7 Tips to Prepare for Your Upcoming LinkedIn Live Stream

November 18, 2022
Contents

LinkedIn launched in 2003 to become a professional career development platform. Today, LinkedIn has  89.73 million monthly active users! 

The platform has grown to become the largest professional networking platform ever. If you want to look for a job or are a candidate for the job, LinkedIn is the best place to go searching. 

But LinkedIn is not just a place for cold calling; it has become a platform with different content. LinkedIn users publish 2 million posts, articles, and videos every day!

Every business uses LinkedIn to grow its reach and connect with professionals in their fields. 

LinkedIn rolled out LinkedIn Live in 2017. However, even though the feature has enormous potential, it is still underutilized. 

Do you want to know more about LinkedIn Live and how it can help your business? Read on to learn more about it. 

What is LinkedIn Live?

LinkedIn Live is a new feature that allows you to live-stream your videos on LinkedIn. 

It's the perfect way to connect with your audience and invite them to watch you as you share your story.

LinkedIn Live Video is a new way to communicate with customers and potential customers.

It's like a live Q&A session, but it can be about anything—you can use it for customer support, product demos, or anything else you'd like to share.

With LinkedIn Live, you can also give feedback and help others improve their skills as they learn from you.

While LinkedIn Live may be a streaming feature, unlike Twitch or Facebook Live. You need permission to hold LinkedIn Live. 

Benefits of Streaming on LinkedIn Live

What benefits do you get from using LinkedIn live streaming? It's tough to say because there are many different benefits. 

For example, if you're trying to reach a specific audience, you might want to consider using LinkedIn live streaming instead of pre-recorded videos. 

Or maybe you have both types of videos and want them to perform better together than they would individually.

The other thing about LinkedIn Live is that it allows for advanced scheduling, which means that even if someone isn't able to tune in at precisely the right time (which can be tricky sometimes), LinkedIn will still notify them about your live streaming. 

You can send notifications to attendees before the live streaming, which makes the streaming hard to miss.

On top of that, the LinkedIn live stream is an exclusive feature. You need permission to host it. This means the audience knows the value of live streaming on LinkedIn and can trust you — giving you more value to your brand.

LinkedIn Live vs. LinkedIn Events

LinkedIn Live vs. LinkedIn Events

As mentioned earlier in the article, LinkedIn Live is a broadcast tool that lets you stream live videos on LinkedIn.

It helps to drive engagement with your audience. 

But the LinkedIn event is a tool that allows you to deepen your relationships with the target audience through virtual events and networking. 

It is a place to organize, promote, plan and connect for your meetups, online workshops, seminars, and more.

LinkedIn events are ideal for businesses that want to create an interactive experience for their clients, partners, or customers by allowing them to connect in real time with each other and learn about new products, services, and experiences.

LinkedIn Events LinkedIn Live
It is a way to create, host, and join professional events, including live streaming. A tool to conduct live streaming on LinkedIn.
Can organize external and internal events. Can only run internal events.

LinkedIn Live and LinkedIn events are two tools that can boost your visibility on LinkedIn. 

These tools help you reach out to your target audience, build hype for your event, and engage with them. Each of the live events on LinkedIn has roles.

Types of Roles available for Live events What do they do?
Organizer The host of the event is the organizer
Attendee A member who attends the events

Meanwhile, there are two types of LinkedIn events:

Types of Events Definition
In-person events Takes place offline in a venue but get promoted on LinkedIn Events
Online events Takes place online either on LinkedIn or in
an external broadcast location.

Online events on LinkedIn are of two types as well:

  • LinkedIn Live: It is a live streaming event done on the LinkedIn platform by an organizer who has permission to use LinkedIn Live.  
  • External events: A live streaming event is also hosted in an external broadcast location. You must provide a link to an external broadcast location that attendees can use.

Who Qualifies for LinkedIn Live?

Since its launch, the LinkedIn live feature has become a favorite of Marketers(especially B2B marketers). 

But not everyone is allowed to use LinkedIn Live because it is an exclusive tool. LinkedIn is extremely specific about who can use the tool. We have mentioned the LinkedIn Live Criteria below:

  • Should have more than 150 followers or connections( whether you are a member or page)
  • Should have a good standing record on LinkedIn according to the Professional communities policies of LinkedIn
  • Should not be from mainland China(because LinkedIn live is unavailable in China currently)
  • Should have a public profile to facilitate profile review by LinkedIn

Remember, you may meet the criteria, but it doesn't guarantee qualification. When you submit a request, it also does not guarantee acceptance by LinkedIn. So, don't be disheartened if you aren't approved.  

