LinkedIn Live events allow you to virtually attend events, listen to speakers, network, and more – all without leaving your desk. Attending LinkedIn Live events can help you stay up-to-date on industry topics, connect with new people, and boost your professional brand. Here’s a step-by-step guide to attending a LinkedIn Live event.
Finding LinkedIn Live Events
The first step is finding events that interest you. There are a few ways to discover upcoming LinkedIn Live events:
- Visit the LinkedIn Events page – This hub lists all upcoming events you can register for. It’s the easiest way to see what’s happening soon.
- Check your notifications – LinkedIn will notify you of events you might like based on your profile and interests. Check your notifications tab.
- Look for event ads – You may see ads for events sprinkled throughout your LinkedIn feed. Click “Interested” on any that catch your eye.
- Search by keywords – Try searching for terms like “live event” or keywords related to your industry. Filter by “Events” to see relevant matches.
- Follow brands/groups – If there’s a company or group hosting events you want to attend, follow their LinkedIn page. You’ll get notified when they have live events.
Focus on events aligned with your professional interests, industry, job role, and goals. For example, marketers should look for digital marketing events to attend. Take the time to browse all upcoming events – you never know what you may find.
Registering for a LinkedIn Live Event
Once you’ve found an event you want to attend, click the “Register” button on the event page. Registration is free for most LinkedIn Live events.
You’ll need to register with your full name and LinkedIn profile to attend. This allows the event organizers to see who is signed up and also prevents spam.
After registering, you’ll get a confirmation email with event logistics. Add the event to your calendar so you don’t forget about it!
Joining the Event
When the event start time approaches, head to the LinkedIn Events page. Find the upcoming event you registered for and click “Join.” This will open the LinkedIn Live video player.
You may need to wait in a virtual “waiting room” before joining the live video. Once the event starts, you should see the presenters on your screen and hear the audio.
Make sure your speaker volume is turned on. If you don’t hear anything, check your computer’s audio settings. You may need to change the input/output or adjust the volume.
The event may take place right in your LinkedIn feed or be hosted on an external platform like Zoom. Follow the instructions to get into the right video room.
Participating in the Event
One of the best parts of LinkedIn Live events is that they are interactive. Here are some ways to actively participate:
- Ask questions – Look for the Q&A box where you can submit questions to the host. Ask thoughtful questions to get the most value.
- Join discussions – For larger events, you may see a chat box where you can chat with other attendees.
- Like comments – Help interesting viewer comments and questions stand out by liking them.
- Poll questions – Some events have live polls to get the audience involved. Share your opinion by voting!
- Emoticons – Use emoticons/reaction buttons to react during the event, like clapping or laughing.
The more you participate, the more you’ll take away from the event. Interact as much as you feel comfortable.
Networking
LinkedIn Live events present valuable networking opportunities. Here are tips for connecting with other event attendees:
- Share your LinkedIn profile – Include a link to your LinkedIn profile in your name or comments.
- Join related LinkedIn Groups – Look for Groups related to the event topic to join and share your thoughts.
- Send connection requests – Scroll through other attendees and send connection invites to those you want to contact later.
- Send InMails – Use LinkedIn InMail to directly contact event speakers or attendees after connecting.
- Offer value – Comment helpful tips and ideas to establish yourself as an expert.
Make the most of the professional audience at live events by actively networking with your peers.
Interacting with Speakers
LinkedIn Live events let you interact directly with speakers and hosts. Here are tips for getting the most from speakers:
- Ask good questions – Prepare 1-2 smart questions to distinguish yourself.
- Connect afterward – Send speaker connection invites so you can stay in touch.
- Get clarity – Reach out if you need any clarification or have follow-up questions.
- Share feedback – Let hosts/speakers know what topics you found helpful.
- Request resources – Ask speakers to share relevant documents, links, or tools.
The Q&A portion is a chance to get your specific questions answered by industry experts. Come prepared!
Post-Event Actions
Attending the live event is just the first step. Be sure to follow up with these actions:
- Send thank-you messages – Thank speakers for their time and insights.
- Connect with fellow attendees – Grow your network by connecting with other attendees.
- Share key takeaways – Post or tweet your main lessons learned from the event.
- Apply what you learned – Take action on the ideas and strategies you gained.
- Leave feedback – Provide feedback on the event to help improve future ones.
- Watch for event recordings – Many Live events are recorded. Go back and rewatch helpful talks.
The real value comes from what you do after attending a LinkedIn Live event. Translate your learnings into action.
LinkedIn Live Event Ideas
LinkedIn Live events cover a diverse range of professional topics. Here are some common types of events:
- Industry conferences – Larger scale conferences focused on topics like marketing, HR, engineering, etc.
- Keynotes – Major keynote speeches from business leaders and influencers.
- Trainings/workshops – Practical training sessions to build job skills (social media, software, etc.).
- Product releases – Events announcing new products/services.
- Company events – Company “town hall” meetings and events for employees.
- Networking events – Events focused on making connections.
Think about your goals and interests, and look for LinkedIn Live events that align. With thousands happening annually, there are always great options!
Benefits of Attending LinkedIn Live Events
Here are some of the major benefits you can gain from attending LinkedIn Live events:
- Keep learning – Events provide learning on relevant professional topics without leaving your desk.
- Grow your network – Connect with speakers, hosts, and other attendees.
- Boost exposure – Get noticed by actively participating in discussions and Q&As.
- Find opportunities – Discover new job openings, partners, products, and more.
- Get inspired – The ideas, stories, and people will energize and motivate you.
- Save money – Virtual events let you “attend” free without travel expenses.
- Grow your brand – Share insights and expertise to establish yourself as a thought leader.
LinkedIn Live events make it simple to build skills, connections, and exposure. Take advantage of these free learning opportunities right from your computer.
Conclusion
Attending live events on LinkedIn is an easy yet powerful way to grow your professional skills and network without leaving your desk. Just follow these steps:
- Browse upcoming events and register for ones that interest you.
- Mark the event date on your calendar so you don’t forget.
- Join the live video on the event date and participate actively.
- Connect with other professionals during and after the event.
- Follow up on key learnings and takeaways.
LinkedIn Live events make learning interactive. With a little preparation, you can fully engage, connect, and walk away with new knowledge and contacts.