Engagement nowadays is a two-way street. Businesses need to utilize platforms that enable that. One such avenue is live commerce. It allows real-time engagement where fans can tune in and let their sentiments and questions be known immediately.
Thus, unsurprisingly, live commerce has a conversion rate 10 times higher compared to traditional e-commerce methods. Of all the platforms available today, Instagram Live is one of the most popular. In this article, you can find strategies for fun and engaging live sessions that will allow you to engage and sell.
Understanding the basics of Instagram live
@hobonichi_global Instagram Live, January 26, 2024
You can use Instagram Live to introduce new products and let your audience be familiar with them before the release date Instagram Live is a feature on the social networking platform that lets users broadcast live to their followers.
You will find these on the Instagram Stories feed. They are the first circles you will see to tell you, “Hey, this account you are following is live now.” This creates a sense of excitement and exclusivity, as it disappears as soon as the live ends.
Key features of Instagram Live include
@nomkakaii Instagram Live notification
Live notifications will appear as pop-ups or on the notification bank of a user’s device when enabled
- Real-Time Interaction. Viewers can post comments and reactions during the broadcast.
- Notification Alerts. Instagram sends notifications to users when an account they follow goes live.
- Save Option. Users can save their live videos and let people who missed them watch them from their feed.
The significance of real-time engagement with your audience
Instagram Live offers a unique opportunity for businesses to connect with their audience immediately and authentically. By broadcasting on the platform, businesses can:
- Build Trust and Relationships. They can address comments and answer questions in real-time, establishing a more personal connection with the audience.
- Increase Engagement. Hosts of live broadcasts can keep viewers engaged with live polls and encourage questions to foster stronger bonds.
- Gain Valuable Audience Insights. Since hosts can see viewers’ comments in real-time, they can gain insight into the immediate concerns of their viewers.
Key statistics on Instagram Live usage and its impact on businesses
Instagram Live has become a popular tool for live selling. Here are some statistics that can help you gain a fuller picture of how big Instagram Live is in the live selling space:
- Instagram users spend an average of 12 hours on the platform per month.
- Nearly 40% of marketers choose Instagram Live as their go-to platform for live broadcasts.
- Around 13% of marketing companies leverage Instagram Live as a core marketing tool, showcasing its growing importance for audience engagement.
Preparing for your Instagram Live session
Source: @just_anotherchris for Live Streaming Pros on YouTube
When it comes to hosting a successful Instagram Live session, preparation is key. Here’s what you need to consider:
1. Choosing the right time to go live
If you have a global audience, it can be tricky to find the right time to go live. But once you uncover your account’s peak engagement hours, you can schedule your live stream accordingly. In this way, you can maximize engagement.
2. Promoting your live session
@makoccinos promotes their upcoming live painting session a day before on Instagram
You can drive excitement for a scheduled Instagram Live session, too. You can remind followers by posting Stories, uploading memos on your feed, and cross-posting to other platforms about the event. You can enable followers to make sure they do not miss your live session by allowing them to set reminders with a tap.
3. Technical setup and requirements
You can choose your broadcast audience before you go live and even add a title to the session.
Most Instagram Live sessions are held directly from people’s phones or tablets. This creates a moment of intimacy and not just engagement. Brands can take a similar approach. However, they should ensure a stable Internet connection, proper lighting, and aesthetic backdrops.
Engaging content ideas for your live sessions
@mizutamahanco Instagram Live, January 25, 2024
They set up and designed a journal page during their live session
Capturing and maintaining your audience’s attention during an Instagram Live session requires engaging storytelling content. Here are some ideas to inspire your live sessions:
Q&A Sessions
For Instagram Live, you can make a presentation first then conduct a Q&A afterward. Soccer teams like Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal do this to answer questions regarding matches and player acquisitions.
Behind-the-Scenes
Leverage the power of digital storytelling by taking your audience behind the scenes—show them what goes on during development, production, or even team meetings.
In addition to showcasing your products or services, Instagram Live offers a unique opportunity to connect with your audience on a more personal level. By incorporating elements of online digital storytelling into your broadcasts, you can create engaging and memorable experiences that foster loyalty and build brand trust.
One effective storytelling technique is to share personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes glimpses of your business operations. This humanizes your brand and helps your audience connect with you deeper. Using online digital storytelling to tell your brand’s story, you can differentiate yourself from competitors and create a lasting impression on your audience.
Product Demonstrations and Launches
Launching a new product or service? Make it more immersive by showcasing the benefits and features through live demonstrations. Wrap baby carrier brand Checkoh Baby Carriers is another compelling example of digital storytelling. They have hosted live demos of how parents can safely and effectively use their wraps.
Collaborations with Influencers
Partner with influencers in your niche to co-host Instagram Live sessions and leverage their audience to expand your reach. Collaborative live streams offer mutual benefits, allowing you to tap into new audiences while providing influencers with valuable content for their followers.
Analyzing and leveraging post-live analytics
You can view your Instagram Live insights immediately after a session
or you can check them on the Insights tab.
Instagram Live sessions’ analytics can inform your timing and engagement tactics for future live broadcasts. Here are key metrics to look out for:
Key metrics to watch
- Engagement rates: Social listening metrics such as likes, comments, shares, and interactions let you measure how active your audience is in engaging with your live sessions.
- Viewer count: Track how many viewers tune in to your live broadcasts to gauge reach and interest.
- Audience retention: Assess how well viewers receive your content. In doing so, you can replicate successes in future live sessions.
Using Analytics for future strategies
Leverage post-live analytics to refine your content and engagement tactics, including the best time to post on social media. Identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement to optimize your live content strategy.
How Keyhole can help track Instagram presence
Keyhole can help you monitor and track your presence across various social media sites. Of course, that includes Instagram. The microblogging platform has built-in analytics tools but they are far from comprehensive. Keyhole plugs the gaps by providing deeper insights regarding content that resonates with your audience. Plus, the platform lets you see which countries they are from and what languages they speak.
Additionally, Keyhole lets you compare your account analytics with your competitors’. But how does tracking your competition help with your Instagram presence? You can compare your content with theirs to analyze their popular videos or saved Instagram Live sessions. This way, you can understand what they may be doing that keeps their audience engaged.
Grab opportunities for growth with Instagram Live
Instagram Live is both an opportunity for sales and an avenue to make meaningful connections. Throughout this article, we explored strategies to make the most of the platform.
But Instagram Live itself, as a feature, also evolves. Thus, you must stay informed of the changes to adapt your strategies. That also means staying informed of trends that drive engagement on the app so you can keep your audience’s attention. And because of that, you retain your competitive edge in your niche.
Share your Instagram Live experiences with us and join the conversation. Book a demo for Keyhole today to access advanced analytics and unlock valuable insights for maximizing your online presence.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. How does Instagram Live work?
Instagram Live is a feature that lets you broadcast live videos to your followers in real-time. It's like a mini TV show you create on the spot! Here's a basic rundown:
-You start a live stream through your Instagram app.
-You can choose to go live publicly (for everyone) or privately (to chosen followers).
-Your followers are notified and can tune in to watch your livestream.
-While live, you can interact with your viewers through comments and questions.
-You can even go live with up to three other people for a more interactive session.
2. How long does an Instagram Live last?
An Instagram livestream can last anywhere from 90 seconds to 4 hours. That gives you plenty of flexibility for different types of content.
3. How many followers do you need to go live on Instagram?
You don't need a minimum number of followers to go live on Instagram. Anyone with an Instagram account can use the Live feature!