How to Use LinkedIn Live?

LinkedIn's Livestreaming is a gold mine for marketers. This is the tool for you if you're looking for ways to grow your business and engage with your target audience.

The content shared on LinkedIn Live can be used in many different ways. You can use it as a marketing tool or a way to introduce yourself and your products/services. Here is how you can use LinkedIn Live

Review the LinkedIn Live Video Access Criteria

First and foremost, you need to check the LinkedIn Live video access criteria. We have already mentioned it in the article, but here is a quick recap of it: 

  • You need to have more than 150 followers or connections
  • You need to have a good standing record on LinkedIn
  • You need not be from mainland China. 

If you want to know more about it, here are LinkedIn Live video access criteria. 

This will let you know whether you are eligible to use the Live video feature on LinkedIn. 

Submit Your Application

Submit Your Application for linkedin live

To ensure you are ready to stream, you must check if you are eligible. After you have checked the criteria, you can open Create an Event link. 

You'll have many options, from choosing the event type to setting the time. If you are pre-approved for LinkedIn Live, you can select LinkedIn Live in the event format dropdown.

You can also auto-apply for LinkedIn Live video access. Here is how you can do it 

  • Log in to a third-party live stream tool like Vimeo, Wirecast, and the like. 
  • Connect your LinkedIn account to the tool when prompted by adding your credentials
  • Complete the process, and immediately you will be able to know whether you are approved for LinkedIn Live video access.

Choose a Streaming Solution

Next, choose which streaming solution best suits your needs. Two options are hosting an internal event using LinkedIn Live or using a third-party broadcaster. 

The first is to host your private event and invite only people you want to join or use the LinkedIn Live Broadcaster solution. 

With this option, you can offer live video broadcasts to any member of the LinkedIn community who wants to view them. 

The second option is to use third-party broadcasters, who will host your event and broadcast it outside LinkedIn.

We recommend using the web or desktop app for live broadcasting like SocialLive, Streamyard, Switcher Studio, Restream, Wirecast, and Vimeo.

NOTE: LinkedIn Live requires the support of a dedicated streaming solution with RTMP ingest.

Optimize Your Setup

Before you start streaming, ensure everything is working correctly on your end. 

This includes things like your microphone and webcam, as well as any other equipment that might be necessary for streaming properly (such as audio equipment).

Here are some recommendations:

  • Ensure your computer is connected to the internet, so it does not go offline during the broadcast.
  • Have access to an uninterrupted power supply for your computer because there may be times when you need more juice than usual (e.g., if there are technical issues).
  • Test your webcam before starting the broadcast if it's not working correctly or is damaged. 
  • Do an audio test before you go live. Your viewers should be able to hear you clearly when you go live. 

Start Streaming

Once you have set up your live stream, it's time to start streaming. You can quickly begin the stream. 

When you are in the stream, make sure you speak confidently, Be concise and share valuable information with viewers. 

Try interacting with the audience because it builds connections with them. Live streaming on LinkedIn allows you to share about your products and services. 

It's great to get the word out there and create a brand presence.

To stop streaming, you just need to hit the end broadcast button. And you are done!

LinkedIn Live Video Ideas

If you are wondering about what kind of live videos you can host on LinkedIn, here are a few ideas to get you started:

Host a “Fireside Chat”

hosting a fireside chat

"Fireside chat" is a tradition started by Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States. He did radio addresses frequently to interact with the citizens.

You could also channel your inner FDR and host a fireside chat for your team and audience. 

A fireside chat is a live video Q&A with a guest host. The host sits at a desk and talks with the guest about their expertise in business, technology, or other topics. 

The host can answer viewers' questions in real-time, making this LinkedIn live video content especially effective for audience engagement and brand awareness.

Launch Or Demo a New Product

launching a new demo or product on linkedin live

Launching a new product or service must host a live broadcast so everyone can follow along and see how it works. 

This is also an excellent way for potential clients to see your business offers and learn about your products or services.

