LinkedIn first introduced audio events in April 2021 as a new way for creators to engage with their professional community on the platform. Audio events allow LinkedIn members to host live conversations focused on career advice, industry discussions, and more. The feature was rolled out gradually starting in April and became available to all members globally by October 2021.
What are LinkedIn audio events?
LinkedIn audio events are live, interactive audio conversations that creators can host directly within the LinkedIn platform. They provide a way for creators to connect with their followers in real-time using just audio. Audio events can accommodate unlimited listeners and also include a text chat feature so the audience can interact during the live event.
Audio events are designed to enable professionals to share their expertise, build their brand, and engage with their community in a new format on LinkedIn. Creators can host audio events centered around career advice, professional skills coaching, industry trends and analysis, Q&As, networking opportunities, and more.
As live audio conversations, audio events create an intimate and conversational atmosphere between the host and audience. They provide a way for creators to form deeper connections with their followers on LinkedIn.
Why did LinkedIn launch audio events?
There are a few key reasons why LinkedIn decided to launch audio events:
- To keep up with the rise in popularity of audio formats – With the growth in podcasts and social audio apps like Clubhouse, audio has become an increasingly popular way for people to engage online. LinkedIn wanted to allow its users to connect through this popular medium.
- To enable creators to interact with audiences in new ways – Audio events give LinkedIn creators and influencers a unique way to engage with their professional community. They can share insights, host Q&As, and network in a live, conversational format.
- To create more engaging content experiences – As opposed to static text and pre-recorded video, live audio events create a more interactive and engaging content experience for both the host and audience.
- To differentiate the platform – Audio events help LinkedIn stand out from other social networks by offering a new format native to the platform. It makes LinkedIn a destination not just for text and video content, but for live audio conversations.
Overall, audio events help position LinkedIn on the cutting edge of digital engagement, while enabling new opportunities for creators on the platform.
When did LinkedIn first launch audio events?
LinkedIn began rolling out audio events gradually in April 2021. The feature was made available across all markets globally by October 2021.
Here is a timeline of key dates for the launch of LinkedIn audio events:
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| April 2021 | LinkedIn announces audio events and begins limited beta testing in the US |
| May 2021 | Audio events beta expands to more members in the US |
| June 2021 | Audio events expands to Australia, Brazil, Canada, and India |
| July 2021 | Audio events becomes available across Europe |
| September 2021 | Audio events rolls out in Japan |
| October 2021 | Audio events launches globally to all LinkedIn members |
As we can see from the timeline, LinkedIn took a phased approach to rolling out audio events on its platform. It began with a limited beta test, then expanded regionally over the next several months before finally launching the feature globally in October 2021.
How can LinkedIn members create audio events?
Any LinkedIn member can now create and host live audio events directly within the LinkedIn platform. Here are the steps to create your own audio event on LinkedIn:
- Go to the “Write an article” page on LinkedIn
- Select the option to “Create an audio event”
- Give your audio event a title and description
- Set a date and time for your event
- Promote your event by sharing on your LinkedIn profile and to your network
- At the scheduled time, start your audio event broadcast and present live to your audience!
LinkedIn audio events support up to 4 hosts at one time and up to 100,000 attendees. As the host, you can engage with attendees through the text chat and by taking live audience questions.
Audio events can also be recorded and archived to be replayed later as on-demand audio. This allows you to maximize the impact of your professional insights even after the live event concludes.
What types of audio events are popular on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn members are hosting diverse, creative audio events aligned to professional interests across all industries. Here are some of the most popular types of audio events on the platform so far:
- Career and leadership advice: Coaching and mentorship around career growth, leadership skills, workplace challenges, and more
- Industry discussions: Trends, analysis, and commentary related to specific industries and sectors
- Professional tips: Actionable tips and best practices for boosting productivity, wellness, and success as a professional
- Behind-the-scenes access: Interviews and insider access with executives, influencers, and leaders
- Networking events: Opportunities to meet and connect with other professionals
- Diversity, equity and inclusion: Conversations to cultivate understanding, empower underrepresented groups, and promote DEI
From career coaches to tech executives to DEI experts, LinkedIn members are leveraging audio events to share valuable professional insights with global audiences.
What has been the initial reception to audio events on LinkedIn?
In the months since first launching, audio events have seen strong initial adoption and engagement on LinkedIn. Here are some key stats on how audio events have performed so far:
- Over 1 million audio events were hosted on LinkedIn within the first 3 months of launch
- LinkedIn creators hosting consistently high listener turnout for events, often reaching 500+ live attendees
- High levels of engagement, with hosts having meaningful conversations and interactions with audiences
- 87% of members surveyed said they prefer consuming audio content in short increments, making audio events a convenient format
- Low barriers to entry and setup have enabled wide range of members to readily host events
The reception for audio events from both hosts and audiences has been very positive. LinkedIn members are finding value in the conversational, interactive format to engage with professional communities about shared interests and goals.
How do audio events benefit LinkedIn members?
There are a number of benefits LinkedIn members can achieve by participating in audio events, either as a host or audience member:
- For creators: Build your brand and reach new audiences by sharing insights; get real-time feedback and engagement with your community
- For professionals: Gain valuable career advice and skills; connect and network with peers and leaders in your industry
- For brands/organizations: Increase visibility and thought leadership; humanize your brand by engaging audiences conversationally
- For all: Exchange ideas, learn from diverse perspectives, find mentorship opportunities
Audio events provide a way for the LinkedIn community to start meaningful conversations, build connections, and support one another in reaching professional goals.
What is the future outlook for LinkedIn audio events?
Looking ahead, LinkedIn is likely to continue expanding and enhancing audio events on its platform. Here are some potential developments we may see:
- Adding tools for hosts to monetize events through tickets, subscriptions, or payouts
- Integrating audio events with LinkedIn Pages for branded event experiences
- Launching an audio event discovery page to browse upcoming events
- Introducing audio networking rooms for smaller group conversations
- Supporting video broadcasts alongside audio events
- Expanding to new interactive event formats like AMAs, polls, and debates
As audio events continue gaining traction, LinkedIn will likely invest more in the format and make it an increasingly core part of the platform experience. Audio presents creative opportunities to engage professionals that aligns closely with LinkedIn’s mission.
Conclusion
The launch of audio events on LinkedIn in 2021 has opened up new possibilities for professionals on the platform to connect and interact. Live audio conversations create a more intimate, conversational environment to exchange ideas, insights, and advice compared to traditional social media. As LinkedIn continues improving the audio events feature, it has the potential to become a very popular way for LinkedIn members to engage with influential voices and like-minded communities.
