I remember the first time I went live on Instagram—my hands were shaking! But honestly, it’s become one of my favorite ways to connect with followers. No algorithm getting in the way, just real-time connection. Your followers get notified when you’re live, and you pop right to the top of their Stories feed.
Look, going live without retakes feels scary. What if you mess up? What if no one shows up? I’ve been there! But that raw, unfiltered quality is exactly what makes live videos feel authentic. People crave that realness in a world full of overly edited content. Trust me, your audience will appreciate seeing the human behind the profile—quirks and all.
Starting Your First Instagram Live
Going live is way easier than I thought it would be the first time. You definitely don’t need fancy equipment—just your phone and a decent internet connection. Yes, it is that easy to go live and increase Instagram Live views.
How to Start an Instagram Live on Your Phone
Here’s how I go live from my phone (takes like 30 seconds, seriously):
Step 1: Open Instagram and log in (duh, but had to say it!)
Step 2: Swipe right from your feed or tap that camera icon in the top left corner.
Step 3: Your camera turns on. Swipe along the bottom until you hit “Live” mode.
Step 4: Hit the big circular button and boom—you’re broadcasting!
Step 5: When you’re done, tap the X in the corner. Don’t accidentally hit it mid-sentence like I did my first time!
Going Live from Your Desktop Computer
Want better video quality? I switched to desktop streaming last year and it’s a game-changer.
First thing: you need a Professional account. Go to Settings, look for “Account type and tools” under “For professionals,” and switch over. It’s free and takes two minutes.
Once that’s done, you can use Instagram Live Producer with streaming software. I use Riverside, but OBS works great too if you’re on a budget.
Engaging Features of Instagram Live
Instagram’s added some pretty cool features to make lives less awkward and more interactive. Thank goodness, because my first few lives were painfully quiet!
Using Practice Mode
Not ready to embarrass yourself in front of everyone? (Been there!) Instagram has this private mode where only you can see your stream.
I use this to test my lighting, check my angles, and make sure everything’s working before going public. Just select “Audience” during setup and pick “Practice” instead of “Public.”
Question Stickers for Better Engagement
This is my absolute favorite feature! Before going live, I post a Story with a question sticker asking what people want to know. Then during the live, I can pull up these questions as I answer them.
It’s saved me from those awkward silent moments when no one’s commenting. Plus, shy followers who’d never comment live still get their questions answered.
Adding Guests to Your Instagram Live
Ever noticed how conversations flow better when there’s someone to bounce ideas off? Just tap the two-person icon during your stream and search for whoever you want to invite.
I did this with a friend in my industry last month, and we doubled our viewership since we were pulling from both our audiences. Win-win!
Creative Uses for Instagram Live
After doing lives for a while, I’ve found there are certain formats that just work better than others. Here are my go-to approaches:
Q\&A Sessions with Your Audience
The simplest lives I do are straight-up Q\&As. I collect questions through Stories beforehand (using that question sticker I mentioned), then just work through them.
My tip? Group similar questions together so you’re not jumping all over the place. Makes you look more organized and professional, even when you’re winging it!
Product Launches and Demonstrations
When I launched my latest project, I did it through Instagram Live and sold out way faster than previous launches.
There’s something about seeing a product in real-time that builds trust. People can ask questions on the spot, and they can tell from your unscripted responses whether you really stand behind what you’re selling.
Behind-the-Scenes Content
My highest-viewed live ever was just me setting up for a photoshoot. Nothing fancy—literally just showed how I arrange lights and props. People ate it up!
Showing your workspace or introducing your team humanizes your brand in a way perfectly curated posts never will.
Collaborative Live Sessions
Partner up! I’ve done joint lives with people in adjacent niches, and it’s like getting free advertising to a whole new audience.
Plus, the conversation feels more natural when you’re not just talking to your phone alone. Just make sure you pick someone who compliments your style—awkward chemistry is worse than no chemistry!
Advanced Tips for Instagram Live Success
Once you’ve got the basics down, these strategies will help your lives stand out from the crowd.
Promoting Your Live Broadcast in Advance
Don’t expect people to randomly catch your live—most won’t unless you tell them it’s happening!
I usually start promoting 3 days before, using those countdown stickers in Stories. My followers can tap to get a reminder when I go live. I’ve noticed about a 40% increase in viewers when I promote consistently beforehand.
Going Live When Your Audience Is Active
Timing matters! I used to go live whenever I felt like it, then wondered why no one showed up.
Check your Instagram Insights to see when your followers are most active. For my audience, Tuesday and Thursday evenings work best, but yours might be completely different.
Starting Strong with an Engaging Hook
The biggest mistake I see? Starting with I’ll just wait for more people to join. Snooze! The people who joined on time deserve your energy right away.
I always start with something like, Hey everyone joining now, we’re going to talk about XYZ today, and I’ve got some juicy tips to share! Then I jump right in. People who join late can catch up.
Repurposing Your Live Content
Don’t let all that content go to waste! After my lives, I download the video and chop it into smaller clips for Reels and Stories.
One 30-minute live session usually gives me content for a whole week. Work smarter, not harder!
Common Instagram Live Challenges
Even after doing this for years, I still run into issues sometimes. Here’s how I handle the most common problems:
Technical Difficulties
Bad internet is the worst! If possible, I connect to ethernet or at least get close to my router. I also kick everyone else off the WiFi during important lives (sorry, roommates).
For audio, I invested in a cheap lapel mic that clips to my shirt. Makes a huge difference compared to the built-in mic on my phone.
Maintaining Viewer Engagement
When I notice viewership dropping, I throw out a quick question or call to action. Something simple like “Drop a 🔥 if you’re still with me!” works wonders.
I also try to acknowledge people by name when they join or comment. Everyone loves that personal recognition.
Handling Nervousness on Camera
Even now, I still get jittery before lives. My trick? I do jumping jacks right before going live! Gets the nervous energy out.
Also, having notes nearby (but not reading directly from them) helps me stay on track when my mind goes blank. And remember—if you mess up, just laugh it off. Nobody expects perfection on a live stream.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long can Instagram Live videos be?
Instagram cuts you off after an hour. I learned this the hard way mid-sentence once! If you need more time, just start a new live session.
2. Can I save my Instagram Live video?
Absolutely! After you end your live, Instagram gives you options to download it, save it to your archive, or share your Stories for 24 hours. I always save mine—you never know when you’ll want that content again.
3. How do I moderate comments during an Instagram Live?
For nasty comments, tap the three dots next to them to hide or report. If you’re expecting a big audience, get a friend to be your moderator—they can handle comments while you focus on your content.
4. Do I need a minimum number of followers to go live?
Nope! Even with a small following, going live is worthwhile. I started doing lives when I had less than 100 followers. Your account just needs to be at least 30 days old.
5. Can I schedule an Instagram Live in advance?
Yes! You can schedule up to 90 days ahead. This feature was a game-changer for me—allows people to set reminders and helps build anticipation.
Final Thoughts on Using Instagram Live
Instagram Live isn’t perfect, but it’s one of the most authentic ways to connect with your audience. Start small with topics you’re passionate about, and don’t obsess over viewer counts at first. I’ve found consistency beats perfection every time—my regular weekly lives now get 3x the viewers of my random ones, even with the same content.
The real magic of Instagram Live is how it turns passive followers into active participants in your community. That real-time connection builds loyalty you just can’t get from regular posts. So take a deep breath, hit that “Live” button, and show the world the real you!
