a livestream with multiple hosts and screen sharing on Facebook?
This isn't possible on Facebook directly. To include multiple hosts or screen share on a livestream, we'd recommend using Zoom and porting your livestream to Facebook.
Can I test my livestream before my event?
Yes! You can go live at any time – no notifications are sent out. If you'd like to test your livestream without the risk of anyone accidentally seeing it on your live campaign page, you can always create a test Event campaign to become familiar with the functions before the day of your public livestream.
Are supporters notified when a livestream starts on Givebutter?
No, it functions like a standard event – reminders are sent out 24 hours and 1 hour beforehand, and only if reminders are enabled.
What's the difference between using a video as the campaign Cover Photo and using a pre-recorded video as a livestream?
While both options provide a similar result, a scheduled livestream event creates a sense of place, urgency, and community you won't get with an embedded video on your campaign page. A livestream will also be labeled as such on the public page, and you can toggle between your livestream video and cover photo to suit your event timings.
Can I host multiple livestreams during my event? Can I use multiple streaming platforms?
Yes, however you cannot use multiple livestreams simultaneously on one Event page. You are able to change your livestream information (including platform and URL) whenever you like, even if it's during your event.
Can I add a livestream directly to the auction page/tab on my campaign?
Not currently, no – the livestream will be located on the main campaign Overview page. Please see the feature request for embedding a livestream on the auction tab!