Dena Blizzard is One Funny Mother, a comic who toured the US before COVID-19 hit and turned to Facebook Live during the pandemic to continue connecting with her community of mothers and wine lovers.
Find out how in-stream ads for Facebook Live boosted earnings by 65%, helping her earn more money from home.
Results
From November 16–December 13, 2020:
65% growth in earnings, versus the month prior to onboarding (September 7–October 4, 2020)*
Over 50% of total earnings generated by in-stream ads for Facebook Live*
21K+ average views per live video**
46 Facebook Live videos in 28 days**
*Facebook internal data.
**Public CrowdTangle data.
Dena Blizzard went from performing in comedy clubs across the United States for a living, to livestreaming on Facebook from home in a matter of days. With in-stream ads for Facebook Live (short video ads and non-interruptive image ads inserted into qualified live videos), she’s been able to earn revenue despite having to take a break from touring.
Dena’s specialty is finding humor in everyday situations, which strongly resonates with her audience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her daily live broadcasts feature quick-witted takes on relatable events happening in her home, giving viewers something hilarious to look forward to every day. In recent months, the topical theme of being trapped at home with loved ones has been serving as a source of sanity and validation for her audience. Facebook sat down with Dena to hear more about her growth with Facebook Live and her experience using in-stream ads.
[Using in-stream ads for Facebook Live] is so easy — I didn’t have to do much after I was onboarded. They automatically come on and it’s the most money I bring in per month.
Q: You’ve been using Facebook for several years now. How has Facebook helped you accomplish your goals?
My goals before February 2020 are very different from what they are now. Three years ago, I looked into ways to monetize on Facebook. I focused on creating content videos. Taped, edited, 3-minute videos. I hired great staff and we posted regularly, but our engagement just wasn’t growing.
It wasn’t until the world stopped that Facebook Live really clicked for me. But my goal wasn't to learn how to make money from this. My goal was to hear someone talk about normal life because I couldn’t watch the news anymore. When I couldn’t find that, I realized there was a need, so I started going live every morning, Monday to Saturday, with my daily show called “One Funny Morning.” The fact that I can now make revenue from this with in-stream ads for Facebook Live makes it so great.
Q: You’ve been using Facebook Live weekly for 4 years and daily in recent months. How has your live video strategy evolved over time? How do you keep viewers engaged throughout your livestreams?
When Facebook Live first came out, I didn’t know much about it. I tried it out one day in 2016. I added a twist to the popular mobile game at the time and called it “Chardonnay Go.” Basically, I ran around my neighborhood, searching for glasses of wine. It went viral with 24M views.
Since then, I’ve been doing “Tipsy Tuesday” live every week to chat with other mothers and wine lovers, which has taught me a lot about what kind of content and structure my audience is interested in. When we first started this show, the first 15–20 minutes of the program were well-attended, then there was a lull, then there was great attendance again 40 minutes in when I’m about to announce the prize winner, and finally a steep drop-off after the winner’s drawn.
Since the pandemic began, I’ve been seeing a more consistent audience for “Tipsy Tuesday,” one without as many lulls. It seems like people are looking for more live entertainment, so I decided to dedicate my focus to live content: Every Monday–Saturday morning, Thursday nights with a fellow comic and Friday evenings with my mother.
With my morning show, “One Funny Morning,” I take a free-form approach and have been seeing minimal drop-off. Whatever’s happening in my house (whether it’s about my partner, my children or myself) is what I’ll talk about that day. I think the spontaneity is the reason why people stick around. Anything can happen at any time — nothing is planned.
Q: You’ve seen success monetizing your videos with in-stream ads for Facebook Live. What drove you to start using the product?
I’ve always felt a little awkward asking my audience for money, so using in-stream ads for Live is perfect for me. It’s so easy — I didn’t have to do much after I was onboarded. They automatically come on and it’s the most money I bring in per month out of all the Facebook monetization tools I use.
[My viewers] would comment excitedly when ads popped up during my live broadcasts, and take pictures of the ads they saw and post them on my Page for me to see. One supporter even said, “if taking 20 seconds to watch a commercial will support your family, then you can play whatever you want!”
Q: How did your audience respond to in-stream ads for Facebook Live?
Overall, it was received really well. I wasn't sure how people would react, but the general response was very supportive. They would comment excitedly when ads popped up during my live broadcasts, and take pictures of the ads they saw and post them on my Page for me to see. One supporter even said, “if taking 20 seconds to watch a commercial will support your family, then you can play whatever you want!” Once in a while, someone new will ask why they’re seeing all these ads and my supporters couldn’t jump in faster to explain why and how the ads help me.
Q: What advice do you have for creators looking to monetize with in-stream ads for Facebook Live?
Educating your community about in-stream ads for Facebook Live is important. I found out that I was eligible to use it a few minutes before going live one day so I told my audience how big of an accomplishment this was for me. I talked to them about what they could expect and what it meant to me and my family that I could monetize my 30–40 hours of live broadcasts every week. Having this conversation made them really receptive to the ads.
In-stream ads for Facebook Live are currently only available to select partners.
