!["Mastering Instagram Launch Your Live Session"](https://www.lifewire.com/thmb/P7rRfkINfv1vuvMta_Lxbru6Ke0=/564x250/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/HomeTheater_GettyImages-1157313674_DennisFischerPhotography_CROPPED-cdaa99c3a6af4fd8a666aedc8c41cd89.jpg)
"Mastering Instagram Launch Your Live Session"
![](/images/site-logo.png)
Mastering Instagram: Launch Your Live Session
How to Go Live on Instagram
Shanoon Cox
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
On Instagram live streaming is given the top spot in terms of billing; it appears as a number one priority in user’s feeds, so if you’re on a mission to get noticed, finding out how to go live on Instagram has to be a priority. However, it’s not easy to get it right. If you’re wondering how to start a live video on Instagram, and what it should be about, we’ve got all the answers you need right here.
- How to Go Live on Instagram - Step by step
- How to make good use of Instagram live video for business
- Eleven Live video tips
How to Go Live on Instagram - Step by step
If you’re in the market to find out how to start a live video on Instagram, this step by step guide will get you Instagram live streaming in no time. Check out our three key steps for how to start a live video on Instagram and have a go at your first stream too.
Step 1: Start Instagram live streaming
You might think it’s obvious how to go live on Instagram, but it’s actually not as straightforward as you might think. To start an Instagram broadcast you need to begin by tapping on the ‘Your Story’ photo at the top of the menu. You’ll see a little plus sign next to it in blue. If you’ve been scrolling through your feed then this bar may have disappeared, in which case you’ll need to tap the camera button at the top left to bring it back again.
Now you should be in your story menu, which will let you choose one of three available options.
- Live: This is Instagram live streaming, which disappears instantly once the broadcast is complete.
- Normal: Here you can add a photo or video which will be available for 24 hours
- Boomerang: This is for uploading a batch of photos which are stitched together to create a time-lapse type video
For the purposes of Instagram live streaming, you’ll need to slide on over to the ‘Live’ option.
Before you begin broadcasting, however, check out your settings to ensure the right people can (or can’t) see the broadcast. You can also edit who is allowed to message you about this story, and block anyone you know to be a troll, for example. The ‘save shared photos’ setting does not work on your live streams, however, you can save your broadcast to your camera roll once you’ve finished the stream, thanks to a feature introduced by Instagram last year.
Now you’re all set. Check that your camera is pointing the right way, take a deep breath, and hit ‘Start Live Video’ once you’re sure you’re ready to start.
Step 2: Manage the stream
When thinking about how to go live on Instagram, it’s worth considering how you will manage your broadcast whilst in full flow. There are a few key settings built into Instagram which will help you to do this:
- Viewer count: Up in the top right corner of your screen, you’ll see a number next to an eye. This tells you how many people are currently watching your stream. Keeping an eye on when people exit or join will give you some indication of how engaging they are finding your content.
- Comments: At the bottom, you’ll see a comment field, which will display comments made by your viewers. If you’re great at multi-tasking you can respond to comments as you go or ask people to message you their input, so you can reply to them after the stream. If you want to turn off commenting, tap the three dots in the bottom right corner.
- Likes: Viewers can express their love for your video in real-time, which you’ll see as a heart animation. Feel free to thank them and encourage additional likes where you can.
- Time broadcasting: Tap the little button that says ‘live’ to see how long your stream has been broadcasting.
- Block user: To see who’s watching, tap the little eye that is counting your viewers. If someone is becoming a nuisance, simply click the ‘x’ next to their name to remove them from your stream.
Effective management of your stream is crucial, so ensure you are confident enough with what you want to cover in your broadcast that you can do this without interrupting your flow. Remember, there are no retakes with this type of content, so when planning how to start a live video on Instagram, make sure you dedicate enough time to the preparation to put you in a great position for an awesome video first time.
Step 3: End the broadcast and wrap it up
To end your stream, simply hit the ‘end’ button in the top right of your screen. Instagram will return the limited analytics they hold for your stream, which is basically just the number of viewers. Unfortunately, Instagram Analytics doesn’t record data about your live streams, so it’s important to record this yourself for future reference. Either take a screenshot or note it down in some other way, so you can see how your different video topics return different results.
If you made any promises during your live stream, now is the time to keep them. Set aside a bit of time immediately after your video to follow up any direct messages, respond to any questions you might have had, and to send on any information as promised. Your followers will appreciate your swift response.
How to make good use of Instagram live video for business
It’s crucial to start figuring out how to go live on Instagram from a good, solid foundation. Unlike other video formats, live streaming offers no retakes, no edits, and no opportunity to undo your mistakes. For this reason, you need to have a good idea of what you’re going to be covering and how it’s going to work.
Here are some ideas, tips, and advice for making the most of your Instagram live streaming for your business, and how you can ensure you’re an insta-hit and not a flop-agram.
Ideas for Instagram live streaming videos
You May Also Like: How to Create Instagram Business Account >>
Before you can start thinking about how to start a live video on Instagram, you need to have a topic. Live streams really can be about anything, but some tried and tested formats work a little better than others. For example:
- Q and A sessions: If you’ve got a product, service, or knowledge base to draw upon, invite interaction with your viewers for a session of questions and answers
- Instant feedback: Show you care and that you’re listening by inviting feedback on a new product or recent activity you’ve been involved with
- Behind the scenes: Viewers love to see how businesses operate, so why not take them on a tour of your warehouse or while you’re getting ready for a trade show?
