Going live on Instagram is a great way to generate interest in your brand and boost engagement.
If you follow the tips listed below, chances are that you’ll have a successful marketing campaign.
But remember: the most important thing is to always have a strategy in place for each Instagram Live video you post. A good strategy will help guide you through all the steps involved with running and promoting an effective live video campaign.
What is Instagram Live?
Instagram Live is a live video feature on Instagram. It allows you to connect with your audience in real time, share your story and engage with them in ways that typical posts can't accomplish. The possibilities are endless! You can use it to show how you create a product, answer questions from followers, or just share something fun about yourself.
You might be thinking: "But what if my followers don't see my story?" Well, that's where the hashtag comes into play. Your story will appear in a hashtag feed at the top of their feed (so they'll always know you're there) and they can tap on it to watch live video! This makes watching IG Stories more seamless than ever before so now everyone wins!
Why should you use Instagram Live?
Instagram Live is a great way to connect with your audience, share valuable content and get feedback on your products and services. It also allows you to build your brand!
Once you've mastered Instagram Live, you'll be able to use it as a powerful tool for building relationships with your customers, engaging them in real time, and helping establish yourself as an authority in your industry.
How do you go live on Instagram?
There are two ways to go live on Instagram. First, you can enter the Live section of your feed by tapping the “Live” icon in the bottom-right corner.
The second way is through a post. Once you've posted an image on your brand's Instagram page or Story, click on the yellow button that says, “Start Live Video” (if it's not already highlighted). This will take you directly into a Live broadcast feed where users can see your broadcast and comment on it as it happens!
How to enable notifications for Instagram Live
To enable notifications for Instagram Live, follow these steps:
- Go to the Instagram app on your phone or tablet
- Click on the profile icon in the bottom right corner of your screen (or open up a post)
- Click on the three dots in the top right corner and choose “Turn On Post Notifications” from this menu
- Select “Live” from this menu, then select “Turn On All Posts” to enable all future notifications
Tips for going live on Instagram
Before you go live, make sure that your camera, microphone, lighting setup and background are all in order. You want to be able to see what you’re doing on screen!
For example, if you are going to be talking about something that needs special attention (like a visual presentation or demonstration), then make sure your camera is at eye level so that viewers can see the visuals clearly without having to zoom in.
Also make sure that the audio quality is good and clear. If using an external mic, try testing it out beforehand by speaking into it without any music playing or background noises happening nearby (such as dogs barking) to make sure it captures sound effectively enough for viewers who may not hear well themselves. Also, for those who do but prefer hearing things with clarity over watching them live!
The best times to go live
The best time to go live is when you have a lot of followers. If you don't have many followers, it's better to wait until the next day or week when you can get a bigger audience. You want to be able to be seen by as many people as possible.
You should also consider the time of day when posting in your feed or going live. Generally speaking, people are more likely to engage with content during certain times than others, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t exceptions!
Early morning: 9am-11am PT/12pm-2pm ET
Early evening: 7pm-8pm PT/9pm-10pm ET
What makes a good Instagram Live video?
Sure, you can use the same strategies that make any content on Instagram great. But there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to Instagram Live videos.
- Be yourself, be authentic. This means telling your followers what's going on in your life and how it's affecting you: how you're feeling, what you're eating for dinner tonight (or breakfast tomorrow morning), what music you're listening to right now—anything that gives them a glimpse into who you really are.
- Be open and honest about yourself—and don't be afraid of vulnerability! If anything is making you feel bad or uncomfortable today (even if it happened yesterday), let people know so they understand where those emotions come from—and what they can do differently next time around!
- Be engaging by talking directly into the camera instead of just looking down at notes; this helps viewers feel more connected with what's happening right now instead of feeling like they're watching someone perform onstage without knowing why they were chosen as an audience member (or even where).
If there aren't any notes available (for example: as soon-to-be parents waiting until after birth before sharing any details online), consider writing something down beforehand so there aren't awkward pauses while trying to remember exactly how many kids they want someday... or worse yet--what their favorite color is!
How to keep your audience engaged while you’re live
How do you keep your viewers engaged while your channel is live?
Ask questions. This is one of the best ways to get your audience to talk and interact with each other. You don’t want to just ask “What’s up everyone?” but rather something like, “How many of my followers are wearing red today? Let’s see some hands!” or “Who would win in a fight between a bear and an eagle? Let me know who you think will win!”
Use polls. Polling works well for asking multiple-choice questions that require responses from viewers (e.g., "What's your favorite color?"). It also allows you to create polls that have more than one outcome possible.
For instance, if there are only two options presented as choices but there is actually another option available as a response, people may feel like they can't vote because they think their choice isn't being considered by the poll creator. Or worse…it's not worth their time because there aren't enough options given at all (i.e., why bother voting if my opinion won't even matter?).
By using polls, users can express their views in a survey despite feeling excluded due to the limited options provided.
Ideas for awesome content that will attract an audience
Now that you’re ready to get out there and start live streaming, it's time to think about what kind of content you'll be sharing. When deciding what to stream, here are a few things to keep in mind:
Give people a reason to watch. Whether you're doing this on behalf of yourself or as part of a brand, make sure that the content is going to attract an audience.
This could mean making something interactive and fun (like an Instagram game), taking viewers behind the scenes at events or answering questions they've asked, or simply chatting with them in real time.
The best way to do this is by posting pictures and videos before the stream starts so that people have something interesting waiting for them when they tune in!
Make it personal. There's no better way than sharing some aspects of your life with others. Especially when it comes from someone who knows how much work goes into creating these messages every day!
Revealing vulnerabilities may scare some marketers away from sharing their actual selves but rest assured: honesty will always win hearts over dollars any day!
Conclusion
If you want to make the most out of your Instagram Live streams, then it's important that you do whatever it takes to make them as engaging as possible.
That means not only getting creative with your content but also being more personal and responsive when interacting with viewers so that they feel like they're part of your community.
Click here to join us at our next Event Planner Expo to learn more about online marketing for your business through workshops and speakers.
