Instagram has announced Instagram Live Rooms — a new way to go Live on Instagram with up to 3 guests.
With the introduction of Instagram Live Rooms, brands and creators can reach new audiences, drive sales, and engage with their community — all in real-time.
Here’s everything you need to know about Instagram’s latest update and how you can use it for your business:
What Are Instagram Live Rooms?
Instagram Live Rooms allow you to go live with up to 3 guests — doubling the number of people you can have in your broadcasts.
According to Instagram, Instagram Live Rooms were a “highly-requested update.” Previously, you could only go live on Instagram with a single guest.
Instagram also notes the safety measures they’ve put in place for this update:
Users who are blocked by a participant in an Instagram Live Room will not be able to join the Live
Users who’ve had live accessed revoked because of Community Guideline violations will not be able to join a Live Room
Live Room hosts will have the ability to block and report comments, and apply comment filters
Instagram says Live Rooms will “soon be available globally for everyone” so watch this space!
Plan and schedule your Instagram feed posts to automatically publish with Later — it’s free!
How to Create a**n Instagram Live Room**
Creating an Instagram Live Room is quite similar to setting up an Instagram Live broadcast. Here’s how:
Step 1: Open the Instagram Stories camera and swipe across to the “Live” mode icon.
Step 2: Next, add a title for your Instagram Live Room. To do this, click on the “Left Aligned” icon on the left-hand side of the screen. Your title lets viewers know the topic of your Live Room and what they can expect.
Step 3: Tap the “Live” icon to start your broadcast, and make sure you have a reliable Internet connection. Give viewers time to join the broadcast, so spend the first few minutes making small talk and saying hello to everyone.
Step 4: To add guests to your Instagram Live Room, tap the “Video” icon. Here, you’ll be able to send requests for guests to join. You’ll also see people who have requested to go live with you.
TIP: You can add all of your guests simultaneously, or one-by-one to add an element of surprise!
6 Creative Ways to Use Instagram Live Rooms
Instagram Live Rooms create new opportunities for collaboration and creativity.
In a press release, Instagram hinted at just some of the potential ways brands and creators could use the new feature: “Start a talk show, host a jam session or create with other artists, host more engaging Q&As or tutorials with your following, or just hang out with more of your friends.”
With this in mind, here are 6 creative ways you can use Instagram Live Rooms:
#1: Product Demos
Visual content, especially video, is key to promoting and selling your products.
A Wyzowl report found that 84% of people have been convinced to buy a product or service by watching a brand’s video.
And Instagram Live Rooms are a great way to show how your products work — whether it’s a “Get Ready With Me” session where creators discuss your skincare products or a tutorial led by members on your product team.
Source: Instagram
And with the Instagram Live Shopping feature, viewers can purchase featured products during a broadcast — creating a streamlined way for brands and creators to make sales on the app.
Ready to increase your sales on social? Discover our top tips for selling on Instagram in our Ultimate Guide to Social Selling.
#2: Panel Chats and Q&As
Instagram Live Rooms are perfect for hosting panels, Q&As, or webinars rather than sending viewers to another hosting site.
You can even create recurring monthly chats with new guests, or run week-long panel discussions revolving around various topics.
For the launch of Instagram Live Rooms, Instagram announced a new Live Room every day — from a #StopAsianHate fundraiser to a discussion with LGBTQ+ creators about wellness:
Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, even hosted a Live Room with Lonnie Marts IIV, Young Ezee, and Ling.KT to discuss tips for growing on the platform:
Panels and Q&As give you the opportunity to educate your community, leverage your guests’ audiences, and can help take the pressure off of being live solo.
TIP: You don’t need a huge influencer marketing budget to secure great guests — tap into nano or micro-influencers instead of working with creators (and celebrities) who have millions of followers.
#3: Live Performances
Live performances were popular on Instagram Live last year — whether it was the record-breaking Verzuz battles or singers playing mini gigs like Coldplay’s Chris Martin:
Hosting an Instagram Live Room with various creatives can increase engagement and reach, and creates an intimate — albeit virtual — atmosphere as viewers can watch a concert or short play from the comfort of home.
Plus, it adds a level of inclusivity — viewers from all over the world can tune in, no purchase necessary.
#4: Audience Feedback Sessions
Instagram Live Rooms give you the opportunity to hear directly from your community — what do they like about your products? What type of content do they want you to create? What questions do they have about your new release?
Take Jakiya Brown Thiaw who hosts Instagram Lives where she asks her audience what questions they have, feedback about her services, and offers tips:
Gathering feedback from your audience will help you learn what your customers actually want.
You could invite 3 customers who frequently share user-generated content on Instagram to join your Live Room — showing that you value your community’s opinions and recognize how much they advocate for your brand.
This is a great way to get insight into your community and their pain points, and can increase brand loyalty as they’ll feel heard.
Want to give your Instagram feed an extra touch of authenticity with user-generated content? Easily find tagged photos and videos with Later:
#5: Interactive Classes
With many gyms and studios closed, Instagram Live Rooms can be great for hosting interactive classes.
Last March, retail brand Revolve created #RevolveAroundTheHouse — a series of Instagram Live sessions hosted by various creators and fitness experts.
With Instagram Live Rooms, there could be up to 4 different hosts leading a portion of a class, each with their own area of expertise.
And this works for almost any industry. Art classes, baking sessions, jewelry making, food and wine tasting — the opportunities are endless!
Take a cue from That Cheese Plate who frequently hosts interactive classes with fellow entrepreneurs and cheese-lovers:
For creators, Live Rooms with interactive classes also offer the opportunity to make money.
Last year, Instagram rolled out Instagram Live badges, allowing users to buy a badge and “tip” creators during a broadcast.
Luckily, Instagram Live Rooms will work in a similar fashion, with viewers given the ability to buy a badge for the hosts.
This way, creators can broadcast interactive classes — whether it’s a fitness or cooking class — and make money as they go.
#6: Interactive Giveaways or Quizzes
If you frequently host giveaways on Instagram, you can take it one step further by adding a live element to it.
You can collaborate with other brands or creators to create an Instagram Live Room where 2 or 3 lucky customers get the opportunity to answer questions for a chance to win prizes.
Everyone loves game shows and quizzes, and with Instagram Live Rooms you can tap into your customers’ competitive sides while having some fun.
Instagram Live is already a great tool for driving engagement, and 2020 saw a rise in brands and creators using it to connect with their audience.
With the introduction of Instagram Live Rooms, users can be even more creative when they go Live — whether it’s showing a product demo, hosting a panel discussion, or collaborating with similar brands for a fun giveaway.
Will you be using Instagram’s latest feature? Let us know on Later’s Instagram account!
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