Instagram Live has become a popular feature on the platform, allowing users to connect with their audience in real-time. Going live on Instagram is a great tool for brands, influencers, and individuals to build engagement, increase their reach, and promote their products or services. In this post, we’ll explain what Instagram Live is, its benefits, and show you how to go live on Instagram.
What is Instagram Live ?
Instagram Live is a real-time video feature where users can broadcast live to their followers. This feature allows users to connect with their audience in a more personal and authentic way. Going live on Instagram is a great way to build engagement, increase your reach, and promote your brand or products.
Benefits of Going Live on Instagram
Increased engagement – Going live on Instagram can increase engagement with your followers. When you go live, your followers can ask you questions, leave comments, and share their thoughts with you in real-time. This creates a sense of community and can help you build stronger relationships with your followers.
 Authenticity – Going live on Instagram allows you to showcase your personality and connect with your followers in a more authentic way. Unlike pre-recorded videos, Instagram Live is unscripted and raw, allowing your followers to see the real you.
Reach – Instagram Live can help you reach a wider audience. When you go live, your followers will receive a notification, and your live stream can also appear in the explore page, potentially reaching new viewers.
Repurpose content – You can repurpose your Instagram Live content by saving it to your story or IGTV. This allows your followers who missed the live stream to catch up on what they missed.
Promote your brand – Finally, going live on Instagram is a great way to promote new products or services. You can use your live video to showcase your products, answer questions, and provide demonstrations. This can help you generate buzz and excitement around your brand.
Now that we’ve seen the benefits of going live on Instagram, let’s show you how to go live on Instagram.
Preparing for Your Live Stream
Going live on Instagram is a great way to connect with your followers and share your message in real-time. However, it’s important to properly prepare for your live stream to ensure a successful and engaging broadcast.
Here are some steps to follow before going live on Instagram:
Step 1: Check Your Equipment
Before you hit the “live” button, it’s essential to check your equipment. Make sure your phone, camera, and microphone are all working properly and fully charged. You don’t want to start your live stream only to realize that your audio or video quality is poor. Test your equipment beforehand and make any necessary adjustments to ensure that your followers can clearly see and hear you during the broadcast.
Step 2: Choose a Location with Good Lighting and Minimal Distractions
The location you choose for your live stream can greatly impact the overall quality of the broadcast. Make sure to choose a location with good lighting, preferably natural light, to ensure that your viewers can see you clearly. Avoid locations with harsh or dim lighting, as this can make it difficult for your followers to engage with your content.
Additionally, choose a location with minimal distractions. You don’t want background noise or movement to take away from your message. Find a quiet and comfortable space where you can easily focus on your live stream.
Step 3: Promote Your Upcoming Live Stream to Your Followers
Finally, it’s important to promote your upcoming live stream to your followers. Let them know when and where you’ll be broadcasting so they can tune in and engage with your content. Use Instagram stories, posts, and other social media platforms to promote your live stream and build excitement around the event. The more you promote your broadcast, the more likely you are to gain a larger audience and increase engagement.
By following these three simple steps – checking your equipment, choosing a location with good lighting and minimal distractions, and promoting your upcoming live stream to your followers – you can ensure a successful and engaging live broadcast.
How to Go Live on Instagram ?
First things first, before you can go live on Instagram, you need to access the live feature. Here is how you can do it:
Access the Instagram Live feature
1. Open the Instagram app and tap on the camera icon in the top left corner of your screen.
2. Swipe right on the camera modes at the bottom of your screen until you reach the “Live” option.
3. Tap on the “Live” option to start your live stream.
Choosing your audience
Once you have accessed the Instagram Live feature, you need to choose your audience. You have three options:
1. Public – anyone can view your live stream, including people who don’t follow you.
2. Friends – only your followers can view your live stream.
3. Specific group – you can choose specific people to view your live stream.
To choose your audience:
1. Before you start your live stream, tap on the “Settings” icon in the top left corner of your screen.
2. Under the “Who can see your live videos?” section, select your desired audience.
Adding a compelling title and description
Now that you’ve accessed the Instagram Live feature and chosen your audience, it’s time to add a compelling title and description to your live stream. Your title and description are crucial because they give your viewers an idea of what your live stream is about and entice them to tune in. Here’s how to add a title and description:
1. Before you start your live stream, tap on the “Title” option at the bottom of your screen.
2. Type in a catchy and descriptive title for your live stream.
3. Tap on the “Description” option to add a description to your live stream.
4. Type in a brief and intriguing description of your live stream.
Some tips for choosing a great title and description include:
Keep it short and sweet: A long title or description can be hard to read and may turn people off from watching your stream.
Include keywords: Use relevant keywords in your title and description to help people find your stream when searching on Instagram.
Be descriptive: Give people a clear idea of what your stream is about and what they can expect to learn or see.
One thing to keep in mind is that going live can be nerve-wracking. But remember, your followers are tuning in because they want to hear what you have to say. So take a deep breath, be yourself, and have fun with it.
Overall, going live on Instagram is a great way to connect with your audience and build your brand. By following these simple steps, you’ll be on your way to creating engaging and interactive content in no time.
Engaging with Your Audience
Now that you are live on Instagram, it’s time to engage with your audience. Here are some tips on how to do that:
Respond to comments and questions in real-time
One of the best ways to engage with your audience is by responding to their comments and questions during your broadcast. Make sure to read the comments and questions that come in and respond to as many as you can. This will show your audience that you care about them and their opinions.
