How To Go Live On Instagram: A Step-By-Step Guide

Going live on Instagram is an incredibly powerful way to connect with your audience in real time.

Whether you’re a business, influencer, or content creator, Instagram Live allows you to engage directly with your followers, build stronger relationships, and grow your brand on this important social media platform.

At Social Think, we specialize in Instagram Marketing and How to Get More Views on Instagram to help businesses get the most out of platforms like Instagram.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to master Instagram Live and drive real results. Let’s dive in!

What is Instagram Live?

Instagram Live is a feature that allows you to broadcast live videos to your followers in real-time right from the Instagram app. Your live video contents appear in your Instagram Stories and in the Instagram Live section for your followers to view and engage with.

Live videos on Instagram are an authentic, engaging way to connect with your audience. You can see comments and reactions from viewers in real-time, and the unedited, in-the-moment nature makes the experience feel intimate and genuine.

Going live on Instagram is perfect for Q&As, behind-the-scenes content, product demos, interviews, and more, all of which can help build a stronger connection between you and your audience.

What Do You Need to Go Live on Instagram?

The first thing about Instagram Live is you don’t need a complicated setup to get started. All you need is:

• An Instagram account (either a personal account, business account or creator account)
• A phone or tablet with a camera and microphone
• A strong and stable internet connection (WiFi or 4G)
• Good lighting so viewers can see you clearly
• A quiet space to minimize background noise

While you can go live on Instagram with just your phone, a few optional accessories can level up your live streams:

• A tripod to keep your phone steady
• A ring light for better lighting
• An external microphone for better audio quality
• Headphones to monitor your audio

How to Go Live on Instagram?

Now that you know the power of Instagram Live, let’s walk through the steps of actually going live, whether you’re using Instagram on your phone or on your PC.

How to Go Live on Instagram on a Phone?

1. Open the Instagram app and tap the camera icon in the left corner top of the screen to open Instagram Stories
2. Scroll to the “Live” option at the bottom of the screen
3. Tap the gear icon to select your live video settings (like message replies and sharing options)
4. Add a title to your live stream to let people know what it’s about
5. Tap the big “Start Live Video” button to go live
6. The live broadcast will start with a 3 second countdown
7. When you’re done, tap “End” in the top right corner to stop broadcasting

How to Go Live on Instagram on a PC?

Instagram Live is primarily designed for mobile, but you can broadcast from your computer using third-party software like Loola TV, YellowDuck, or Streamlabs OBS. The process involves:

1. Connecting your Instagram account to the software
2. Selecting “Instagram Live” as the streaming destination
3. Setting up your webcam and microphone in the software
4. Adding any graphics, overlays, or backgrounds
5. Clicking “Start Broadcast” in the software to go live

This allows you to use your computer webcam and microphone and have more control over the look and feel of your live stream. However, you’ll still need to engage with comments and viewers from the Instagram app on your phone.

Instagram Live Features To Try

Instagram Live has evolved a lot since it first launched, with new features to make your live streams more interactive and engaging.

Here are some key features to try:

1. Try Practice Mode Before You Go Live

If you’re new to going live on Instagram, practice mode is your best friend. It allows you to test out a live stream in private before actually broadcasting to your followers.

To use practice mode, simply go to start a live video like normal, but choose “Practice” instead of “Start Live Video“. You’ll be able to test out the features, see how you look on camera, and get comfortable before going live for real.

2. Add Pictures and Videos

During your Instagram Live, you can add photos and videos from your camera roll to the broadcast. This is great for sharing behind-the-scenes clips, product shots, or graphics that support your live content.

To share a photo or video, tap the gallery icon in the bottom left corner during your live stream. Choose the photo or video you want to share and it will appear on the live broadcast. You can even Post a Panorama on Instagram this way.

3. Answer Audience Questions With Instagram Stories’ Question Stickers

Before going live, post an Instagram Story using the Questions sticker to gather questions from your audience. Then, during the live stream, you can view the questions and answer them live. This is an excellent way to do an interactive Q&A and provide value to your followers. It can also help increase your Instagram reach organically.

4. Try Instagram Live Rooms

Instagram Live Rooms allow you to go live with up to three other people, opening up possibilities for interviews, discussions, and collaborations. Guests can be invited on the spot or you can schedule Live Rooms in advance.

5. Check Instagram Insights for creator metrics

After your Instagram Live broadcast ends, you can view insights like how many viewers you had, how long they watched, and engagement metrics. Use this data to optimize the timing, content, and promotion of your future live streams.

6. Interact With Your Viewers

The best part about Instagram Live is the ability to interact with viewers in real-time. Acknowledge comments by saying hello and mentioning viewers by name. Pin comments that you want everyone to see. Encourage viewers to submit questions or share their thoughts.

The more you engage with your audience, the more they’ll enjoy the live experience and want to tune in again. Building that relationship is key.

How to Promote Your Instagram Live Stream?

To get the most out of Instagram Live, you need to make sure your target audience knows when you’re going live and what they can expect from the broadcast.

Here are some tips to promote your upcoming Instagram Live:

Post Teaser Videos on your Instagram Feed

Build anticipation by sharing short video clips announcing your upcoming live stream. Tease the specific topic you’ll be covering or special guests you’ll have to get people excited to tune in.

