How to Watch LinkedIn Live

LinkedIn Live is more than just a feature, it's a direct channel to live conversations with industry experts, founders, and innovators shaping your professional world. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about finding, watching, and participating in LinkedIn Live events, turning you from a passive scroller into an active participant in your industry's most important conversations.

What Exactly is LinkedIn Live?

LinkedIn Live is the platform's native video streaming service, allowing individuals and organizations to broadcast real-time video content directly to their network of connections and followers. Unlike pre-recorded videos, live streams offer an unfiltered, interactive experience where hosts can engage with their audience through comments and reactions as the event unfolds. It's the modern-day equivalent of an industry conference, a fireside chat, or a university lecture, all accessible from your feed.

Why Livestreams are Worth Your Time

In a world of polished, pre-recorded content, live video cuts through the noise. Tuning into a LinkedIn Live event offers several distinct advantages that can give you a professional edge:

• Direct Access to Experts: Imagine getting your most pressing question answered directly by a CEO, a bestselling author, or the lead developer of software you use every day. LinkedIn Live breaks down the barriers between industry leaders and their audience, giving you a chance to learn from the best in real time.
• Unfiltered, Authentic Content: Live video is often unscripted and raw. You're getting genuine insights, spontaneous thoughts, and honest opinions that you won't find in a carefully edited blog post or corporate report. This authenticity builds trust and provides a more human look at the professionals you admire.
• Powerful Networking Opportunities: The comment section of a live event is a buzzing hub of like-minded professionals. By asking thoughtful questions and engaging with comments from other viewers, you can make meaningful connections with peers who share your interests and career goals.
• Stay Ahead of Industry Trends: Whether it's a panel on the future of AI in marketing or a product launch for a new B2B tool, LinkedIn Live is where breaking news and cutting-edge ideas are discussed as they happen. It's an easy and effective way to stay informed and keep your skills sharp.

How to Discover an Upcoming LinkedIn Live Stream

Finding a live stream you want to watch is simple once you know where to look. LinkedIn gives you multiple ways to discover events, so you can find streams that align perfectly with your professional interests.

1. Keep an Eye on Your Notifications

The easiest way to find live events is to let them find you. LinkedIn actively promotes live streams to relevant audiences. You'll typically get a notification when:

• A person in your network goes live.
• A company or creator you follow schedules a live event.
• Someone in your network is attending an event that LinkedIn's algorithm thinks you'll find interesting.

These notifications are your personal invitation. Clicking on them will take you directly to the event page where you can register your attendance or, if it's already started, join the live broadcast instantly.

2. Spot Live Events in Your Feed

As you scroll through your daily feed, you'll see two types of posts related to LinkedIn Live.

Scheduled Events:

Creators often promote their upcoming live streams days or weeks in advance. These posts look like regular updates but will include a dedicated event widget with the title, date, and time. Look for a blue "Attend" button. Clicking this button adds the event to your LinkedIn events calendar and sets you up to receive a reminder notification shortly before it starts.

Active Live Streams:

When someone is currently live, their broadcast will appear directly in your feed. You can't miss it: the video will have a bright red "LIVE" pill in the corner. You can click to unmute and start watching right there in your feed or expand it to a full-screen view for a more immersive experience.

3. Visit a Creator's Profile or Company Page

If you have specific companies or industry leaders you want to follow, their page is the most reliable place to find their content. Navigate to their profile or company page and look at their recent "Activity." Most organized creators will post about their upcoming session. For Company Pages in particular, there's often a dedicated "Events" tab where you can see a full list of all their upcoming sessions. This is a great way to plan ahead and see what's on their content calendar.

4. Use LinkedIn's Event Search Feature

Want to proactively find events on a specific topic? LinkedIn's search functionality is a powerful tool. Here's how to use it:

1. Go to the search bar at the top of the LinkedIn homepage.
2. Type in a keyword related to your interests, like "project management principles," "content marketing strategy," or "fintech innovation."
3. On the search results page, find the row of filters below the search bar and click on "Events."
4. You'll now see a full page of upcoming virtual events related to your search term. You can further refine your search by date or other parameters. Browse the list to find live streams, webinars, and workshops that catch your eye.

5. Tap into Your LinkedIn Groups

LinkedIn Groups are goldmines for niche content. If you're a member of groups dedicated to your industry or specialty, you'll find people frequently share relevant events there. Because these communities are highly targeted, the live streams shared within them are often more specific and valuable than what you might find in your general feed. Keep an eye on group discussions and announcements for hidden gems.

Joining and Watching a Live Session

You've found an event and registered. Now, what does the live experience look like? And what happens if you can't make it on time?

Attending in Real-Time

When an event you're attending goes live, you should receive a push notification. Clicking it takes you right into the broadcast. The interface is intuitive:

• The Video Player: This is the main window where you'll see and hear the speaker(s).
• The Comment Feed: This is the live chat box on the side of the video. Here, you can ask questions, share your thoughts, and see what other attendees are saying. This is where the magic of engagement happens.
• Reactions: Just like on a regular post, you can use Like, Celebrate, Support, Love, Insightful, and Funny emojis to react to what's happening on screen without interrupting the conversation.

Catching the Replay

Don't worry if you miss a live event. The beauty of digital content is that it lives on after the broadcast ends. Almost every creator or company leaves the recording of their live stream on their LinkedIn profile or page. It simply converts from a live video to a standard video post.

You can go back to the original event link or visit the host's profile to find it. You lose out on the real-time Q&A, but you can still watch the full presentation and read through the comments to see what you missed. You can even add your own comments to the replay, and the host will still get notified.

Tips for a Better Viewing Experience

Watching a LinkedIn Live isn't just about passive consumption. With a little preparation, you can turn any live stream into a valuable professional development and networking activity.

1. Register in Advance

Even if you're not 100% sure you can make it, click that "Attend" button. It signals to the creator that their topic is of interest, and it ensures you get the reminder. Some hosts even send out resources or workbooks to registered attendees before the event begins.

2. Do a Little Homework

Take two minutes to look up the host and any guests. What's their area of expertise? What have they posted about recently? Having a bit of context helps you understand where they're coming from and allows you to ask more specific, insightful questions that are more likely to get answered.

3. Engage Enthusiastically and Authentically

Don't be a passive observer. The most valuable part of LinkedIn Live is the interaction. If a speaker says something that resonates, share your takeaway in the comments. If you have a question, ask it clearly. Compliment other viewers on their great questions. Active participation makes you visible to the host and other attendees.

4. Use the Comment Section to Create Connections

Pay attention to others in the comments. Someone might ask the exact question you were thinking of, or share an insight that helps you see the topic in a new light. Feel free to reply to their comment. If someone makes a particularly interesting point, consider sending a connection request after the event is over. Mention the live stream in your personalized note, something like: "Hi Jane, I really enjoyed your perspective on customer retention during the [Event Name] Live. I'd love to connect and follow your work."

5. Manage Your Environment

To fully absorb the information, treat the LinkedIn Live session like an important meeting. Close any extraneous browser tabs, put your phone on silent, and if possible, listen with headphones. This helps you focus on the content and show that you value the host's time.

6. Follow Up Afterward

If you found a particular session valuable, send a connection request to the host with a personalized note thanking them for the information. This gesture goes a long way in building a relationship and exposes you to more of their professional community.

Final Thoughts

LinkedIn Live offers an accessible way to learn, interact, and network directly from your desk or phone. By knowing where to look for events, how to engage, and what to do when you watch, you can stay informed and add a proactive, personal touch to your career development.

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