In today’s digital-first world, live video content is one of the most powerful ways to engage with your audience. LinkedIn Live streaming, in particular, has become a game-changer for professionals and brands alike. Yet many users still struggle to understand how to go live on LinkedIn or schedule a LinkedIn Live event correctly. As per LinkedIn, live video gets 24x more comments and 7x more reactions than regular video posts. That’s massive engagement just waiting to be tapped into, if you know how.
In this detailed guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about going live on LinkedIn, especially how to plan a scheduled LinkedIn Live event. Whether you’re a first-time broadcaster or looking to improve your production workflow for streaming, this is your ultimate LinkedIn help resource.
What is LinkedIn Live and Why Should You Use It?
LinkedIn Live is a video broadcasting feature that allows viewers to stream live video content directly to their followers via their LinkedIn profile or LinkedIn page. Unlike pre-recorded videos, LinkedIn Live gives you an opportunity to engage with your audience in real-time, encouraging interaction and engagement.
- Live events can boost brand credibility.
- LinkedIn Live video allows real-time Q&As, product launches, AMAs, panel discussions, and more.
- Live broadcasts appear in your feed, event page, and even as push notifications for your followers.
The format is perfect for brands, thought leaders, HR professionals, and creators looking to elevate their online presence and build trust through authentic content.
Reddit users say LinkedIn Live offers real-time engagement and visibility, while podcasts provide evergreen content, making the choice depend on your goals and audience behavior.
How Do I Access LinkedIn Live?
Not everyone can go live on LinkedIn immediately. You need to meet the access criteria to create and host LinkedIn Lives.
Criteria to create and host LinkedIn Lives:
- You must have a good standing LinkedIn profile or page with a history of following community policies.
- You need at least 150 followers or connections.
- Your profile or page must be active, with recent posts, engagements, or updates.
- You must use a third-party broadcast tool or a streaming software or encoder (LinkedIn doesn’t allow streaming directly from the platform).
To check if you fulfill the criteria, go to your LinkedIn page or profile settings and see the option for “LinkedIn Live in the event format dropdown.” If it appears, you have access.
Pro Tip: Visit the LinkedIn Live Access Criteria Page to see up-to-date rules.
Reddit users say that even with a large following, going live on a LinkedIn company page requires meeting specific platform criteria and getting approval, which some find unexpectedly restrictive.
What are the requirements for going live on a LinkedIn company page with 21k followers?
byu/yasirisseo inlinkedin
Tools to Schedule and Promote LinkedIn Live Events
Creating a scheduled LinkedIn Live event isn’t just about streaming — it’s about planning, promoting, and executing a high-impact live experience. The right tools can help you schedule your live, stream live video content, and ensure it reaches the right audience. Below are the essential tools and platforms you need to effectively schedule and promote your LinkedIn live broadcasts.
1. LinkedIn Events Tool
Before anything else, your LinkedIn page or profile is where the magic starts. Use LinkedIn’s built-in event creation feature to set up a scheduled LinkedIn Live event using the event format dropdown. This event will show up in your followers’ feeds and can be shared by your network.
2. StreamYard (Preferred Partner)
StreamYard is a cloud-based third-party broadcast tool and one of LinkedIn’s preferred streaming partners. It offers a simple way to go live to your scheduled LinkedIn event, even if you have minimal technical expertise.
Features:
- Direct integration with LinkedIn Live
- Custom branding and overlays
- Multi-guest support (great for panels)
- Stream to multiple platforms (LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook)
- Works on browsers — no downloads needed
You can copy the stream URL and stream key from your LinkedIn event and paste them into StreamYard for easy connection.
3. Restream
Restream lets you multistream your LinkedIn live video to other platforms simultaneously — YouTube, Facebook, X (Twitter), and more. It’s ideal for extending your reach beyond LinkedIn while keeping your main audience engaged.
Features:
- RTMP support for custom streams
- Pre-recorded video broadcasting
- Built-in chat moderation tools
- Analytics dashboard
Perfect for marketing teams managing broad campaigns or influencers aiming to increase cross-platform reach.
4. Zoom (For LinkedIn Live via RTMP)
Zoom is a go-to for webinars and virtual conferences. When combined with LinkedIn Live streaming via RTMP, it becomes a powerful solution for larger-scale professional events.
Features:
- Broadcast Zoom meetings or webinars as a LinkedIn Live event
- Add co-hosts, panelists, and breakout rooms
- Integrated chat, Q&A, and screen-sharing
- RTMP setup allows for full broadcast control
Copy your stream URL and stream key from LinkedIn into Zoom’s “Live Custom Streaming Service” section to begin streaming.
5. OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software)
For creators who want full control over the production workflow, OBS offers advanced tools for custom layouts, overlays, scenes, transitions, and more.
Features:
- Open-source and free
- Full RTMP ingest support
- Ideal for multi-camera setups, high-quality audio
- Use a custom stream for maximum branding and control
You’ll need to connect directly to LinkedIn using RTMP, which is provided when you create your LinkedIn Live event.
6. LeadCRM for Promotions
While setting up your scheduled LinkedIn Live event is step one, getting people to actually show up is all about smart, timely promotion. LeadCRM is a powerful LeadCRM that helps you automate outreach, nurture engagement, and drive attendance to your live sessions — all from one dashboard.