- Tutorials and insight: Whatever your industry, you can be confident you know more than just about anyone else about what you do. Teach them how to use a product, give tips on getting the best from your service, or give them some insider tips that only you know
- Special guest features: You don’t have to have celebrity connections, but if you can rope in an influencer or brand to do an interview session with you, you’ll have double the traffic with your fans and theirs
- Comment on the comments: You’ll find a world of inspiration in your own direct messages and comments sections. Sure, much of it will be inane drivel, but just occasionally there is a
- Wonderful and wacky: Never underestimate the power of the unexpected. Sometimes just doing something a bit weird or unusual is enough to captivate a bigger audience than ever!
Hopefully, these ideas for Instagram live streaming videos have given you some nuggets of inspiration to start your own amazing stream. What works for you will depend on your overall goal, whether you’re promoting a product, offering a service, or simply solidifying your position as an industry influencer. Brainstorm ideas before you begin, and keep a list of ideas on your desk, to add to as new motivation arises.
Eleven Live video tips
You know you’re going to get noticed when you start a live broadcast on Instagram, so it’s important to get it the right the first time. Make the most of every Instagram live streaming opportunity you get with our 11 awesome live video tips:
- Check who has tuned in: You can find out who’s watching your feed by tapping the eye icon in the corner of the screen. Viewers love a bit of interaction, so if you’ve got a regular viewer or a username you recognize, be sure to give them a shout out to acknowledge their visit.
- Make sure people know what you’re broadcasting about: Being clear about what your video is covering is a great way to get people hooked, and to keep them there. You can do this easily by pinning a comment that describes or offers a ‘title’ for your live feed.
- Keep reminding them why they came here: Your viewers chose to watch your Instagram live streaming session because there was a nugget they wanted a piece of. Whether it’s a product reveal, a key piece of info, or a tutorial on something, keep reminding them why they’re watching to maintain interest and stop them from leaving.
- Request direct messages: If you’ve got a popular live stream going, the number of comments can be overwhelming, to say the least, and can interfere with the flow of the video. Ask people with specific questions or comments to DM your account and take the time to reply to all of them once you’ve finished.
- Change the view: You can make your live broadcast more engaging and interesting by switching what the viewers see from time to time. Do this by reversing the view of your camera, maybe to show off a product or to see what is around you.
- Say no to trolls: The internet is full of them, and it can be highly frustrating to have to deal with someone trying to disrupt your broadcast. Rather than turning off all the comments, which defeats part of the object of live streaming, click the ‘X’ next to the user’s name to mute their comments instead.
- Save the videos you make: We learn as we go, particularly with new activities that we don’t have much experience of, so don’t forget to save your video so you can watch it back later. Don’t beat yourself up when you view your own video but do take note of what you love and what you hate so you can improve for the future.
- Announce and follow up each live broadcast: Announce your plan to do some Instagram live streaming with a post or story, so people know where to come and when. After, you can create a follow-up post or story to share with those who couldn’t make it along to the live broadcast, highlighting what happened and letting them know when you’re streaming next.
- Answer all those questions: Remember you asked your viewers to DM your account with their specific questions or comments? Well, now you need to keep your promise and reply to all those messages! Set aside sometime straight after your stream to do this, so that they aren’t kept waiting for a reply.
- Note your results: Keep a record of how many people watched your broadcast, and other useful metrics such as how many direct messages you got, or product inquiries were generated. This will help you evaluate which videos work the best for you, and to play your Instagram live streaming activities for the future.
- Be cool and calm: You’ve got this. There’s no need to panic if things wander off-topic, or if everything is not going quite as you planned; just take a deep breath and steer things back in the direction you wanted. Remember; people have tuned in to see you being you, so relax, be yourself, and enjoy the moment.
When you’re thinking about how to go live on Instagram with your business, product, or personality, keep these top tips in mind for a more successful outcome. Do you have any more tips on how to start a live video on Instagram? If you’ve tried live streaming already, what would you recommend to others in your position? Let us know!
Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
On Instagram live streaming is given the top spot in terms of billing; it appears as a number one priority in user’s feeds, so if you’re on a mission to get noticed, finding out how to go live on Instagram has to be a priority. However, it’s not easy to get it right. If you’re wondering how to start a live video on Instagram, and what it should be about, we’ve got all the answers you need right here.
- How to Go Live on Instagram - Step by step
- How to make good use of Instagram live video for business
- Eleven Live video tips
How to Go Live on Instagram - Step by step
If you’re in the market to find out how to start a live video on Instagram, this step by step guide will get you Instagram live streaming in no time. Check out our three key steps for how to start a live video on Instagram and have a go at your first stream too.
Step 1: Start Instagram live streaming
You might think it’s obvious how to go live on Instagram, but it’s actually not as straightforward as you might think. To start an Instagram broadcast you need to begin by tapping on the ‘Your Story’ photo at the top of the menu. You’ll see a little plus sign next to it in blue. If you’ve been scrolling through your feed then this bar may have disappeared, in which case you’ll need to tap the camera button at the top left to bring it back again.
Now you should be in your story menu, which will let you choose one of three available options.
- Live: This is Instagram live streaming, which disappears instantly once the broadcast is complete.
- Normal: Here you can add a photo or video which will be available for 24 hours
- Boomerang: This is for uploading a batch of photos which are stitched together to create a time-lapse type video
For the purposes of Instagram live streaming, you’ll need to slide on over to the ‘Live’ option.
