Hosting a LinkedIn Live Event – Step‑by‑step Guide
Below is a practical, “run‑the‑show” playbook that covers everything from getting approved to going live, and even post‑event follow‑up. Feel free to copy‑paste, tweak, and share with your team.
1. Get Your LinkedIn Live Access
| ✅ | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Confirm your profile – LinkedIn Live is available to personal profiles, company pages, and Showcase Pages. Make sure you’re logged into a personal account that manages the page you’ll broadcast from. |
| 2 | Apply for LinkedIn Live (if you haven’t yet): • Go to the LinkedIn Live page https://business.linkedin.com/marketing-solutions/linkedin-live • Click “Get Started” • Fill in the application form (you’ll need to outline your event goals, target audience, and how you’ll promote it). • Wait for LinkedIn’s approval (usually 24‑48 hrs; you can check status in the LinkedIn Campaign Manager). |
| 3 | Set up a LinkedIn Page – If you don’t already have a company or showcase page, create one. LinkedIn Live requires a verified page. |
| 4 | Verify your LinkedIn Page – Add a profile picture, cover photo, and “About” section. LinkedIn may require you to verify your email address and provide a phone number. |
| 5 | Enable “Live” on your Page – In the Page’s admin tools → “Updates” → “Add Live” (once approved). |
2. Pick Your Streaming Tool
LinkedIn Live works with any RTMP‑compatible software. Popular choices:
| Tool | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| OBS Studio (free) | Custom scenes, overlays, multi‑source mixing | Steeper learning curve |
| Streamlabs OBS | All‑in‑one, built‑in widgets | Larger resource usage |
| Wirecast (paid) | Professional features, support | Cost |
| XSplit Broadcaster (free tier) | User‑friendly | Limited features for free users |
| Streamyard (browser‑based) | No install, simple | Requires a paid plan for advanced features |
Quick setup in OBS Studio:
- Add “Scene” – name it “Main Broadcast”.
- Add Sources – “Window Capture” for your presentation or “Display Capture” for full screen.
- Add “Audio Input” – your microphone.
- Add “Audio Output” – system sound if you’ll play video or music.
- Add “Text” – overlays like “Live Now” or your event title.
3. Configure OBS to Stream to LinkedIn
- Open LinkedIn Campaign Manager (or your LinkedIn Page admin).
- Click “Create Campaign” → choose “Video” → then “LinkedIn Live”.
- When you hit “Start streaming”, LinkedIn will present an RTMP URL and a Stream key.
- In OBS, go to Settings → Stream →
- Service: Custom
- Server: Paste LinkedIn’s RTMP URL
- Stream Key: Paste LinkedIn’s Stream key
- Click “Start Streaming” in OBS, and LinkedIn will show a live preview.
4. Test, Test, Test
| ✅ | Tip |
|---|---|
| Run a “dry‑run” – stream to a private LinkedIn page or a staging account. | Ensures audio, video, and lighting look good. |
| Check your network – 10 Mbps upload is recommended. | Use a wired connection for stability. |
| Test audio levels – OBS has a mixer; aim for -6 dB on the mic, -12 dB on system audio. | |
| Do a quick run‑through of the script – make sure transitions and links work. | |
| Backup plan – Have a backup device (phone/secondary laptop) in case of failure. |
5. Promote Your Event
| Channel | Action |
|---|---|
| LinkedIn Post | Create an eye‑catching graphic, include the event title, date, time (in UTC & local timezones). Add a caption that highlights the value. Ask for RSVPs. |
| LinkedIn Articles | Write a short article (2‑3 min read) about what you’ll discuss. |
| Page Updates | Post a teaser 24 hrs before. |
| Send an invitation to your newsletter list. Include a calendar invite with the link. | |
| Cross‑post | Tweet the same link, pin a Facebook post. |
| Hashtags | Use 3‑5 relevant hashtags (#LinkedInLive, #ThoughtLeadership, #IndustryX). |
6. Going Live
| Time | Action |
|---|---|
| -10 min | Start OBS, check audio/video. |
| -5 min | Double‑check LinkedIn preview. |
| -1 min | Drop the “Live” banner (if using an overlay). |
| 0 min | Hit “Go Live” in LinkedIn (LinkedIn will confirm). |
| During | • Stick to your agenda but stay flexible. • Monitor chat for questions. • Encourage viewers to share. • Keep an eye on the “Engagement” panel in LinkedIn Campaign Manager. |
| End | • Thank everyone. • Provide a call‑to‑action (download, signup, follow). • Hit “End Live” in LinkedIn, then stop streaming in OBS. |
7. Post‑Event Actions
| ✅ | What to do |
|---|---|
| Save the recording – LinkedIn auto‑stores the video for 7 days. Move it to a public LinkedIn page or YouTube if you want a longer shelf life. | |
| Share highlights – Create short clips for social media and email. | |
| Analyze metrics – In Campaign Manager, review views, peak concurrent viewers, engagement rate, and audience demographics. | |
| Follow‑up email – Send a thank‑you, link to the recording, a short survey, and a CTA. | |
| Archive the chat – Export the chat logs if you plan to use insights or answer unanswered questions. | |
| Plan the next event – Use data to improve topics, timing, and promotion strategy. |
8. Common Pitfalls & Quick Fixes
| Issue | Fix |
|---|---|
| No video/audio | Verify that the correct source is selected in OBS. Check that LinkedIn’s RTMP URL and stream key are correct. |
| Lag or buffering | Move to a wired Ethernet connection, lower OBS output resolution to 720p. |
| LinkedIn won’t start | Ensure your account is fully approved and that you’re using the correct page admin. |
| Audience engagement low | Ask questions, use polls, or offer a giveaway during the broadcast. |
| Legal/Compliance | Use only licensed music or cover songs; double‑check company branding guidelines. |
9. Quick Checklist (Print‑out)
- ✅ LinkedIn Live approved
- ✅ LinkedIn Page verified
- ✅ Streaming tool installed (OBS/Streamlabs/etc.)
- ✅ RTMP URL & Stream key ready
- ✅ Test run completed
- ✅ Promotion scheduled
- ✅ Backup device & connection ready
- ✅ Post‑event follow‑up plan drafted
Final Thought
LinkedIn Live is a powerful way to connect with professionals, showcase expertise, and grow your audience. By following this guide, you’ll reduce the technical headaches and focus on delivering value. Good luck, and enjoy the broadcast! 🎙️🚀
If you run into a snag or need a deeper dive on any step, just let me know—I’m here to help!