Yep, you heard that right. After the 30-day mark, those vibrant, in-the-moment live streams you poured your heart and soul (and maybe a questionable filter or two) into will be poof – gone. Vanished. Like that last slice of pizza at a party.

So, What’s the Dealio?

Meta is pulling the plug on long-term storage of live videos. Their reasoning? Streamlining and focusing on other video formats like Reels and short-form content. While they haven’t explicitly stated it, we can hazard a guess that storage costs and a push towards more easily digestible content are likely playing a big role.

I will be speaking live about this on the next AuthorCraft call on Monday 21st May at 7pm. 

For some, this might feel like a minor flicker. If your live videos were more of a spontaneous chat or a quick announcement, the 30-day window might be plenty. However, for others, this could feel like a significant damp squib:

• Creators with valuable content: Think of those who hosted live Q&A sessions packed with insightful information, tutorials demonstrating key skills, or even virtual events that offered real value. Losing that archive after just a month means that wealth of knowledge becomes inaccessible to new followers and those who missed it live.

• Businesses building a library: Many businesses have used live videos to showcase products, conduct interviews with industry experts, or build a sense of community. That valuable backlog of content, which could be repurposed and shared, will now have a limited shelf life.

• The FOMO Factor (Fear Of Missing Out, amplified): Knowing that live content is ephemeral might actually increase the pressure to tune in live, which could be a good thing for engagement in the short term. However, it also creates a barrier for those who can’t make it at that specific time.

Things to Consider: Don’t Let Your Firework Fizzle Out!

So, what’s a content creator or business to do? Don’t panic! We at Social Fireworks have a few bright ideas to keep your content shining:

1. Download and Repurpose: This is your golden ticket! As soon as your live video wraps up, make it a priority to download it. From there, the possibilities are endless. Chop it into shorter, engaging clips for Reels and TikTok. Transcribe the audio for blog posts or social media captions. Extract key quotes for graphics. Your live content can have a vibrant afterlife!

2. Strategic Planning: Think about the longevity of your live content before you hit that “Go Live” button. If it’s something you envision being valuable beyond 30 days, have a plan in place for how you’ll preserve and repurpose it.

3. Embrace the Ephemeral (Strategically): For some content, the fleeting nature of live video can be its strength. Use it for timely announcements, behind-the-scenes glimpses, or interactive sessions that thrive on immediacy.

4. Explore Alternative Platforms: While Meta’s changes are significant, remember there are other platforms that offer longer video storage options. Consider diversifying your content strategy.

Give Your Content a One-Off Spark with Social Fireworks!

Feeling a bit overwhelmed by these changes and want a quick boost to navigate them? That’s where we come in! At Social Fireworks, we’re experts at crafting and managing social media strategies that truly ignite engagement and deliver results.

Don’t let Meta’s video changes dim your social media sparkle. Get in touch for a full range of social media services to ensure you stand out in the dark. Get in contact.