Before you begin broadcasting, however, check out your settings to ensure the right people can (or can’t) see the broadcast. You can also edit who is allowed to message you about this story, and block anyone you know to be a troll, for example. The ‘save shared photos’ setting does not work on your live streams, however, you can save your broadcast to your camera roll once you’ve finished the stream, thanks to a feature introduced by Instagram last year.
Now you’re all set. Check that your camera is pointing the right way, take a deep breath, and hit ‘Start Live Video’ once you’re sure you’re ready to start.
Step 2: Manage the stream
When thinking about how to go live on Instagram, it’s worth considering how you will manage your broadcast whilst in full flow. There are a few key settings built into Instagram which will help you to do this:
- Viewer count: Up in the top right corner of your screen, you’ll see a number next to an eye. This tells you how many people are currently watching your stream. Keeping an eye on when people exit or join will give you some indication of how engaging they are finding your content.
- Comments: At the bottom, you’ll see a comment field, which will display comments made by your viewers. If you’re great at multi-tasking you can respond to comments as you go or ask people to message you their input, so you can reply to them after the stream. If you want to turn off commenting, tap the three dots in the bottom right corner.
- Likes: Viewers can express their love for your video in real-time, which you’ll see as a heart animation. Feel free to thank them and encourage additional likes where you can.
- Time broadcasting: Tap the little button that says ‘live’ to see how long your stream has been broadcasting.
- Block user: To see who’s watching, tap the little eye that is counting your viewers. If someone is becoming a nuisance, simply click the ‘x’ next to their name to remove them from your stream.
Effective management of your stream is crucial, so ensure you are confident enough with what you want to cover in your broadcast that you can do this without interrupting your flow. Remember, there are no retakes with this type of content, so when planning how to start a live video on Instagram, make sure you dedicate enough time to the preparation to put you in a great position for an awesome video first time.
Step 3: End the broadcast and wrap it up
To end your stream, simply hit the ‘end’ button in the top right of your screen. Instagram will return the limited analytics they hold for your stream, which is basically just the number of viewers. Unfortunately, Instagram Analytics doesn’t record data about your live streams, so it’s important to record this yourself for future reference. Either take a screenshot or note it down in some other way, so you can see how your different video topics return different results.
If you made any promises during your live stream, now is the time to keep them. Set aside a bit of time immediately after your video to follow up any direct messages, respond to any questions you might have had, and to send on any information as promised. Your followers will appreciate your swift response.
How to make good use of Instagram live video for business
It’s crucial to start figuring out how to go live on Instagram from a good, solid foundation. Unlike other video formats, live streaming offers no retakes, no edits, and no opportunity to undo your mistakes. For this reason, you need to have a good idea of what you’re going to be covering and how it’s going to work.
Here are some ideas, tips, and advice for making the most of your Instagram live streaming for your business, and how you can ensure you’re an insta-hit and not a flop-agram.
Ideas for Instagram live streaming videos
You May Also Like: How to Create Instagram Business Account >>
Before you can start thinking about how to start a live video on Instagram, you need to have a topic. Live streams really can be about anything, but some tried and tested formats work a little better than others. For example:
- Q and A sessions: If you’ve got a product, service, or knowledge base to draw upon, invite interaction with your viewers for a session of questions and answers
- Instant feedback: Show you care and that you’re listening by inviting feedback on a new product or recent activity you’ve been involved with
- Behind the scenes: Viewers love to see how businesses operate, so why not take them on a tour of your warehouse or while you’re getting ready for a trade show?
- Tutorials and insight: Whatever your industry, you can be confident you know more than just about anyone else about what you do. Teach them how to use a product, give tips on getting the best from your service, or give them some insider tips that only you know
- Special guest features: You don’t have to have celebrity connections, but if you can rope in an influencer or brand to do an interview session with you, you’ll have double the traffic with your fans and theirs
- Comment on the comments: You’ll find a world of inspiration in your own direct messages and comments sections. Sure, much of it will be inane drivel, but just occasionally there is a
- Wonderful and wacky: Never underestimate the power of the unexpected. Sometimes just doing something a bit weird or unusual is enough to captivate a bigger audience than ever!
Hopefully, these ideas for Instagram live streaming videos have given you some nuggets of inspiration to start your own amazing stream. What works for you will depend on your overall goal, whether you’re promoting a product, offering a service, or simply solidifying your position as an industry influencer. Brainstorm ideas before you begin, and keep a list of ideas on your desk, to add to as new motivation arises.
Eleven Live video tips
You know you’re going to get noticed when you start a live broadcast on Instagram, so it’s important to get it the right the first time. Make the most of every Instagram live streaming opportunity you get with our 11 awesome live video tips:
- Check who has tuned in: You can find out who’s watching your feed by tapping the eye icon in the corner of the screen. Viewers love a bit of interaction, so if you’ve got a regular viewer or a username you recognize, be sure to give them a shout out to acknowledge their visit.
- Make sure people know what you’re broadcasting about: Being clear about what your video is covering is a great way to get people hooked, and to keep them there. You can do this easily by pinning a comment that describes or offers a ‘title’ for your live feed.
- Keep reminding them why they came here: Your viewers chose to watch your Instagram live streaming session because there was a nugget they wanted a piece of. Whether it’s a product reveal, a key piece of info, or a tutorial on something, keep reminding them why they’re watching to maintain interest and stop them from leaving.
- Request direct messages: If you’ve got a popular live stream going, the number of comments can be overwhelming, to say the least, and can interfere with the flow of the video. Ask people with specific questions or comments to DM your account and take the time to reply to all of them once you’ve finished.