Attracting new customers is one of the most important aspects of running a business. The best way to do this is by launching new products or services with a live-streamed launch event or through an episode of your regular content series. 

An important note about this tactic is that you want to ensure the audience understands what will happen during this segment so they won't tune out when something unexpected happens.

You can use live video to launch a new product, service, or feature. For example, you could use it to announce new features of your platform, provide training on the product, showcase how it works, or give an overview of the process. 

In addition to the announcement, you could include testimonials from happy customers to help drive traffic and create buzz around your new offering.

Live-stream An Event

If you want to share important announcements like new hires, company milestones, or other newsworthy events with your audience, then hosting an event on LinkedIn Live is the perfect way to do it! 

You can follow along as attendees are streaming their live sessions on LinkedIn Live, making it easy for those who cannot attend in person to stay informed about these critical updates without missing out on anything important. 

Many events are happening every day in which you could use LinkedIn Live video streaming to promote your brand or company.

Some examples include conferences, conventions, expositions, festivals, sporting events, and many more types of events where people gather together in person or online in one place at once

If you're planning an event — a conference, trade show, or another networking opportunity — then live videos are an excellent way to capture as much interest as possible. 

You can also stream classes and workshops during the event so that people who aren't able to attend can still get involved and learn from experts in the industry. 

If you do broadcast a training session for beginners, include links for those who want more detailed information about what's covered during each class session so they can go back later if they want more information after watching one of your videos.

Share A Big Update

Share a big update with customers, prospects, and partners. Share big announcements like a new product or service launch by scheduling a LinkedIn Live video event. 

Everyone in your company can participate by watching and responding to questions from their own devices. 

This allows them to learn more about what you're doing, ask questions and stay involved. 

You'll also be able to promote the event through social media marketing campaigns and other communication channels throughout the week leading up to it.

If you have an important announcement or newsworthy update about your business, consider live-streaming your announcement instead of posting it on social media. 

This can be an excellent opportunity to reach out to your followers and make them aware of what's happening.

Product/Service Walkthroughs

While these might not be as compelling as an interview with someone from your company, they still work well because they show how the product or service works.

Have someone walk through how something works or how your product is made with detailed instructions for users or potential customers who might be interested in what you do as part of your business strategy. 

If you sell furniture, have someone show off their latest designs or explain how they were created with photos so people can understand exactly what they're looking at when they visit your store.

Live streaming allows you to show off your products or services in action when selling products and services. 

You can also share step-by-step instructions on how they work — or even create them! You may even want to include live Q&A sessions with customers who have questions about the product or service.

Conduct Interviews

linkedin live interview

Conducting interviews is another excellent way to get creative with LinkedIn Live videos. You can ask your audience questions like "What do you think about my new website?" or "How do I grow my business?"  

You can also ask more specific questions than those listed above, like "What's one thing we could do better?" or "What are some ways our customers have benefitted from using our products?"

Live interviews are a great way to connect with potential customers interested in what you're doing but haven't yet leaped to buy from you. 

You can do this by conducting interviews with people representing different aspects of your business.

Host an Ask-Me-Anything (AMA)

Host an Ask-Me-Anything (AMA). An AMA is perfect if you have a large audience and want to answer questions from them all at once instead of one by one over time. 

The Ask-Me-Anything (AMA) is a simple, effective way to engage with your audience.

Ask questions, answer questions and make announcements. It's a great way to keep your audience engaged while building trust and rapport with them.

You can use this opportunity to promote yourself or your brand and share knowledge and expertise on specific topics related to your industry or job role. 

Stay On Top Of Trends

Follow what's trending in your industry so you can be aware of any new developments that may impact business decisions in the future.

One of the best ways to use LinkedIn Live, stay ahead of what your audience wants and needs by staying on top of current trends, topics, and events.

This will help you keep their attention and make it easier for them to find what they need. You can also create a series of videos that cover different topics.

Go Behind The Scenes

Take viewers on an inside tour of your company or organization, showing them how it works from day one through production or pre-launch. 

This is an excellent opportunity for people who aren't typically able to get this kind of access to an organization, such as students or young professionals looking for job opportunities.

Make Important Announcements

Announce the latest news about your business or organization and capture the attention of potential customers, students, clients, and others who would benefit from firsthand hearing about your product or service.

You can create a live video stream of your company's press release or announcement and share it through your LinkedIn account. 

