Yes, it is possible to livestream on LinkedIn. LinkedIn introduced live video streaming in 2016 to allow users to broadcast real-time video content to their connections and followers on the platform. Livestreaming on LinkedIn can be a useful tool for businesses, organizations, and influencers to engage their audiences and share valuable content in an interactive format.
How Does Livestreaming Work on LinkedIn?
The process of going live on LinkedIn is relatively straightforward for those with access to the live video broadcasting tool:
Step 1: Enable Live Video Broadcasting
First, you need to enable live video broadcasting in your LinkedIn account settings. This gives you access to the LinkedIn Live streaming interface and tools. LinkedIn is rolling out live video access gradually, so you may be on a waitlist before you can start broadcasting.
Step 2: Create Live Broadcast Content
With access enabled, you can now create live video content to stream. This works similarly to creating a regular LinkedIn post. You add a title, description, tags, etc to give viewers context about your broadcast.
Step 3: Go Live
When ready to broadcast, simply hit the “Go Live” button in your LinkedIn post update screen. This will launch the live video broadcast. You can broadcast directly from your phone camera or from streaming software on your computer.
Step 4: Manage Your Broadcast
Once live, you can monitor viewers, comments, and reactions in real-time as you broadcast. This allows you to interact with your audience. You can also control settings like enabling/disabling comments.
Step 5: End Broadcast
To end your LinkedIn livestream, simply hit the “Stop Streaming” button. This will conclude your broadcast and save the video to be replayed later as an archived video by anyone who missed it.
Who Can Livestream on LinkedIn?
Currently, LinkedIn is limiting livestreaming access to the following groups:
- Company Pages with over 10 employees
- LinkedIn Groups with over 50,000 members
- LinkedIn Events hosted on the platform
- Select LinkedIn creators and influencers
So regular personal profiles generally can’t go live. But if you have a Company Page or manage a large LinkedIn Group, you may have access. LinkedIn says they plan to gradually make live video available to more members over time.
Benefits of Livestreaming on LinkedIn
There are several potential benefits to broadcasting live on LinkedIn for your business or brand:
Increased Engagement
Live video is highly engaging. Real-time broadcasting lets you interact directly with your target audience and followers. Viewers can join in the conversation via live comments and reactions. This builds a connection.
Thought Leadership & Credibility
Live video allows you to share your expertise in real-time. This builds trust and thought leadership for your brand when done right. Viewers get insight directly from you.
Reach New Audiences
Your live broadcast can gain wider exposure and viewership beyond just your current connections. LinkedIn promotes active live videos to wider audiences interested in your content.
Lead Generation
You can use livestreaming as a platform for lead generation. Engage viewers with your broadcast, then direct them to take an action like signing up for your email list, purchasing a product, or contacting sales.
Brand Awareness
With strong, useful content and promotion, your livestreams can capture new audiences and spread brand awareness to potential new customers.
Best Practices For LinkedIn Livestreaming
To maximize the impact of your LinkedIn live broadcasts, keep these best practices in mind:
Promote Your Broadcast in Advance
Don’t spring a livestream on your audience last minute. Promote it in advance across your LinkedIn Company Page, Groups, with employees, etc. Build anticipation and awareness.
Keep Viewers Engaged
Monitor the broadcast comments and reactions. Respond to viewer questions and concerns. Keep them captivated throughout the entire stream.
Produce Professional Quality Streams
Invest in quality equipment like cameras, microphones, and lighting to deliver a polished stream. Poor video/audio will lose viewers.
Embed Relevant CTAs
Sprinkle clear calls-to-action at strategic points in your broadcast to drive desired outcomes, like visiting your website, contacting sales, signing up for a promotion, etc.
Repurpose Your Streams
Save an archive of your broadcasts and snip segments to reuse as standalone social videos or embed in blog posts. Extend the value.
Collaborate With Other Creators
Go live and interview partners, industry influencers, clients/customers, or employees. Bring on co-hosts. This makes the stream more dynamic.
