LIVE and Kicking!

The live feature on social media and content sharing platforms is all the rage. Here’s a dummy’s guide to go LIVE.

- Nidhi Singal

Candace Payne, a mother of two from the US, became a sensation on Facebook after she posted a live video donning a Chewbacca (a character from the Star Wars franchise) mask to share her joy with friends on the “internet webs”. The video, uploaded in May 2016, which shows her wearing the mask with childlike enthusiasm and laughing hysterically, has garnered over 165 million views on Facebook – the most watched live video on the social networking site.

Live videos have taken the social media and video sharing platforms by storm. Whether at a party or a protest march, people are sharing the moment through live videos. The popularity of live videos can be attributed to their ease of use. It negates the need for a video camera set-up or technical know-how. A smartphone, or any device with a camera, and internet connection are all you need to become a live star. Bloggers and celebrities are recognising the ‘live’ feature as a powerful tool to connect with their fans and followers, and garner more following.

Although there are a host of apps that support live videos, here are the most popular ones to get you going: 

Facebook Live