Share a Sneak Peek

Give a behind-the-scenes look at you setting up for the live stream on your Instagram Stories. This exclusive peek will make followers feel special and more compelled to watch the full live video.

Gather Questions in Your Stories

Use the Questions sticker in Instagram Stories to collect questions from your audience ahead of time. This primes them to tune into the live stream to hear their question answered and gives you content to discuss.

Offer Incentives

Give people a reason to watch by offering exclusive discounts, giveaways, or content only available to live viewers. Promote these incentives in your feed and story posts.

Multistream to Other Social Media Platforms

You can use software like Restream to broadcast your Instagram Live simultaneously on Facebook, YouTube, and other platforms. This allows you to reach a wider audience and promote your Instagram content on other channels. Just be sure to follow cross-posting best practices.

Do’s and Don’ts When Going Live on Instagram

To make your Instagram Live streams as successful as possible, keep these best practices in mind:

Do:

1. Have a plan for what you’ll cover in the live video
2. Test everything before going live according to the best time to post on Instagram for engagement
3. Engage with viewers and acknowledge the comment section
4. Stay on topic and keep the live focused
5. Be authentic and show your personality
6. Promote the live stream in advance

Don’t:

1. Wing it without any preparation
2. Ignore or miss comments from viewers
3. Get sidetracked by off-topic conversations
4. Be overly scripted or rehearsed
5. Forget to give people a way to learn more or take action after the live

Instagram Live Best Practices

In addition to the do’s and don’ts, here are some overall best practices to keep in mind with Instagram Live:

1. Go live consistently to train followers to expect and tune into your broadcasts
2. Broadcast for at least 10 minutes to allow enough time for people to join
3. Save your Instagram Live videos to IGTV so people can watch later
4. Track your Instagram Live insights to see when your audience is most engaged
5. Use relevant keywords and hashtags in your live video title to be found
6. Invite guests or go live with others for a fresh perspective
7. Tease exclusive content or perks for live viewers

FAQ’s:

Can Anyone Go Live on Instagram?

Yes, anyone with an Instagram account can go live, but there are a few requirements. Your account must be public, not private. If your account is new, you may need to wait a bit before the live feature is available.

How to Add Another Person to your Instagram Live Stream?

To go live with a guest, start your live video, then tap the two faces icon. You can either invite a viewer who’s already watching or search for someone to invite. The guest will get a notification to join your live.

How Do You Start a Live Video With Another Person?

To start a live video with someone else, open the Instagram Stories camera and select the “Live” option. Then, tap the two faces icon to invite a guest before you start broadcasting.

How Many Followers Do I Need to Go Live on Instagram?

There’s no minimum follower count required to go live on Instagram. As long as your account is public and in good standing, you can start a live video.

Why Can’t I Go Live on Instagram?

If you’re having trouble going live, check that your account is public, you have a strong internet connection, and your app is up to date. If you have a new account, you may need to wait a bit before the live feature is enabled.

How Do I Go Live on Instagram and Facebook at the Same Time?

You can multistream to Facebook and other platforms using third-party software like Restream, Streamlabs OBS, or Yellowduck. This allows you to broadcast simultaneously to multiple platforms.

How Long Can Instagram Live Sessions Last?

Instagram Live sessions can last up to 4 hours per broadcast.

However, it’s recommended to go live for at least 10 minutes to give people time to join and engage.

How to Download your Instagram Live Stream When it’s Over?

After your live broadcast ends, tap the download arrow icon in the top left corner. The video will be saved to your camera roll. You can also choose to share the live video to your Instagram Stories for 24 hours.

Can I Monetize Instagram Live Streams?

While there’s no direct way to monetize within Instagram Live, you can promote products, services, or content that makes you money. For example, you could do an Instagram Live announcing a new product launch or a limited time discount code. You can also look into Instagram ads to monetize your account.

How Do You Check the Number of Viewers?

During an Instagram Live, you’ll see the view count in the top right corner. This shows how many people are currently watching your live video. After the live ends, you can see insights like total viewers in the Instagram app.

How do I Hide Comments on Instagram Live?

If you don’t want comments to show during an Instagram Live, go to your Instagram settings and turn off “Allow Comments” before starting your live video. You can also filter out offensive comments and keywords.

How Do You Save and Share Your Live Video?

After ending an Instagram Live, tap the download arrow icon in the top left corner to save the video to your camera roll. From there, you can edit and share the video as an IGTV, post, or story.

How Do I Get Instagram Live Producer?

Instagram Live Producer is a new feature that allows you to go live from a desktop computer using streaming software. Currently, it’s only available to a small group of beta testers. You can apply for access through Facebook’s Live Producer page.

Conclusion

Going live on Instagram is an incredibly powerful way to grow your brand, engage your audience, and drive real business results. By following the tips and best practices in this guide, you’ll be well on your way to mastering Instagram Live.

The main idea is to be real, chat, and offer something valuable to your audience. Advertise before the live video, interact with comments, and make them eager for more content. By practicing and getting ready, you’ll become skilled at Instagram Live quickly.

Ready to take your Instagram strategy to the next level? Social Think can help. Our team of social media experts specialize in analytics, insights, and strategy to optimize your Instagram presence. From Instagram Live to IGTV to Reels, we stay on the cutting edge of the latest features and best practices.

Whether you want to get free followers, become an influencer, or optimize your business account, we can help. Contact us today to learn more about how Social Think can help you achieve your Instagram goals.