- Change the view: You can make your live broadcast more engaging and interesting by switching what the viewers see from time to time. Do this by reversing the view of your camera, maybe to show off a product or to see what is around you.
- Say no to trolls: The internet is full of them, and it can be highly frustrating to have to deal with someone trying to disrupt your broadcast. Rather than turning off all the comments, which defeats part of the object of live streaming, click the ‘X’ next to the user’s name to mute their comments instead.
- Save the videos you make: We learn as we go, particularly with new activities that we don’t have much experience of, so don’t forget to save your video so you can watch it back later. Don’t beat yourself up when you view your own video but do take note of what you love and what you hate so you can improve for the future.
- Announce and follow up each live broadcast: Announce your plan to do some Instagram live streaming with a post or story, so people know where to come and when. After, you can create a follow-up post or story to share with those who couldn’t make it along to the live broadcast, highlighting what happened and letting them know when you’re streaming next.
- Answer all those questions: Remember you asked your viewers to DM your account with their specific questions or comments? Well, now you need to keep your promise and reply to all those messages! Set aside sometime straight after your stream to do this, so that they aren’t kept waiting for a reply.
- Note your results: Keep a record of how many people watched your broadcast, and other useful metrics such as how many direct messages you got, or product inquiries were generated. This will help you evaluate which videos work the best for you, and to play your Instagram live streaming activities for the future.
- Be cool and calm: You’ve got this. There’s no need to panic if things wander off-topic, or if everything is not going quite as you planned; just take a deep breath and steer things back in the direction you wanted. Remember; people have tuned in to see you being you, so relax, be yourself, and enjoy the moment.
When you’re thinking about how to go live on Instagram with your business, product, or personality, keep these top tips in mind for a more successful outcome. Do you have any more tips on how to start a live video on Instagram? If you’ve tried live streaming already, what would you recommend to others in your position? Let us know!
Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
On Instagram live streaming is given the top spot in terms of billing; it appears as a number one priority in user’s feeds, so if you’re on a mission to get noticed, finding out how to go live on Instagram has to be a priority. However, it’s not easy to get it right. If you’re wondering how to start a live video on Instagram, and what it should be about, we’ve got all the answers you need right here.
- How to Go Live on Instagram - Step by step
- How to make good use of Instagram live video for business
- Eleven Live video tips
How to Go Live on Instagram - Step by step
If you’re in the market to find out how to start a live video on Instagram, this step by step guide will get you Instagram live streaming in no time. Check out our three key steps for how to start a live video on Instagram and have a go at your first stream too.
Step 1: Start Instagram live streaming
You might think it’s obvious how to go live on Instagram, but it’s actually not as straightforward as you might think. To start an Instagram broadcast you need to begin by tapping on the ‘Your Story’ photo at the top of the menu. You’ll see a little plus sign next to it in blue. If you’ve been scrolling through your feed then this bar may have disappeared, in which case you’ll need to tap the camera button at the top left to bring it back again.
Now you should be in your story menu, which will let you choose one of three available options.
- Live: This is Instagram live streaming, which disappears instantly once the broadcast is complete.
- Normal: Here you can add a photo or video which will be available for 24 hours
- Boomerang: This is for uploading a batch of photos which are stitched together to create a time-lapse type video
For the purposes of Instagram live streaming, you’ll need to slide on over to the ‘Live’ option.
Before you begin broadcasting, however, check out your settings to ensure the right people can (or can’t) see the broadcast. You can also edit who is allowed to message you about this story, and block anyone you know to be a troll, for example. The ‘save shared photos’ setting does not work on your live streams, however, you can save your broadcast to your camera roll once you’ve finished the stream, thanks to a feature introduced by Instagram last year.
Now you’re all set. Check that your camera is pointing the right way, take a deep breath, and hit ‘Start Live Video’ once you’re sure you’re ready to start.
Step 2: Manage the stream
When thinking about how to go live on Instagram, it’s worth considering how you will manage your broadcast whilst in full flow. There are a few key settings built into Instagram which will help you to do this:
- Viewer count: Up in the top right corner of your screen, you’ll see a number next to an eye. This tells you how many people are currently watching your stream. Keeping an eye on when people exit or join will give you some indication of how engaging they are finding your content.
- Comments: At the bottom, you’ll see a comment field, which will display comments made by your viewers. If you’re great at multi-tasking you can respond to comments as you go or ask people to message you their input, so you can reply to them after the stream. If you want to turn off commenting, tap the three dots in the bottom right corner.
- Likes: Viewers can express their love for your video in real-time, which you’ll see as a heart animation. Feel free to thank them and encourage additional likes where you can.
- Time broadcasting: Tap the little button that says ‘live’ to see how long your stream has been broadcasting.
- Block user: To see who’s watching, tap the little eye that is counting your viewers. If someone is becoming a nuisance, simply click the ‘x’ next to their name to remove them from your stream.
Effective management of your stream is crucial, so ensure you are confident enough with what you want to cover in your broadcast that you can do this without interrupting your flow. Remember, there are no retakes with this type of content, so when planning how to start a live video on Instagram, make sure you dedicate enough time to the preparation to put you in a great position for an awesome video first time.
Step 3: End the broadcast and wrap it up
To end your stream, simply hit the ‘end’ button in the top right of your screen. Instagram will return the limited analytics they hold for your stream, which is basically just the number of viewers. Unfortunately, Instagram Analytics doesn’t record data about your live streams, so it’s important to record this yourself for future reference. Either take a screenshot or note it down in some other way, so you can see how your different video topics return different results.
