LinkedIn is a great platform for building your professional network and sharing relevant content. One useful feature is the ability to live stream video, allowing you to broadcast events, presentations, talks, and more to your connections.
Overview of Live Video on LinkedIn
Live streaming on LinkedIn allows you to broadcast real-time video to your network. It’s an easy way to share an event, lecture, Q&A, or other video content. Your viewers can react and comment while watching the live stream.
Here are some key things to know about LinkedIn live streaming:
- Live videos appear at the top of followers’ feeds while you’re streaming.
- Followers receive notifications when you go live if they have notifications enabled.
- Viewers can react and comment on the video in real time.
- Videos can also be shared via links after you finish streaming.
- LinkedIn automatically converts streamed videos into native videos on your profile after you finish.
- Analytics provide insight into views, comments, reactions, and more.
Overall, live streaming serves as an engaging way to create real-time connections with your professional network on LinkedIn.
Who Can Live Stream on LinkedIn?
Currently, LinkedIn live streaming is available to users with a LinkedIn profile and who meet the following requirements:
- Your account must be public and cannot be private.
- You need to have at least 150 connections in your network.
- Your account must be at least 30 days old.
As long as your account fulfills those requirements, you can start broadcasting live. LinkedIn is rolling out the capability to more users over time too.
Steps for Live Streaming on LinkedIn
Once your account is eligible, here are the main steps to go live on LinkedIn:
- Open the LinkedIn mobile app on your iOS or Android device. Live streaming is not yet available on LinkedIn’s desktop site.
- Tap on the “Write an article” icon from your LinkedIn home feed.
- A menu will pop up – select “Video” instead of article.
- You can now go live by tapping the “Go Live” button.
- Allow LinkedIn access to your phone’s microphone and camera when prompted.
- Tap “Start Live Video.” You’ll see a 3 second countdown before you officially go live.
- Interact with viewers and monitor comments as you broadcast.
- When finished, tap “End” to stop the live stream.
- After ending, you can tap “Done” to publish the video to your profile.
It’s quick and easy to tap into LinkedIn’s live streaming capabilities right from your phone. Be sure to test your audio, lighting, and connection first.
Tips for Successful LinkedIn Live Streams
Follow these tips to create compelling live videos that engage your professional network on LinkedIn:
- Promote your live stream in advance. Let your connections know the topic and time so they can tune in live.
- Check your setup and internet connection. Test your equipment and streaming quality before going live.
- Interact with viewers in real time. Answer questions, highlight comments, and encourage reactions.
- Keep it short and focused. Live streams under 20 minutes tend to perform the best.
- Enhance the production value. Consider camera positioning, lighting, and adding graphics if relevant.
- Re-share the video after. Download and repost your live stream to maximize viewers.
With some planning and practice, you can create live LinkedIn videos that engage your professional network in new ways. Track performance data and refine based on what performs best.
Live Streaming Use Cases on LinkedIn
Here are some examples of what you can live stream on LinkedIn to boost your personal brand and reach your target audience:
- Conference keynotes and presentations
- Interviews or panel discussions
- Q&A sessions
- Behind-the-scenes events
- Industry announcements
- Virtual workshops or training
- Product launches or demos
- Company meetings and town halls
The visual nature and real-time engagement of live video is a versatile tool for thought leaders, executives, event organizers, coaches, recruiters, and more on LinkedIn.
Live Streaming for Events
If you’re hosting a conference, seminar, or other professional event, live streaming gives you a powerful channel to broadcast content and expand your reach.
You can live stream:
- Keynote speeches from featured presenters.
- Panels and group discussions.
- Interviews with speakers or VIPs.
- Breakout sessions or workshops.
- Award ceremonies.
- Q&A sessions with attendees.
Encourage event attendees to share and interact with the live stream as well. This allows you to engage both in-person and virtual audiences.
Thought Leadership and Personal Branding
For individuals focused on thought leadership, live streaming is an opportunity to showcase your expertise. You can stream industry commentary, professional tips, behind-the-scenes insights, Q&As, and more.
Consistent live streaming establishes you as an authority voice within your niche. It also helps humanize your brand and make connections on a more personal level.
Live Streaming Software and Tools
In addition to LinkedIn’s built-in streaming capabilities, you may want to use other programs and tools to enhance your live videos. Here are some options:
Encoders
An encoder takes your video/audio source and converts it into a streamable digital format. Popular encoder software options include:
- OBS Studio – Free and open source encoder software.
- Wirecast – Paid streaming production software from Telestream.
- Switcher Studio – Mobile live streaming production app.
- Ecamm Live – Encoder app designed for Mac users.
Webcams
Having a quality webcam improves your video quality and production value. Some top webcams for live streaming include:
- Logitech C920S HD Pro – Excellent image quality and low light performance.
- Razer Kiyo – Great for streaming thanks to its ring light.
- Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 – Budget option under $50.
- Mevo Start – Pocket-sized webcam with live editing features.
Microphones
A dedicated external microphone helps ensure your audio sounds clear and professional. Good mic options for streaming include:
- Blue Yeti – Versatile and popular USB microphone.
- Samson G-Track Pro – Affordable condenser microphone.
- Shure MV7 – Hybrid XLR/USB dynamic microphone.
- Rode Wireless Go – Portable wireless microphone system.
Lighting
Proper lighting eliminates shadows and makes you clearly visible. Lighting for live streams can include:
- Ring lights – Provide even lighting directly on your face.
- LED panels – Diffuse wider soft lighting.
- Light stands – Position and adjust lights.
- Reflectors – Bounce and fill natural lighting.
With the right tools, you can set up a professional live streaming production system using LinkedIn’s built-in capabilities.
LinkedIn Live Streaming Guidelines
When streaming on LinkedIn, it’s important to follow their community guidelines. Violating LinkedIn’s policies could lead to your video being removed or your account being restricted. Here are some key guidelines to follow:
- Don’t share false information, scams, or clickbait-y content.
- Avoid hate speech, bullying, harassment, or other abusive content.
- Don’t violate copyrights or share unauthorized content.
- Keep nudity, sexually explicit content, or graphic violence off platform.
- Don’t promote illegal activity or share content leading to harm.
- Respect viewer privacy and don’t overshare personal information.
In general, focus on sharing high-quality professional content relevant to your industry and network. Keep your live videos inclusive, authentic, and safe for work.
Measuring LinkedIn Live Stream Performance
To assess the effectiveness of your LinkedIn live streams, monitor these key performance metrics:
- Live views – Number of people who watched your video live.
- Comments – Volume of comments from viewers during the stream.
- Reactions – Likes, claps, wows, etc. from your live audience.
- Shares – How many people shared or reposted your live video.
- Post-live views – Views of the natively converted video after streaming.
- Follower growth – Increased followers resulting from your stream.
Compare metrics across your different live streams to see what topics, times, lengths, and formats perform best. Use these insights to continually refine and improve.
Conclusion
Live streaming on LinkedIn is a powerful way to engage and connect with your professional network in real time. It helps build thought leadership, showcase events, generate insights, and humanize your brand.
To go live, use LinkedIn’s mobile broadcasting capabilities. Promote your stream in advance, refine your setup and production, and interact with your audience. Follow LinkedIn’s guidelines and monitor performance metrics.
With compelling live content and an engaging style, you can build a loyal viewing audience on LinkedIn around your streams. Live video allows you to have conversations at scale and develop meaningful relationships with your community.