Running a LinkedIn Live event can be a powerful way to engage with your audience, promote your brand, and establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. Whether you’re hosting a webinar, an online conference, or a professional development session, LinkedIn Live offers a unique platform for business networking and digital marketing. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to successfully run a LinkedIn Live event.
Why Choose LinkedIn Live for Your Event?
LinkedIn is a platform designed for professionals, making it an ideal space for business networking and professional development. Here are some reasons why you should consider LinkedIn Live for your next virtual event:
- Targeted Audience: LinkedIn has over 700 million users, most of whom are professionals looking to connect, learn, and grow.
- Engagement: Live videos on LinkedIn receive seven times more reactions and 24 times more comments than native videos.
- Brand Promotion: Hosting a LinkedIn Live event can significantly boost your brand’s visibility and credibility.
Preparing for Your LinkedIn Live Event
Define Your Goals and Audience
Before you dive into the technical aspects, it’s crucial to define what you aim to achieve with your event. Are you looking to generate leads, build brand awareness, or provide valuable content to your audience? Knowing your goals will help you tailor your content and format to meet those objectives.
Plan Your Content
Content is king, especially in a live setting. Plan out the key points you want to cover and any questions you might want to address. Having a structured outline will help keep the event on track and ensure that you cover all necessary topics.
Choose the Right Webinar Platform
LinkedIn Live doesn’t have its own native streaming tool, so you’ll need a third-party webinar platform that integrates with LinkedIn, such as StreamYard, Restream, or Zoom. These platforms provide additional features like screen sharing, guest hosting, and audience interaction tools.
Setting Up Your LinkedIn Live Event
Apply for LinkedIn Live Access
Not everyone can go live on LinkedIn immediately; you need to apply for access. Visit the LinkedIn Live application page and fill out the necessary details. Once approved, you can start planning your event.
Schedule Your Event
Once you have access, you can schedule your LinkedIn Live event. Go to the LinkedIn Events page and click on “Create event.” Fill in the event details, including the date, time, and a compelling description. Make sure to use relevant keywords like “digital marketing,” “brand promotion,” and “professional development” to attract your target audience.
Promote Your Event
Promotion is key to a successful LinkedIn Live event. Use LinkedIn’s built-in tools to invite your connections and share the event on your feed. You can also create a promotional plan that includes email marketing, social media posts, and even paid ads to maximize reach.
Running the Event
Test Your Equipment
Before going live, test your camera, microphone, and internet connection to ensure everything is working smoothly. Most webinar platforms offer a test run feature, which allows you to check all technical aspects beforehand.
Engage with Your Audience
Engagement is crucial in a live setting. Here are some tips to keep your audience engaged:
- Start with a Hook: Begin with a captivating introduction to grab attention.
- Interactive Elements: Use polls, Q&A sessions, and live chats to interact with your audience.
- Real-Time Feedback: Address comments and questions in real-time to make the event more interactive.
Monitor Analytics
During the event, keep an eye on viewer statistics and engagement metrics. Most webinar platforms provide real-time analytics that can help you understand how your audience is interacting with your content.
Post-Event Activities
Analyze Performance
After the event, take some time to analyze its performance. Look at metrics like the number of viewers, engagement rate, and audience retention. This data will help you understand what worked well and what needs improvement for future events.
Follow-Up with Attendees
Send a follow-up email to all attendees thanking them for their participation. Include a summary of the event, key takeaways, and a call-to-action (CTA) for future engagement. This could be subscribing to your newsletter, following your LinkedIn page, or signing up for upcoming events.
Repurpose Content
Don’t let your content go to waste. Repurpose the recorded session into different formats such as blog posts, social media snippets, and email newsletters. This will help you reach a broader audience and maximize the value of your content.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Poor Promotion
One of the biggest mistakes is not promoting your event enough. Use all available channels to spread the word and attract attendees.
Technical Glitches
Technical issues can ruin the viewer experience. Always test your equipment and internet connection before going live.
Lack of Engagement
A one-sided presentation can bore your audience. Make sure to interact with your viewers through Q&A sessions, polls, and live chats.
Best Practices for LinkedIn Live Events
Consistency is Key
Regularly hosting LinkedIn Live events can help you build a loyal audience. Consistency in scheduling and content quality will keep your audience coming back for more.
Stay Authentic
Authenticity resonates well with audiences. Be genuine in your interactions and provide real value to your viewers. This will help you build trust and credibility.
Leverage Influencers
Partnering with industry influencers can significantly boost your event’s reach and credibility. Influencers can attract their followers to your event, providing you with a larger, more engaged audience.
News
LinkedIn has enhanced its newsletter feature with several updates to improve user experience. The platform now lets users subscribe to newsletters and receive notifications for new articles, similar to traditional email newsletters. New updates include a redesigned comment section for better interaction, the ability to embed LinkedIn profiles in newsletters, preview options before publishing, and integration with Microsoft AI for generating cover images. These changes aim to boost engagement and streamline the creation process for LinkedIn newsletters.
Conclusion
Running a LinkedIn Live event can be a game-changer for your digital marketing strategy. From brand promotion to professional development, the benefits are numerous. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can host a successful LinkedIn Live event that engages your audience and achieves your business goals. So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your LinkedIn Live event today and take your business networking to the next level.