If you made any promises during your live stream, now is the time to keep them. Set aside a bit of time immediately after your video to follow up any direct messages, respond to any questions you might have had, and to send on any information as promised. Your followers will appreciate your swift response.
How to make good use of Instagram live video for business
It’s crucial to start figuring out how to go live on Instagram from a good, solid foundation. Unlike other video formats, live streaming offers no retakes, no edits, and no opportunity to undo your mistakes. For this reason, you need to have a good idea of what you’re going to be covering and how it’s going to work.
Here are some ideas, tips, and advice for making the most of your Instagram live streaming for your business, and how you can ensure you’re an insta-hit and not a flop-agram.
Ideas for Instagram live streaming videos
You May Also Like: How to Create Instagram Business Account >>
Before you can start thinking about how to start a live video on Instagram, you need to have a topic. Live streams really can be about anything, but some tried and tested formats work a little better than others. For example:
- Q and A sessions: If you’ve got a product, service, or knowledge base to draw upon, invite interaction with your viewers for a session of questions and answers
- Instant feedback: Show you care and that you’re listening by inviting feedback on a new product or recent activity you’ve been involved with
- Behind the scenes: Viewers love to see how businesses operate, so why not take them on a tour of your warehouse or while you’re getting ready for a trade show?
- Tutorials and insight: Whatever your industry, you can be confident you know more than just about anyone else about what you do. Teach them how to use a product, give tips on getting the best from your service, or give them some insider tips that only you know
- Special guest features: You don’t have to have celebrity connections, but if you can rope in an influencer or brand to do an interview session with you, you’ll have double the traffic with your fans and theirs
- Comment on the comments: You’ll find a world of inspiration in your own direct messages and comments sections. Sure, much of it will be inane drivel, but just occasionally there is a
- Wonderful and wacky: Never underestimate the power of the unexpected. Sometimes just doing something a bit weird or unusual is enough to captivate a bigger audience than ever!
Hopefully, these ideas for Instagram live streaming videos have given you some nuggets of inspiration to start your own amazing stream. What works for you will depend on your overall goal, whether you’re promoting a product, offering a service, or simply solidifying your position as an industry influencer. Brainstorm ideas before you begin, and keep a list of ideas on your desk, to add to as new motivation arises.
Eleven Live video tips
You know you’re going to get noticed when you start a live broadcast on Instagram, so it’s important to get it the right the first time. Make the most of every Instagram live streaming opportunity you get with our 11 awesome live video tips:
- Check who has tuned in: You can find out who’s watching your feed by tapping the eye icon in the corner of the screen. Viewers love a bit of interaction, so if you’ve got a regular viewer or a username you recognize, be sure to give them a shout out to acknowledge their visit.
- Make sure people know what you’re broadcasting about: Being clear about what your video is covering is a great way to get people hooked, and to keep them there. You can do this easily by pinning a comment that describes or offers a ‘title’ for your live feed.
- Keep reminding them why they came here: Your viewers chose to watch your Instagram live streaming session because there was a nugget they wanted a piece of. Whether it’s a product reveal, a key piece of info, or a tutorial on something, keep reminding them why they’re watching to maintain interest and stop them from leaving.
- Request direct messages: If you’ve got a popular live stream going, the number of comments can be overwhelming, to say the least, and can interfere with the flow of the video. Ask people with specific questions or comments to DM your account and take the time to reply to all of them once you’ve finished.
- Change the view: You can make your live broadcast more engaging and interesting by switching what the viewers see from time to time. Do this by reversing the view of your camera, maybe to show off a product or to see what is around you.
- Say no to trolls: The internet is full of them, and it can be highly frustrating to have to deal with someone trying to disrupt your broadcast. Rather than turning off all the comments, which defeats part of the object of live streaming, click the ‘X’ next to the user’s name to mute their comments instead.
- Save the videos you make: We learn as we go, particularly with new activities that we don’t have much experience of, so don’t forget to save your video so you can watch it back later. Don’t beat yourself up when you view your own video but do take note of what you love and what you hate so you can improve for the future.
- Announce and follow up each live broadcast: Announce your plan to do some Instagram live streaming with a post or story, so people know where to come and when. After, you can create a follow-up post or story to share with those who couldn’t make it along to the live broadcast, highlighting what happened and letting them know when you’re streaming next.
- Answer all those questions: Remember you asked your viewers to DM your account with their specific questions or comments? Well, now you need to keep your promise and reply to all those messages! Set aside sometime straight after your stream to do this, so that they aren’t kept waiting for a reply.
- Note your results: Keep a record of how many people watched your broadcast, and other useful metrics such as how many direct messages you got, or product inquiries were generated. This will help you evaluate which videos work the best for you, and to play your Instagram live streaming activities for the future.
- Be cool and calm: You’ve got this. There’s no need to panic if things wander off-topic, or if everything is not going quite as you planned; just take a deep breath and steer things back in the direction you wanted. Remember; people have tuned in to see you being you, so relax, be yourself, and enjoy the moment.
When you’re thinking about how to go live on Instagram with your business, product, or personality, keep these top tips in mind for a more successful outcome. Do you have any more tips on how to start a live video on Instagram? If you’ve tried live streaming already, what would you recommend to others in your position? Let us know!
Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox
Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions
On Instagram live streaming is given the top spot in terms of billing; it appears as a number one priority in user’s feeds, so if you’re on a mission to get noticed, finding out how to go live on Instagram has to be a priority. However, it’s not easy to get it right. If you’re wondering how to start a live video on Instagram, and what it should be about, we’ve got all the answers you need right here.