Popular Types of LinkedIn Live Content
What should you actually broadcast about? Consider these popular live video themes and topics:
Behind-the-Scenes
Give live “behind-the-scenes” access to your actual business operations, workflows, office, etc. Inside access builds trust.
Product Demos
Showcase your products/services in action via a live demo. The interactive format lets you answer audience questions on features.
Events & Conferences
Unable to attend an industry conference or corporate event? Broadcast select sessions, speeches, or panels live to your audience.
Webinars & Presentations
Convert pre-recorded webinars and slide presentations into a live broadcast. Deliver your content in a more compelling format.
Interviews & Panels
Host a live interview or group chat with thought leaders, partners, or employees. Great way to engage your network.
Q&As
Spend a live session just responding to burning questions from your LinkedIn followers in real-time. Create an AMA (ask me anything) vibe.
Breaking News & Announcements
Share company news, product launches, milestone achievements, etc via live broadcast. Create momentum and buzz.
LinkedIn Live Video Streaming Tools
To maximize the quality and capabilities of your LinkedIn livestreams, leverage these helpful software tools and services:
Tool | Features |
---|---|
LinkedIn Streaming Software | LinkedIn’s own built-in studio for live broadcasts from your desktop. Lets you stream directly or via 3rd party encoding tools. |
Wirecast | Robust live production software from Telestream for multi-camera broadcasting and studio-grade streams. |
VMix | All-in-one live video production software with switching, overlays, virtual sets, and more for professional streams. |
StreamYard | Web-based streaming studio allowing easy professional live streams with guests, screen sharing, logos, and more. |
Livestream Studio | High-quality live broadcast production platform from Livestream. Includes cloud-based acquisition and graphics. |
OBS Studio | Free, open source software for live streaming and recording. Enables custom scenes, transitions, overlays, and configs. |
Restream | Service that enables streaming to multiple platforms simultaneously, including LinkedIn live. |
Pro-level tools like Wirecast, vMix, and Livestream Studio offer capabilities like multi-camera production, dynamic transitions, built-in graphics/titles, encoding, cloud-based workflows and more to take your LinkedIn live streams to the next level. Free tools like OBS Studio and StreamYard provide more basic easy-to-use functionality. And Restream lets you broadcast to LinkedIn plus other platforms at the same time.
LinkedIn Live Streaming Requirements
To achieve the best results with your LinkedIn live videos, adhere to these technical streaming requirements:
Internet Connection Speed
LinkedIn recommends a sustained upload internet speed of at least 3-5Mbps for 720p streaming, and 8-10Mbps for full 1080p HD streaming quality. Hardwired ethernet is most reliable vs WiFi.
Encoder Settings
It’s best to stream at 720p resolution minimum at 30fps, up to 1080p at 30fps max. Use a video bitrate between 1.5-4Mbps for 720p, up to 6Mbps for 1080p.
Audio Quality
Use a dedicated USB microphone or XLR mic with audio interface for clear audio. Don’t rely on built-in webcam mics. Level audio between -6dB to -10dB maximum.
Lighting
Well-lit streams look far more professional. Use soft key, fill, and back lights to illuminate yourself and your background. Avoid harsh lighting.
Camera & Composition
The camera should be eye level and tight on your face/upper body. Don’t cut off your head. Use the rule of thirds for framing. Look into the camera when speaking.
Background
Stage an interesting but professional background related to your industry and brand. Or leverage a green screen with custom virtual backgrounds.
How to Increase LinkedIn Live Viewership
The most polished, professional live video only matters if people actually watch it. Use these tips to maximize viewership of your LinkedIn live broadcasts:
Promote Across LinkedIn Touchpoints
Post about your upcoming broadcasts on your Company Page, Groups, profile, hashtags, etc. Ask employees and partners to help promote your streams too.
Promote Outside LinkedIn
Market your streams on your other social channels like Facebook, Twitter, etc. Email subscribers, website visitors, and existing customer lists.
Tag Relevant Accounts in Posts
When sharing posts about your livestreams, strategically tag relevant Company Pages, Groups, employees, or industry influencers to expand visibility.
