LinkedIn Live for Executives & Entrepreneurs: A Step-by-Step Guide

As an entrepreneur or executive, enhancing your personal presence and extending your impact in the LinkedIn community is vital. One emerging trend that can’t be overlooked is Live Streaming, particularly on LinkedIn. With 37% of consumers finding live video the most engaging form of in-feed social content, it’s time to ask: Are you ready to Go Live on LinkedIn?

LinkedIn Live, a native streaming platform, offers a unique opportunity for business leaders to broadcast real-time content. Whether it’s keynotes, interviews, presentations, webinars, or other forms, LinkedIn Live serves as an excellent tool to educate and engage your audience.

LinkedIn Live vs. LinkedIn Events

It’s important to differentiate between LinkedIn Live and LinkedIn Events.

Live LinkedIn broadcasts can be to Page followers or private Event attendees, focusing on community discussions or Q&As.

LinkedIn Events, however, are more formal and only accessible to attendees.

Step-by-Step Guide to Going Live on LinkedIn

Launching your first LinkedIn Live broadcast is easier than it appears at first glance.

Here’s how to get started:

• Ensure You Meet LinkedIn Live’s Access Criteria: LinkedIn Live is accessible to all creators and Pages, provided you meet certain criteria like having a minimum of 150 followers and being in good standing with the platform. You can stream as an individual or on behalf of a Page.
• Equip Yourself with Proper Live Streaming Equipment: Basic tools like a dedicated webcam, microphone, and a reliable internet connection are necessary. It’s recommended to test your broadcast quality beforehand using tools like OBS (Open Broadcaster Software).
• Choose a LinkedIn Live Streaming Service: Use LinkedIn’s streaming partners (like Restream or Vimeo) or a video encoder tool to host your stream from an external platform (such as Zoom or OBS).
• Create a LinkedIn Event for Your Stream: LinkedIn Events are ideal for scheduling broadcasts and gathering registrants. When creating an event, you’ll provide details about your broadcast and receive a custom URL for promotion.

Ideal Content for LinkedIn Live

Currently, popular content formats on LinkedIn Live include webinars, panels, interviews, and Q&A sessions. Educational webinars and strategy tips tend to attract relevant attendees, offering value through in-depth discussions.

Here are some content ideas for you to consider:

• Industry Insights Roundtable: Host a live roundtable discussion with other industry leaders, sharing insights, trends, and predictions for your sector.
• Behind-the-Scenes at Your Company: Give a live tour of your workplace, showcasing your company culture, daily operations, and introducing team members.
• Q&A Sessions on Leadership: Host a live Q&A session where you address questions about leadership, management strategies, and personal growth.
• Weekly Industry News Recap: Create a weekly series where you discuss and analyze the top news stories in your industry, offering your unique perspective.
• Startup Stories: Share your entrepreneurial journey, challenges you faced, and lessons learned, encouraging interaction and questions from the audience.
• Innovation Talks: Discuss the latest innovations and technological advancements in your industry, and how they could impact future business strategies.
• Book Club with Executives: Start a book club where you discuss a relevant business or leadership book each month, inviting authors or thought leaders for live interviews.
• Mentorship and Career Advice: Offer mentorship advice, discussing career development strategies, and answering career-related questions from the audience.
• Networking Events: Host virtual networking events, allowing participants to introduce themselves, discuss their businesses, and seek collaborations.
• Panel Discussions on Global Market Trends: Organize panel discussions with experts from around the world to talk about global market trends and their impact on different industries.

Best Practices and Tips for LinkedIn Live

• Prepare a Clear Agenda: Avoid freestyling. Outline your presentation, ensuring it’s substantial enough to maintain viewer interest. LinkedIn recommends a minimum of 10 minutes for streaming.
• Involve Your Audience: Use the chat function for interaction, respond to comments, and possibly include a Q&A session.
• Craft Engaging Titles: Titles and thumbnails are crucial in attracting viewers. Make them specific, value-packed, and intriguing.
• Promote Actively: Use multiple channels to promote your event, including LinkedIn features like topics and hashtags. Consider running LinkedIn ads if budget allows.
• Leverage LinkedIn Analytics: Post-event, review your analytics to gauge the effectiveness of your content and refine future strategies.

Wrapping Up

LinkedIn Live presents an excellent opportunity for leaders to establish themselves as industry experts and develop personal thought leadership through engaging video content on this platform. Given the increasing popularity of live streaming, this is an excellent time to leverage it to augment your visibility on LinkedIn.

As the significance of executive branding continues to grow in the upcoming years, this is the very moment to refine your online presence. Ready to dominate on LinkedIn and elevate your executive profile like never before? Visit innakuts.com, DM or reach out to me at ik@innakuts.com.