- How to Go Live on Instagram - Step by step
- How to make good use of Instagram live video for business
- Eleven Live video tips
How to Go Live on Instagram - Step by step
If you’re in the market to find out how to start a live video on Instagram, this step by step guide will get you Instagram live streaming in no time. Check out our three key steps for how to start a live video on Instagram and have a go at your first stream too.
Step 1: Start Instagram live streaming
You might think it’s obvious how to go live on Instagram, but it’s actually not as straightforward as you might think. To start an Instagram broadcast you need to begin by tapping on the ‘Your Story’ photo at the top of the menu. You’ll see a little plus sign next to it in blue. If you’ve been scrolling through your feed then this bar may have disappeared, in which case you’ll need to tap the camera button at the top left to bring it back again.
Now you should be in your story menu, which will let you choose one of three available options.
- Live: This is Instagram live streaming, which disappears instantly once the broadcast is complete.
- Normal: Here you can add a photo or video which will be available for 24 hours
- Boomerang: This is for uploading a batch of photos which are stitched together to create a time-lapse type video
For the purposes of Instagram live streaming, you’ll need to slide on over to the ‘Live’ option.
Before you begin broadcasting, however, check out your settings to ensure the right people can (or can’t) see the broadcast. You can also edit who is allowed to message you about this story, and block anyone you know to be a troll, for example. The ‘save shared photos’ setting does not work on your live streams, however, you can save your broadcast to your camera roll once you’ve finished the stream, thanks to a feature introduced by Instagram last year.
Now you’re all set. Check that your camera is pointing the right way, take a deep breath, and hit ‘Start Live Video’ once you’re sure you’re ready to start.
Step 2: Manage the stream
When thinking about how to go live on Instagram, it’s worth considering how you will manage your broadcast whilst in full flow. There are a few key settings built into Instagram which will help you to do this:
- Viewer count: Up in the top right corner of your screen, you’ll see a number next to an eye. This tells you how many people are currently watching your stream. Keeping an eye on when people exit or join will give you some indication of how engaging they are finding your content.
- Comments: At the bottom, you’ll see a comment field, which will display comments made by your viewers. If you’re great at multi-tasking you can respond to comments as you go or ask people to message you their input, so you can reply to them after the stream. If you want to turn off commenting, tap the three dots in the bottom right corner.
- Likes: Viewers can express their love for your video in real-time, which you’ll see as a heart animation. Feel free to thank them and encourage additional likes where you can.
- Time broadcasting: Tap the little button that says ‘live’ to see how long your stream has been broadcasting.
- Block user: To see who’s watching, tap the little eye that is counting your viewers. If someone is becoming a nuisance, simply click the ‘x’ next to their name to remove them from your stream.
Effective management of your stream is crucial, so ensure you are confident enough with what you want to cover in your broadcast that you can do this without interrupting your flow. Remember, there are no retakes with this type of content, so when planning how to start a live video on Instagram, make sure you dedicate enough time to the preparation to put you in a great position for an awesome video first time.
Step 3: End the broadcast and wrap it up
To end your stream, simply hit the ‘end’ button in the top right of your screen. Instagram will return the limited analytics they hold for your stream, which is basically just the number of viewers. Unfortunately, Instagram Analytics doesn’t record data about your live streams, so it’s important to record this yourself for future reference. Either take a screenshot or note it down in some other way, so you can see how your different video topics return different results.
If you made any promises during your live stream, now is the time to keep them. Set aside a bit of time immediately after your video to follow up any direct messages, respond to any questions you might have had, and to send on any information as promised. Your followers will appreciate your swift response.
How to make good use of Instagram live video for business
It’s crucial to start figuring out how to go live on Instagram from a good, solid foundation. Unlike other video formats, live streaming offers no retakes, no edits, and no opportunity to undo your mistakes. For this reason, you need to have a good idea of what you’re going to be covering and how it’s going to work.
Here are some ideas, tips, and advice for making the most of your Instagram live streaming for your business, and how you can ensure you’re an insta-hit and not a flop-agram.
Ideas for Instagram live streaming videos
You May Also Like: How to Create Instagram Business Account >>
Before you can start thinking about how to start a live video on Instagram, you need to have a topic. Live streams really can be about anything, but some tried and tested formats work a little better than others. For example:
- Q and A sessions: If you’ve got a product, service, or knowledge base to draw upon, invite interaction with your viewers for a session of questions and answers
- Instant feedback: Show you care and that you’re listening by inviting feedback on a new product or recent activity you’ve been involved with
- Behind the scenes: Viewers love to see how businesses operate, so why not take them on a tour of your warehouse or while you’re getting ready for a trade show?
- Tutorials and insight: Whatever your industry, you can be confident you know more than just about anyone else about what you do. Teach them how to use a product, give tips on getting the best from your service, or give them some insider tips that only you know
- Special guest features: You don’t have to have celebrity connections, but if you can rope in an influencer or brand to do an interview session with you, you’ll have double the traffic with your fans and theirs
- Comment on the comments: You’ll find a world of inspiration in your own direct messages and comments sections. Sure, much of it will be inane drivel, but just occasionally there is a
- Wonderful and wacky: Never underestimate the power of the unexpected. Sometimes just doing something a bit weird or unusual is enough to captivate a bigger audience than ever!