Post Frequently
Consistent livestreaming builds audience expectation and engagement over time. Don’t just go live once in a while or views will be low.
Run Lead Generation Promotions/Contests
Encourage viewership by offering special discounts, giveaways, lead magnets, etc. to watch and engage with your live broadcast.
Repurpose Stream Recaps
Edit key highlights, takeaways, or segments from past streams into short snackable videos to promote upcoming broadcasts.
Collaborate With Influencers
Invite industry thought leaders, partners, or relevant influencers to guest host or co-host your livestreams and tap into their audiences.
LinkedIn Live Video streaming Use Cases
Here are some specific examples and ideas to leverage livestreaming effectively on LinkedIn:
HR/Leadership Internal Broadcasts
Company leaders can stream live company meetings, town halls, Q&As, strategy roll-outs, major announcements, etc. to remote employees. Creates transparency and connection.
Spotlight Employee Stories
Interview long-time team members, emerging stand-out employees, or new hires live on camera. Lets you highlight your people and culture.
Remote Conference Coverage
Unable to attend or exhibit at an industry conference due to travel or costs? Report live from a remote hub on keynotes, product news, insights, etc.
Introduce New Offerings
Livestream the official unveiling of your latest products, service offerings, content series, events, etc. Build hype.
Case Study Discussions
Review and analyze real customer use cases and success stories live on air. Put your solutions in action.
AMAs
Host frequent informal live AMA (Ask Me Anything) broadcasts for followers to interact directly and get their pressing questions answered.
Partner Collaborations
Go live with technology, channel, or integration partners to showcase your collective solutions working together for customers.
Tips for Quality LinkedIn Livestreams
Follow these tips to deliver high-quality and engaging live broadcasts on LinkedIn that represent you and your brand well:
- Test your setup and internet connection thoroughly pre-stream
- Frame shots properly and use professional lighting
- Balance conversational but professional tone
- Engage and react to viewer comments in real-time
- Have water nearby to avoid vocal cracks
- Avoid distracting filler words like “um” and “like”
- Watch playback and refine based on what engages audience
- Repurpose portions into future social/blog content
With compelling content and an interactive format, LinkedIn Live streaming enables you to engage audiences in an authentic way that drives awareness and business impact when executed successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions About LinkedIn Live
Here are answers to some common FAQs around livestreaming on LinkedIn:
How long can a LinkedIn Live video be?
LinkedIn currently supports live videos up to 4 hours in length. Most effective broadcasts tend to run 15-45 minutes though.
Can I go live on LinkedIn from my phone?
Yes, LinkedIn supports livestreaming directly from iOS and Android smartphones via the mobile app. Simply tap “Go Live” to broadcast.
Do I need special streaming software?
You can stream directly from the LinkedIn interface on desktop and mobile without any additional software. But standalone tools like OBS Studio or Wirecast give you more production control and flexibility.
Is there a size limit for LinkedIn live videos?
There are no file size limits imposed on LinkedIn live videos. The length just depends how long you stream for.
Can I save my LinkedIn livestreams?
LinkedIn automatically saves your live broadcasts for replay later as regular video posts on your profile and Page. You can also download backups.
How do I get viewers for my livestream?
Promote your broadcast extensively across your LinkedIn touchpoints and external marketing channels beforehand to build awareness and drive viewers. Engage influencer collaborations when possible too.
Can I delete or edit my LinkedIn live video?
Just like regular videos, you can not edit a livestream after broadcasting on LinkedIn. But you can delete the archived video replay if needed. You lose the views however.
Will my live video show up in search on LinkedIn?
Like other content, LinkedIn displays live videos in search results by relevance like keyword tags, matching business name, etc. But they don’t get preferential search treatment.
Conclusion
Livestreaming represents a highly engaging, transparent way to reach audiences on LinkedIn in real-time. To maximize the business impact, brands must go live consistently with polished and thoughtful content, engage audiences during broadcasts, and repurpose streams into future video and written content. Used strategically as part of your overall LinkedIn and social media mix, livestreaming can help grow your brand authority, awareness, leads, and sales.