Encourage viewers to interact and participate
Another way to engage with your audience is by encouraging them to interact and participate during your broadcast. You can do this by asking them questions, conducting polls, or asking for their opinions on a topic you are discussing. This will make your broadcast more interactive and engaging for your audience.
Use Instagram Live’s interactive features (polls, questions, etc.)
Instagram Live has many interactive features that you can use to engage with your audience. Some of these features include polls, questions, and emoji reactions. These features can be used to get feedback from your audience or to simply make your broadcast more fun and engaging.
By responding to comments and questions in real-time, encouraging viewers to interact and participate, and using Instagram Live’s interactive features, you can create a more engaging and interactive broadcast.
Wrapping Up Your Live Stream
When it’s time to end your live stream, it’s important to do so gracefully. Here are a few tips to help you wrap up your live stream in style:
1. Say Thank You: Before you end your live stream, take a moment to thank your audience for tuning in. Let them know that you appreciate their support and that you hope to see them again soon.
2. Encourage Engagement: Encourage your viewers to leave comments and questions in the chat, and let them know that you’ll be responding to them after the stream has ended.
3. End with a Call-to-Action: End your live stream with a call-to-action, such as encouraging your viewers to follow you on Instagram, sign up for your email list, or check out your latest product or service.
Saving Your Live Video to Your Camera Roll
After your live stream has ended, you’ll want to save your video to your camera roll so that you can repurpose it later. Here’s how to do it:
1. Tap Save: When your live stream has ended, tap the “Save” button at the top right corner of your screen.
2. Wait for Download: Your video will start downloading, and you’ll see a progress bar at the top of your screen. Wait for the download to complete before exiting the app.
3. Access Your Video: Once the download is complete, you’ll be able to access your video in your camera roll.
Promoting Your Next Live Stream or Other Content
Now that your live stream is over, it’s time to start promoting your next one. Here are a few tips to help you get the word out:
1. Share on Social Media: Share a teaser or highlight clip from your live stream on your other social media platforms to let your followers know that they can catch your next stream.
2. Send an Email: If you have an email list, send out an announcement to let your subscribers know when your next live stream will be.
3. Create a Countdown: Use Instagram’s countdown sticker to create a countdown to your next live stream. This will build anticipation and remind your followers to tune in.
Going live on Instagram can be a powerful tool for building your brand and engaging your audience. But just like any other type of content, your live stream needs to be wrapped up properly. By following these tips, you can end your live stream gracefully, save your video to your camera roll, and promote your next live stream or other content.
Tips for a Successful Instagram Live Stream
Follow these tips for a successful Instagram live stream and take your social media presence to new heights.
Tip #1: Prepare an outline or script
Before going live, it’s important to have a general idea of what you want to talk about. Create an outline or script that includes the main points you want to cover. This will help you stay on track and ensure that you don’t forget anything important. However, don’t be too rigid with your script. Leave room for spontaneity and audience interaction.
Tip #2: Practice before going live
Practice makes perfect, and this is especially true when it comes to going live on Instagram. Take some time to practice going live before actually doing it for your followers. This will help you get comfortable with the process and work out any kinks beforehand. You can also ask a friend to join your practice session and give you feedback.
Tip #3: Experiment with different types of content
There are many different types of content you can create for your Instagram Live stream. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. You can do a Q&A session, a tutorial, a behind-the-scenes look at your business, or even a virtual event. The possibilities are endless, so find what works best for you and your audience.
By preparing an outline or script, practicing before going live, and experimenting with different types of content, you can have a successful Instagram Live stream.
Best practices for saving and sharing your Instagram Live video
Save Your Video to Your Camera Roll
First things first, once your Instagram Live ends, make sure you save it to your camera roll. To do this, tap the “Save” button at the top right of your screen after your live stream ends. This will save the video directly to your phone’s camera roll.
By saving your video, you can edit, repurpose, and share it on other platforms. It’s an excellent way to connect with followers who missed your live stream or want to watch it again.
Add it to Your Instagram Story or IGTV for Continued Engagement
Now that you have saved your video, you can add it to your Instagram Story or IGTV. Adding your live video to your story or IGTV provides continued engagement with your followers. It’s also an excellent way to reach new followers who may not have seen your live stream.
To add your video to your Instagram Story, click on the “Your Story” icon on your Instagram profile, and then select the video from your camera roll. Once you’ve selected your video, you can edit it by adding text, stickers, or other creative elements.
To add your video to IGTV, click on the “+” icon on your Instagram profile, select “IGTV Video,” and upload your video from your camera roll. IGTV allows you to upload longer videos, making it an excellent platform for sharing your live stream with your audience.
Share it on Other Social Media Platforms
Lastly, don’t forget to share your Instagram Live video on other social media platforms. By doing so, you can reach a broader audience and connect with followers who may not follow you on Instagram.
To share your video on other social media platforms, you can download the video from your camera roll and upload it to other social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube. You can also share the video link on other platforms to direct followers to your Instagram profile.
Conclusion
Going live on Instagram can be a valuable tool for personal and business growth. By following the key points discussed in this content, such as preparing beforehand, engaging with your audience, and promoting your live stream, you can increase your reach and engagement on the platform. Don’t be afraid to give it a try and see how it can benefit your brand or personal brand. With practice and persistence, you can master the art of going live on Instagram and connect with your followers in a whole new way.
So, what are you waiting for? Go live and start engaging with your audience today!