Hopefully, these ideas for Instagram live streaming videos have given you some nuggets of inspiration to start your own amazing stream. What works for you will depend on your overall goal, whether you’re promoting a product, offering a service, or simply solidifying your position as an industry influencer. Brainstorm ideas before you begin, and keep a list of ideas on your desk, to add to as new motivation arises.
Eleven Live video tips
You know you’re going to get noticed when you start a live broadcast on Instagram, so it’s important to get it the right the first time. Make the most of every Instagram live streaming opportunity you get with our 11 awesome live video tips:
- Check who has tuned in: You can find out who’s watching your feed by tapping the eye icon in the corner of the screen. Viewers love a bit of interaction, so if you’ve got a regular viewer or a username you recognize, be sure to give them a shout out to acknowledge their visit.
- Make sure people know what you’re broadcasting about: Being clear about what your video is covering is a great way to get people hooked, and to keep them there. You can do this easily by pinning a comment that describes or offers a ‘title’ for your live feed.
- Keep reminding them why they came here: Your viewers chose to watch your Instagram live streaming session because there was a nugget they wanted a piece of. Whether it’s a product reveal, a key piece of info, or a tutorial on something, keep reminding them why they’re watching to maintain interest and stop them from leaving.
- Request direct messages: If you’ve got a popular live stream going, the number of comments can be overwhelming, to say the least, and can interfere with the flow of the video. Ask people with specific questions or comments to DM your account and take the time to reply to all of them once you’ve finished.
- Change the view: You can make your live broadcast more engaging and interesting by switching what the viewers see from time to time. Do this by reversing the view of your camera, maybe to show off a product or to see what is around you.
- Say no to trolls: The internet is full of them, and it can be highly frustrating to have to deal with someone trying to disrupt your broadcast. Rather than turning off all the comments, which defeats part of the object of live streaming, click the ‘X’ next to the user’s name to mute their comments instead.
- Save the videos you make: We learn as we go, particularly with new activities that we don’t have much experience of, so don’t forget to save your video so you can watch it back later. Don’t beat yourself up when you view your own video but do take note of what you love and what you hate so you can improve for the future.
- Announce and follow up each live broadcast: Announce your plan to do some Instagram live streaming with a post or story, so people know where to come and when. After, you can create a follow-up post or story to share with those who couldn’t make it along to the live broadcast, highlighting what happened and letting them know when you’re streaming next.
- Answer all those questions: Remember you asked your viewers to DM your account with their specific questions or comments? Well, now you need to keep your promise and reply to all those messages! Set aside sometime straight after your stream to do this, so that they aren’t kept waiting for a reply.
- Note your results: Keep a record of how many people watched your broadcast, and other useful metrics such as how many direct messages you got, or product inquiries were generated. This will help you evaluate which videos work the best for you, and to play your Instagram live streaming activities for the future.
- Be cool and calm: You’ve got this. There’s no need to panic if things wander off-topic, or if everything is not going quite as you planned; just take a deep breath and steer things back in the direction you wanted. Remember; people have tuned in to see you being you, so relax, be yourself, and enjoy the moment.
When you’re thinking about how to go live on Instagram with your business, product, or personality, keep these top tips in mind for a more successful outcome. Do you have any more tips on how to start a live video on Instagram? If you’ve tried live streaming already, what would you recommend to others in your position? Let us know!
Shanoon Cox
Shanoon Cox is a writer and a lover of all things video.
Follow @Shanoon Cox
Also read:
- 2024 Approved Unveiling Anonymous Access to Instagram Story Content on Desktops/Tablets & Smartphones (No Cost)
- Synchronizing With Instagram Perfect Video Integration for 2024
- In 2024, Instagram Visuals Adding Value with 3 Strategic Video Descriptions
- [New] Mastering Instagram’s Latest Features Reels & Stories
- [New] The Ultimate Guide to 10 Must-Have IG Video Editing Tools
- Top-Notch Hacks Navigating Instagram's Forgotten Features for 2024
- [New] In 2024, Uncloaking Sham Followers on Your Instagram Network
- [New] 2024 Approved Mastering the Use of Custom GIFs in Your Instagram Stories
- 2024 Approved Streamlining Social Media Multiplying Instagram Posts via Photos & Videos
- [Updated] Sounding Superior A Guide to Altering Voice on Reels & Stories
- [New] Manual How to Turn Off IGTV
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Discover the Best Instagram Video Editors for Mobile Devices
- 2024 Approved Insta-Angle Alchemy Crafting Content with a Twist for Maximum Impact
- [New] Mastering the Art of Larger Video Posts in Instagram for 2024
- [New] 2024 Approved Sonic Storytelling How to Enhance IG Stories with Melodies