This will allow you to ensure that everyone who wants to know about your new product or service has access to it at exactly the right time.

Talent Hiring and Branding

You can host an event for talent hiring and branding on LinkedIn Live. This is a great way to showcase your company culture and how it attracts top talent.

You could even interview candidates in front of an audience through video calling. This will allow them to feel more involved in the process and offer an opportunity for follow-up questions.

Don't be afraid to experiment. Being open to new ideas and not scared to try something different is essential. The key is always to be aware of what your audience wants and ensure you deliver it in a way that fits their needs.

Tips for Success: Best Practices for LinkedIn Live

Stay Engaged

The first step to having a great LinkedIn live event is to stay engaged during the event. 

This means answering questions, engaging with the group, and giving your best answers to questions. 

It also means staying up-to-date on what's happening in your industry or community so that you can answer questions related to that topic. 

If you want to take it a step further, ask attendees to share their experiences from similar events.

Come Prepared

Another vital way to ensure the success of your LinkedIn live event is by coming prepared with an outline of topics that you want to cover during the event. 

This will help keep things organized and ensure everyone knows what needs to be covered at each point. 

You can even include some "pre-interview questions" for potential interviewees, so they know what type of questions are coming up during the event (and can get ready beforehand).

Follow The Guidelines

 Don't deviate from the subject matter or content your host or event organizer set up. 

If you are asked to speak on a specific topic, stick within that topic area and keep things interesting for your audience.

You must also follow the LinkedIn guidelines and be professional in your Live sessions. 

Optimize Your LinkedIn Presence

Optimizing your profile before going live is vital to ensure that it looks great when other people visit your profile and see what you have going on! 

You can also use features like previewing your profile to see how your profile will look in real time before going live with an audience of potential employers or clients.

Choose a Unique Topic

As with any online event, choosing an exciting topic will ensure that people will want to tune in. 

This could mean choosing a topic that interests you or is relevant to your industry but make sure it's interesting enough to keep people engaged during the entire session. 

Include a Stellar CTA

A great call-to-action (CTA) is crucial if you want to increase conversions from your audience, so make sure yours is compelling and concise! 

A great example of a CTA would be, "Join me on September 4th at 9 p.m. EST for more tips and tricks on LinkedIn Live" — this gives people clear instructions on what they need to do next. 

You could also guide them to your social media pages or product links. It ensures conversion and monetizes your efforts. 

Set a Schedule

If you want to ensure your audience pays attention, set up your schedule. Please don't wait for a date, and then wing it!

Be sure to plan how long each section of your presentation will be and what time each segment will start and end. 

You don't want to fall behind on time and let the audience bail on you (or worse, go home). Ensure you have the right amount of time allotted for each segment and avoid rushing through it.

Promote Your LinkedIn Content

Before starting your live session, ensure you have read any relevant blog posts or other content. 

You don't want to waste time talking about something that doesn't interest your audience or isn't relevant at all!

Also, it's best to include an image/link from your most recent blog post or video, so people don't need to search for it on their own later.

FAQs: LinkedIn Live Tips

What is the best time to do a LinkedIn live?

The best time to stream LinkedIn live sessions are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m.–noon and Wednesdays from 9 a.m.–2 p.m., so it's not too late for professionals to join you. 

How do you do LinkedIn live?

You can set up a live session on LinkedIn by using LinkedIn events. You will need to create an account with LinkedIn first, then check whether you are eligible to use the Live streaming feature. Once you have permission, you can create a live event on LinkedIn.

Is LinkedIn Live still a thing?

LinkedIn Live lets you learn more about your target audience by connecting with them in real time via video conferencing.

You can also ask questions, get feedback, or simply connect with other professionals who are interested in your business and others who may have similar interests and goals as yours! So, yes, LinkedIn Live is still a thing.

Conclusion: LinkedIn live tips

More and more companies are now using this to attract their audience's attention.

LinkedIn Live is a great way to do something exceptional for those who are looking beyond what your profile says and want to know more.

You can launch a live event on a specific day and time and start being part of your clients' professional life. 

Whether you answer questions, tell them how you work, or help them overcome an obstacle, you are taking them on a journey of discovery. Professionals love using LinkedIn Live because it's authentic, engaging, and fun!

Written By
Ankita

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