Right, let me tell you about this fantastic chat I had with Chloe the other day. We were bouncing around ideas for using LinkedIn to really boost business, and we landed on something I think is pure gold: interactive LinkedIn Live events. It’s not just broadcasting; it’s building genuine connections and positioning yourself as a go-to expert. Let me walk you through it.
The Spark: Engagement is King
Chloe rightly pointed out that simply posting articles or sharing content, while important, is passive. We need to actively engage and bring potential clients into a conversation. That’s where LinkedIn Live comes in. The key is to go beyond just lecturing and transform it into a two-way street. We need to think “interaction” from the get-go.
Crafting the Interactive Experience
Here’s the blueprint we sketched out:
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Targeted Topics: First, and this is crucial, understand your ideal client like the back of your hand. What keeps them up at night? What problems are they desperately trying to solve? Your live event should address those pain points directly. Don’t just talk about what you find interesting; focus on what your audience needs. For example, if you sell marketing automation software, a live session on ‘Overcoming Common Marketing Automation Pitfalls’ will resonate more than a general overview of the platform.
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Polling Power: Live polls are pure genius for immediate engagement. Use them frequently! Ask simple, relevant questions related to the topic. For example, “What’s your biggest challenge with lead generation right now?” or “What’s your favourite LinkedIn content type to consume?”. Not only does it make the event interactive, but it also provides invaluable insights into your audience’s needs and challenges, which you can address in real-time. We discussed using poll results to steer the conversation, diving deeper into areas where attendees show the most interest.
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The Q&A Goldmine: A dedicated Q&A segment is essential. Encourage attendees to submit questions throughout the session. Chloe suggested using a screen share to display the questions prominently, making it feel more personal. Answer honestly and provide actionable advice. Don’t be afraid to say, “That’s a great question, and here’s what I’ve seen work…” or “I’d need a little more information to give you a truly personalised answer, but in general…” Authenticity builds trust.
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Guest Speaker Magic: Consider inviting a guest speaker – an industry expert, a happy client, or someone with a complementary skillset. It adds credibility, provides a fresh perspective, and expands your reach. When thinking about finding your guest speaker you should look at finding the perfect one with complimentary skills so they don’t directly compete with you. The right guest will bring a new audience to your attention, be aware of what is relevant to your audience and make the even more interesting and engaging. The chat should be more about an interview with the guest speaker. When searching for your guest speaker, you need to engage them well in advance of the talk, so that you can be certain of their availability, and allow them to prepare.
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Promote, Promote, Promote: No one will attend if they don’t know about it! Start promoting your LinkedIn Live event well in advance. Create engaging posts, use relevant hashtags, and even consider a short video teaser. Send personalized invitations to key contacts.
Example: Consulting & Coaching
Chloe gave me a brilliant example. Imagine you’re a business coach. You could host a LinkedIn Live on “Three Strategies for Boosting Your Team’s Productivity.” Use polls to gauge the audience’s biggest productivity challenges. Invite a successful entrepreneur as a guest to share their practical tips. Dedicate ample time for Q&A.
Beyond the Broadcast: Leveraging the Content
The beauty of LinkedIn Live doesn’t end when the broadcast stops. Repurpose the recording! Chop it into shorter clips for social media. Transcribe the Q&A and create a blog post. Use the poll results to inform your future content strategy. The event itself is just the beginning.
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it. My conversation with Chloe really opened my eyes to the power of interactive LinkedIn Live events. By understanding your audience, crafting engaging content, and actively encouraging participation, you can create a platform for building genuine connections, establishing yourself as a thought leader, and generating new business. It’s about moving beyond simply broadcasting information to fostering a real, valuable dialogue. It’s definitely something I’m putting into practice, and I highly recommend you do too!