- Cracking the Code to Niche Celeb Content Creators on Insta for 2024
- 2024 Approved Instagram Film Techniques Flawless Virtual Backdrops Integration
- [Updated] Kick-Starting a Captivating Instagram Live
- [New] The Comprehensive List of Instagram Tracking Tools for Better Decisions for 2024
- [New] Ideal Tools to Craft Professional IGTV Videos for 2024
- Comparing Reels & Stories What's Your Preference for 2024
- [Updated] From Screens to Stories Vertical Video Mastery with FCPX for 2024
- The Rhythm Rulebook Seamlessly Mixing Music Into Instagram Posts
- [New] Captivating Collage Creations IG for 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, The Essential Guide to Sharing Art on Public Platforms Responsibly
- [Updated] Elevate Your Influence Mastering Instagram Engagement for 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, From Amateur to Pro Excelling at Instagram Editing
- [New] 2024 Approved Mastering the Art of Inverted Lookups on Instagram Posts
- [Updated] How to Master the Art of Instagram Videos' Length Adjustments
- [New] In 2024, How to Add Captions to Instagram Videos
- [New] Amass a Million in Moments Join Instagram's Elite
- [Updated] Quick Tips Efficiently Post Videos on IGTV
- [Updated] Top-Notch Hacks Navigating Instagram's Forgotten Features for 2024
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Navigating Instagram's Video Talk Essentials
- 2024 Approved Capturing Attention How to Edit & Crop Videography for Instagram Success
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Streamline Your Instagram Top 8 Planning Apps for iOS/Android Devices
- [Updated] In 2024, Elite Architects Pioneering Instagram HLV Makers
- [Updated] 2024 Approved StoryStitcher Compelling Collage for Instagram Users
- Turn the Tape Counterclockwise Instagram's Reverse Play Technique for 2024
- [New] 2024 Approved Step-by-Step Save Instagram Videos on Desktop Devices
- 2024 Approved Maximizing Impact with Instagram's New Algorithm Insights
- [Updated] 3 Tactics to Enhance Your Instagram Film's Look for 2024
- [Updated] The Best Hash Tracking Apps A Comprehensive Review (FB/Twitter/Insta)
- [Updated] 2024 Approved Mastering Privacy Stopping Followers on IG
- Instagram Upload Recycling 101 for 2024
- [Updated] A Seamless Transition From Aspect Ratio to Square on Instagram with iMovie for 2024
- In 2024, How to Remove a Previously Synced Google Account from Your Realme GT Neo 5 SE
- New Top 10 Premium-Free Audio Streaming Apps IOS & Android Edition for 2024
- In 2024, How Do You Get Sun Stone Evolutions in Pokémon For Samsung Galaxy M14 4G? | Dr.fone
- Top 10 Telegram Spy Tools On Samsung Galaxy M14 5G for Parents | Dr.fone
- In 2024, Pro Tips for Rapidly Creating Effective Subtitles on FB
- New Precision Listening Top Audio Customization Techniques
- New 10 Best Nature Sounds Apps for iOS and Android
- 2024 Approved Nightscape Notables Tips for Capturing Starlit Portraits
- [New] Maximizing Your Platforms Posting TikTok Content on Twitter
- Immediate Visuals The Fastest 4 Ways To Snip on Chrome OS for 2024
- In 2024, How to Transfer Data from Xiaomi Redmi Note 12 Pro+ 5G to Samsung Phone | Dr.fone
- In 2024, How To Check if Your Oppo Reno 11F 5G Is Unlocked
- [Updated] Audio Take From Twitter Video Sources for 2024
- New Best Photo Video Makers for Stunning Visual Storytelling for 2024
- Premier Racing Experience Series (Top 5) for 2024
- Updated How to Remove or Mute Audio in Video with Android Phones, In 2024
- 3 Effective Ways to Bypass Activation Lock on iPhone 6 Plus
- Finding Balance in FB Sharing A Guide to Aspect Ratio Knowledge
- Windows Movie Maker Alternatives 6 Best Video Editing Software
- 2024 Approved Highest Quality Capture Software Showdown
- [Updated] In 2024, Camera Operational OBS Challenge Won
- In 2024, Discord Live Stream Recording Guide
- In 2024, How to Unlock T-Mobile iPhone 14 online without SIM Card?
- [New] In 2024, Effortless Timelapse on iPad Capturing
- In 2024, 4 Most-Known Ways to Find Someone on Tinder For Realme C53 by Name | Dr.fone
- 5 Easy Ways to Copy Contacts from Poco C65 to iPhone 14 and 15 | Dr.fone
- Redmi Note 13 Pro+ 5G support - Forgotten screen lock.
- [New] In 2024, How to Create Facebook Video Ads with FREE Video Creation Kit?
- In 2024, 10 Free Location Spoofers to Fake GPS Location on your Samsung Galaxy S24 | Dr.fone
- New 10 Catchy Pixel Art Wallpapers and How to Custom Your Own with Ease
- In 2024, How to Lock Apps on Vivo T2 Pro 5G to Protect Your Individual Information
- The Easiest Methods to Hard Reset Nubia Z50S Pro | Dr.fone
- Is GSM Flasher ADB Legit? Full Review To Bypass Your Vivo Y36iFRP Lock
- [Updated] Unlock Advanced Features of OBS Studio on Android Platforms
- How to Screen Mirroring HTC U23? | Dr.fone
- In 2024, 5 Ways to Move Contacts From Motorola Moto G73 5G to iPhone (13/14/15) | Dr.fone
- In 2024, Unlock Motorola Moto G04 Phone Password Without Factory Reset Full Guide Here
- New Fusing Cinematics with Soundtracks Innovations and Tips
- Recover Deleted iPhone 13 mini WhatsApp Attachments on Mac and Windows | Stellar
- 5 Hassle-Free Solutions to Fake Location on Find My Friends Of Nokia C210 | Dr.fone
- Best Video Editing Apps for Windows 11 Free, Paid, and Everything in Between for 2024
- [Updated] In 2024, Exceptional HD Video Capturing Options Compiled Here
- Title: "Mastering Instagram Launch Your Live Session"
- Author: Robert
- Created at : 2024-05-21 14:58:03
- Updated at : 2024-05-22 14:58:03
- Link: https://instagram-video-files.techidaily.com/mastering-instagram-launch-your-live-session/
- License: This work is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.