How LeadCRM Helps:
- Automated Follow-Ups: Send personalized connection requests and messages to your network or leads, inviting them to your upcoming LinkedIn Live broadcast.
- Pre-Event Campaigns: Set up scheduled campaigns to go out one hour before your scheduled start or days in advance.
- Post-Live Engagement: Automatically message attendees and viewers with replay links, thank-you notes, or next steps, helping you convert viewers into leads.
- CRM Integration: Syncs with tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, and Pipedrive so that every interaction from your LinkedIn Live event can be tracked and nurtured.
With LeadCRM, you not only promote your LinkedIn live sessions efficiently but also manage the entire lead funnel, from discovery to conversion.
7. Mailchimp for Email Marketing
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is one of the most well-known email marketing platforms for its drag-and-drop editor, audience segmentation, and powerful automation workflows.
How Mailchimp Supports LinkedIn Live:
- Automated Reminder Campaigns: Schedule reminder emails to go out one hour before your scheduled start, or several days before your event.
- Custom Email Templates: Use branded templates with embedded event page links or banner graphics.
- Audience Segmentation: Target niche-specific audience groups based on behavior or demographics, helping you tailor event invites.
- Analytics: Track open rates and click-throughs to measure engagement with your LinkedIn Live promotion.
Perfect for small to mid-size businesses looking to reach large contact lists efficiently.
How to Schedule a LinkedIn Live Streaming (Step-by-Step)
Want to go live to your scheduled LinkedIn event? Here’s how to schedule your live session the right way.
Step 1: Create a Scheduled LinkedIn Live Event
- Go to your LinkedIn page or profile.
- Click “Create an event”.
- Choose the “LinkedIn Live” option in the event format dropdown.
- Select the cover photo and event type “In Person.”
- Fill in your event page details like title, date, description, and scheduled start time.
6. Select visibility (Public is recommended for reach).
Step 2: Choose Your Streaming Software
Use a streaming tool like StreamYard, Zoom, or OBS (example: OBS). Copy the stream URL and stream key from LinkedIn and paste them into your broadcasting software. This is essential for RTMP ingest setup.
Tip: Set a reminder one hour before your scheduled start to avoid last-minute hiccups.
Step 3: Go Live
At the scheduled start time, open your broadcasting tool and click Go Live. Your live video will appear on your LinkedIn feed, event page, and notifications will be sent to registrants.
How to Go Live on LinkedIn Spontaneously?
If you prefer to go live spontaneously (without a pre-scheduled event):
- Use a third-party broadcast tool connected via RTMP.
- Choose the “Go live on LinkedIn” option.
- Title your stream and start streaming.
But remember, spontaneous streams won’t have the advantage of prior promotion or scheduled attendance.
What’s the Difference Between Scheduled and Unscheduled LinkedIn Live?
| Feature | Scheduled LinkedIn Live | Spontaneous Live |
|---|---|---|
|
Promotion |
Yes, via the event page |
No |
|
Reminder Notifications |
Yes, 1 hour before your scheduled start |
No |
|
Audience Attendance |
Higher |
Unpredictable |
|
Discoverability |
Better via LinkedIn Live Event |
Limited |
Scheduled LinkedIn Live events offer higher chances of engagement, especially when well-promoted in advance.
Is LinkedIn Live a Paid Feature?
No, LinkedIn Live is not a paid feature, but it does require eligibility. You don’t need to subscribe to LinkedIn Premium to access it, but:
- You need to fulfill the access criteria.
- You need to use external streaming software, which may have its own pricing (e.g., StreamYard, Restream).
So while LinkedIn Live itself is free, some third-party streaming tools may come at a cost depending on the features you use.
Maximizing Engagement During a LinkedIn Live Broadcast
Tips to Engage Live:
- Start with a strong hook within 30 seconds.
- Interact with comments in real-time.
- Use polls or Q&A during your live video.
- Tag speakers and co-hosts.
- Ask attendees to share the event on LinkedIn.
Post-Event Strategy:
- Repurpose the recording into clips or blogs.
- Send thank-you messages to attendees.
- Upload highlights to your LinkedIn page or profile.
- Repost the live broadcast to increase views.
Troubleshooting LinkedIn Live Issues
Common Issues:
- No access to LinkedIn Live: Double-check if you meet the access criteria to create and broadcast LinkedIn Lives.
- Live stream not showing: Ensure the stream URL and stream key are correctly entered in your streaming tool.
- Audio/video lag: Close background apps or use a wired internet connection for better performance.
Reddit users have been vocal about recent struggles with LinkedIn Live streaming. Many of them report streams consistently failing shortly after going live, with tools like Restream, StreamYard, and Ecamm all encountering errors.
Conclusion: Ready to Go Live on LinkedIn?
LinkedIn Live streaming is one of the most powerful tools to humanize your brand, increase visibility, and drive real-time interaction. Whether you’re using LinkedIn Live to host thought leadership events, launch a product, or connect with a professional audience, knowing how to create a scheduled LinkedIn Live event using a third-party broadcast tool makes all the difference.
By following the steps and tips shared above, from checking your access to LinkedIn Live, selecting the right streaming software, understanding how to go live to your scheduled LinkedIn event, and maximizing engagement, you’re fully equipped to stream live and make every LinkedIn Live broadcast count.
So get ready, set your scheduled start time, and go live to captivate your LinkedIn audience like never before.
