If you’re into live streaming, there are plenty of options to choose from. You might have heard about Facebook Live and YouTube Live, and it might seem like the deciding factor may be the popularity of the platform with the team’s fans (or viewing audience). It’s true that when it comes to a live-streaming audience, you want as many people as possible to see it.
But it isn’t all about numbers. What matters most is the quality of your viewers’ experience. Take a look at this comparison between YouTube Live vs. Facebook Live to decide which can provide the best experience for you.
1. Audience
Facebook video reaches more people than YouTube, but YouTube viewers tend to spend longer watching videos. What’s more, they’re more likely to watch live content.
Facebook’s primary demographic is, of course, its young users. Also, many booster clubs have Facebook pages where students are accustomed to going to get updates and also receiving notifications. So many of the student fans may be more inclined to watch live games and events here.
On the other hand, YouTube has been around since 2005. With more than 1 billion users, this platform is the third largest social media network on the planet. Simply put, it’s a powerhouse and also is much more recognizable to an older demographic. Specifically, parents and grandparents are more familiar with YouTube, when you compare the two sites.
The key takeaway here is to understand your audience and the platform(s) that they currently use and are most comfortable watching video and live streams. If Facebook is more popular with your audience, then that would be the way to go. If YouTube is generally more popular with your viewers, it is definitely a great option as well.
2. Live + On-Demand
Both YouTube Live and Facebook Live allow users to watch live streams as well as on-demand videos. Here’s how it works: after the live stream is completed, the video is available for viewing and sharing as long as the page admin would like. This is a great benefit for fans that are unable to watch the game live. Also, this enables you to continue to build those valuable relationships and brand with fans.
3. Monetization
Both YouTube Live and Facebook Live allow you to monetize your live streams but in different ways.
YouTube allows you to monetize your live streams through its Partner Program. When you’re a YouTube partner, you can earn money for ads that appear in your videos. The great news is that once you join the program, you can then earn money from your live streams.
Meanwhile, Facebook Live allows you to earn money through its Facebook’s Audience Network. Facebook puts your live stream in front of a large audience, so if you have a paid ad, you’re ready to go
To be clear, both options require a large audience/viewership. So while you may not reach this level on your first live stream….stick with it and you can get there eventually!
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