Going live on LinkedIn is a great way to engage with your professional network and share your expertise. LinkedIn Live allows you to broadcast live video to your connections right from your LinkedIn profile. This gives you a platform to share thoughts, ideas, and insights in real-time.
One common question is whether you can go live on LinkedIn using a third-party streaming platform like Zoom. The short answer is yes, you can use Zoom to live stream to LinkedIn. However, it requires a few extra steps compared to native LinkedIn Live video.
In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know to broadcast Zoom video webinars and meetings directly to LinkedIn. We’ll cover:
- The benefits of streaming to LinkedIn through Zoom
- What you need to get set up
- Step-by-step instructions to connect Zoom and LinkedIn
- Best practices for engagement and success
Let’s dive in!
The Benefits of Streaming to LinkedIn via Zoom
There are a few key advantages to using Zoom to live stream to LinkedIn rather than LinkedIn’s built-in broadcasting tools:
Leverage Zoom’s robust platform
Zoom is an industry leader in video conferencing and webinars. The platform makes it easy to manage video/audio settings, share screens, bring on panelists, and engage attendees with built-in Q&A and chat features. For more professional, polished broadcasting, Zoom is a great pick.
Stream to multiple platforms simultaneously
With Zoom, you can live stream your event not only to LinkedIn but also to other platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter at the same time. This expands your reach and allows you to leverage multiple networks from one Zoom broadcast.
No time limit
LinkedIn Live videos are capped at 20 minutes. But with Zoom, you can stream much longer webinars or events with no cutoff. This is ideal for workshops, seminars, or other long-form speaking engagements.
Analyze viewing data
Zoom provides detailed analytics on your live streams so you can see how many people attended, peak concurrent viewers, average watch time, and more. LinkedIn does not make this video performance data available.
What You Need to Get Set Up
To go live from Zoom to LinkedIn, you need the following:
A LinkedIn Company Page
LinkedIn Live video can only be broadcast from Company Pages, not personal profiles. So the first step is making sure you have an established Company Page with a decent number of followers. This will be your broadcast hub on LinkedIn.
A LinkedIn account with publishing access
To stream live video on LinkedIn, you need an account that’s listed as an Admin or Editor for your Company Page. Make sure you have publishing permissions enabled ahead of time.
The Zoom application
Download and install the latest version of the Zoom desktop or mobile app. You’ll use this to host and broadcast your live event. A free Zoom account works, but a paid Pro account unlocks extra features.
A streaming platform like Restream
To connect Zoom and LinkedIn for multicasting, you need a streaming service like Restream. This acts as the bridge between platforms. Restream provides a streaming key you’ll need to configure broadcasting.
Step-by-Step Setup Instructions
Once you have all the prerequisites ready, follow these steps to get up and running:
Step 1: Set up streaming on Restream
– Create a Restream account and log into the dashboard. Add LinkedIn as one of your “Destinations” by connecting your LinkedIn Company Page.
– Add Zoom as a Source. Follow the prompts to connect your Zoom account.
– In Settings, generate a Stream Key. This is the code that links Restream to your Zoom broadcast.
Step 2: Configure the Zoom App
– In the Zoom desktop app, open the Settings menu and select the Streaming option.
– Check the box to enable Live Streaming. Enter the Restream Stream Key when prompted.
– You can choose custom streaming settings like layout, quality, etc. Make sure to Save before exiting the Zoom settings.
Step 3: Start the Live Stream
– Initiate a Zoom meeting or webinar as usual from the main Zoom menu.
– Make sure Live Streaming is enabled by clicking More -> Live on Custom Live Streaming Service.
– Your Zoom event is now being streamed directly to your LinkedIn Company Page through Restream! Monitor the broadcast and engage with viewers.
Step 4: Share the Live Video Post
– Once you end the live stream on Zoom, there will be a new LinkedIn video post on your Company Page.
– Edit this post to add a compelling caption, tags, etc.
– Share the post proactively with your followers by posting a link on your personal LinkedIn profile, group pages, etc.
Best Practices for Success
To maximize your reach and engagement with LinkedIn Live video through Zoom, keep these tips in mind:
Promote your event ahead of time
Get the word out on LinkedIn, Twitter, and elsewhere. Send calendar invites or messages to your connections. Give people time to schedule your live stream.
Test your setup thoroughly
Do several trial runs first without going live. Confirm your video, audio, screen sharing, etc. are working properly across both platforms.
Engage your viewers in real time
Pause for Q&A sessions, ask viewers to comment with feedback, respond to questions in the chat, and keep people actively involved.
Keep an eye on analytics
Track viewer count, peak times, drop-off rates, and rewatch data. Use this intel to refine your approach for next time.
Repurpose your video content
Download the LinkedIn video post and reuse it across other marketing channels after the live stream. Promote it in your newsletter, website, etc.
Conclusion
Zoom provides a scalable, flexible platform for live streaming professional video content directly to your LinkedIn audience. With just a few steps, you can broadcast Zoom webinars, presentations, Q&As and more to your Company Page.
The key is leveraging a multicasting service like Restream to sync the platforms. From driving awareness to monitoring analytics, make sure to follow best practices when going live. Used strategically, Zoom plus LinkedIn is a powerful combination for engaging your professional network.
Platform | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
LinkedIn Live | Native broadcasting tools built into LinkedIn | Limited to 20 minutes per broadcast |
Zoom + Restream | Stream to multiple platforms simultaneously | Requires more setup steps |
Related Questions
Can I go live on LinkedIn without 1,000 followers?
No, LinkedIn requires your Company Page to have at least 1,000 followers before you can activate LinkedIn Live video. This threshold ensures you have a sizable audience for broadcasting. If your page doesn’t have enough followers yet, focus on attracting more connections organically over time by sharing valuable content.
What equipment do I need to live stream on LinkedIn?
At minimum, you need a laptop or smartphone, a webcam (built-in or external), and a microphone. For higher production value, consider extras like lighting, audio interfaces, multi-camera setups, and software like OBS or Wirecast. But simpler webcam streams work fine too. Focus on quality content over fancy gear.
Can I embed a live stream into a LinkedIn post?
No, LinkedIn does not allow embedding third-party live streams directly into posts currently. The only option is to go live natively using LinkedIn’s streaming tools or sync platforms like Zoom with Restream. You cannot embed streams from YouTube, Facebook, Periscope, etc.
Is there a way to stream slides or screenshare on LinkedIn Live?
Yes – LinkedIn Live has built-in screen sharing capabilities. When you initiate a broadcast, there is the option to share your full desktop screen or a specific open window. Many third-party streaming apps also allow screensharing as part of a multicasted event.
Can I save my LinkedIn Live videos to rewatch later?
LinkedIn automatically saves your live stream videos to the Video tab of your Company Page once the broadcast ends. Followers can rewatch for up to 10 days before the videos are removed. You can also download the videos manually to store outside of LinkedIn.