To schedule a Facebook Live, open Live Producer from your Page, choose to schedule the broadcast, set the date and time, add a title and description, and save. Meta's help says scheduling in Live Producer works up to 24 hours ahead, and creating a live video event is how you notify people in advance.
Scheduling a Facebook Live gives your audience notice, so more people turn up when you go on air. It's done through Live Producer, Facebook's tool for live video, and there are two things to know before you plan a launch around it: how far ahead you can schedule, and the eligibility rules that stop some accounts going live at all.
Before you start: can you go live?
Facebook's go-live help lists requirements. Your account must be at least 60 days old, and your Page or professional mode profile needs at least 100 followers. If you're setting up a brand new Page for a launch, build it early, or you may find you can't go live on the day.
Steps to schedule a Facebook Live
- Go to your Page and choose to create a live video, which opens Live Producer.
- Select the option to schedule your live video rather than going live now.
- Set the date and time.
- Add a title, description and cover image so people know what's coming.
- Choose how you'll stream: your webcam, or streaming software with a stream key.
- Save the scheduled broadcast.
How far ahead can you schedule?
Meta's business help says you can schedule a live broadcast in Live Producer up to 24 hours in advance. That's shorter than many people expect. If you want to promote a live a week or more ahead, the answer is a live video event, which Meta describes as the way to notify viewers about an upcoming broadcast.
| Goal | Tool |
|---|---|
| Set up the broadcast for later today or tomorrow | Schedule in Live Producer |
| Tell people days or weeks ahead | Create a live video event |
| Stream with cameras, slides or overlays | Streaming software with a stream key |
What your audience sees
Meta says that when you schedule this way, an announcement post about the upcoming broadcast is published to your Page. That's your chance to build interest: write a clear title, say what people will learn, and ask them to comment with questions in advance. If you create an event as well, people can choose to be reminded.
Using streaming software
For anything more polished than a phone stream, Facebook supports going live with streaming software. You connect it using the stream details Live Producer gives you, then start streaming at the scheduled time. Test the set-up the day before, not five minutes before you're due on, so there's time to fix anything that goes wrong.
Planning a live that people show up for
- Pick a time your audience is online. Your Page insights show when followers are active.
- Promote it in more than one place: your Page, your groups, your email list and your other socials.
- Have a simple plan: a welcome, three main points, then questions.
- Repeat the topic for late joiners, who arrive throughout.
- Say at the end when your next live will be.
After the live ends
Your live video stays on your Page afterwards unless you remove it, which means the recording keeps working for you. Edit the title and description so it makes sense to people watching later, add a pinned comment with timestamps for the main points, and share the replay to your stories and groups. Many viewers will only ever see the replay, so treat it as content in its own right rather than a leftover.
A simple promotion timeline
- A week or more ahead: create a live video event and share it.
- The day before: schedule the broadcast in Live Producer and check your set-up.
- An hour before: post a reminder and ask for questions.
- During: welcome people by name and repeat the topic for late joiners.
- After: share the replay and thank everyone who came.
If you can't schedule or go live
- New account or Page. Check the 60-day and 100-follower requirements.
- Wrong profile or Page. Make sure you're acting as the Page, not your personal profile.
- App out of date. Update Facebook or use a computer for Live Producer.
- Restrictions on the account. If Facebook has limited your account, live features may be unavailable for a time.
If plans change after you've promoted an event, my guide to cancelling a Facebook event covers telling people, and if a live goes wrong and you need to remove it afterwards, here's how to delete a Facebook live video.
My verdict
Use Live Producer to schedule your broadcast, but remember Meta says that only works up to 24 hours ahead. For longer promotion, create a live video event and share it widely. And check your account meets the 60-day and 100-follower rules well before launch day, so nothing stops you going on air.
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Frequently asked questions
How do I schedule a Facebook Live?
Open Live Producer from your Page, choose to schedule, set the date and time, add details and save.
How far in advance can I schedule a Facebook Live?
Meta's help says up to 24 hours in advance in Live Producer. Use a live video event to promote further ahead.
Why can't I go live on Facebook?
Facebook says your account must be at least 60 days old and your Page or professional profile needs at least 100 followers.
Does Facebook announce a scheduled live?
Meta says an announcement post is published to your Page when you schedule in Live Producer.
Can I use streaming software for a Facebook Live?
Yes. Facebook supports going live with streaming software.
What should I do with the recording after a live?
Edit the title and description, add timestamps in a pinned comment, and share the replay, since many people only watch afterwards.
How do I remind people about my live?
Create a live video event so viewers can be notified about the upcoming broadcast.
