How to Go Live on Instagram: Tips for Creators in 2024

Does the idea of live streaming on Instagram make you nervous? Don’t worry—it’s actually a lot simpler than you might think!

Instagram Live is one of the most powerful tools for building real-time connections and growing loyalty to your brand.

With live streaming still going strong as a top video content type and Instagram’s active user base now at 2 billion monthly, it’s the perfect time to jump into the action.

This guide will cover everything you need to know about going live on Instagram, from step-by-step instructions to pro tips and tricks for making your broadcasts shine.

Get ready to connect authentically, engage your audience, and make Instagram Live work for you!

What is Instagram Live?

Launched in 2016, Instagram Live allows users to connect instantly and personally with their audience, who can join, comment, react, and even share the live stream with others.

Followers receive a notification when someone they follow goes live, increasing engagement by encouraging immediate participation.

Unlike pre-recorded formats like Instagram Reels, Instagram Live is entirely live and unscripted, offering a unique, interactive experience.

For those with a Professional Instagram account, the platform also offers Live Producer, a desktop streaming feature that allows creators to go live from a computer using software like OBS Studio or Restream Studio.

After a live session ends, users can save and share the video to Reels or Instagram Stories, making it accessible to followers who missed the original broadcast.

Benefits of Going Live on Instagram

Instagram Live offers numerous advantages, making it an essential feature for any creator or business looking to engage with their audience. Here are some key benefits:

Boost Visibility and Reach

Instagram prioritizes live videos, sending notifications to followers the moment you go live, keeping you at the top of their minds. Plus, live broadcasts appear at the front of the Stories feed, making it easy for followers to tune in instantly. Instagram also showcases live streams in the Explore section, which means you can reach people who may not follow you yet, expanding your audience and potential following.

Real-Time Engagement and Interaction

Instagram Live enables immediate, interactive communication with your audience. Viewers can comment, ask questions, and react throughout the stream, and you can respond in real-time, building a stronger connection. This back-and-forth engagement not only makes your content feel more dynamic but also fosters a loyal community that feels valued and heard.

Enhanced Brand Authenticity

Unlike polished posts or edited videos, live streaming is raw and unfiltered, giving viewers a genuine look into your personality or brand. This authenticity can build trust as followers get a glimpse behind the scenes, product demos, or real-time experiences. Creators like Charlotte Dobre, for example, use this authenticity by adding end screens that invite viewers to keep exploring with a “subscribe” button and links to recent videos, creating a seamless transition to further engagement.

Instant Audience Feedback

Live videos offer a unique chance to gather immediate feedback on your ideas, products, or content. Whether debuting a new item, asking for content ideas, or testing a new concept, your audience’s real-time reactions can help shape and refine your brand. You can even tailor your content on the spot to better meet viewer preferences, creating a more personalized experience.

Cost-Effective Way to Showcase Products and Collaborate

Instagram Live is a free feature, making it a budget-friendly way to promote your brand or products. Creators can use this tool to showcase new releases, give product demos, or even collaborate with other influencers to expand their reach. Partnering with another creator on a live stream allows you to tap into each other’s audiences and double your exposure.

Content with Lasting Impact

When the live session ends, you can save and share the video as a Reel or Story, allowing more followers to watch it later. This means your content has the potential for ongoing engagement, reaching viewers who couldn’t tune in live and maximizing the value of each broadcast.

How to Go Live on Instagram in 6 Steps

1. Open the Instagram App

To start your live stream, first open the Instagram app on your iPhone or smartphone.

Remember, going live is a mobile-only feature, so be sure to have your smartphone ready and updated to the latest version of the Instagram app.

Logging in beforehand will make the process smoother. If you’re planning on using a public or business profile, double-check that you’re on the right account.

2. Swipe Left to Access the Camera

From the home screen, swipe left to bring up Instagram’s camera, which is used for Stories, Reels, and Live broadcasts.

You can also access this by tapping the “+” icon at the bottom center of your feed and selecting the “Story” or “Live” option.

Swiping left is the quickest way to reach the camera interface. Once you're in the camera, you’ll see the option to switch to Live mode.

3. Select the ‘Live’ Option

With the camera interface open, you’ll see several options at the bottom of the screen, like ‘Story,’ ‘Reels,’ and ‘Post.’ Scroll through these options until you find ‘Live.’

If you want to add a title to your live stream, tap “Add a title…” near the bottom of the screen—this helps set expectations for viewers and can make your stream more engaging.

You can also set your audience to “public” or “private,” depending on your goal, and even schedule your stream by tapping the calendar icon and selecting a date and time.

4. Tap the “Go Live” Button

After you’ve set everything up, tap the “Go Live” button at the bottom of the screen. Instagram will quickly check your connection to ensure it is stable enough for streaming.

Once everything’s ready, the broadcast will start, and Instagram will notify your followers that you’re live. Your viewer's numbers will appear at the top of the screen, allowing you to track the number of people tuning in.

5. Interact with Viewers

Now that you’re live, engage with your viewers to make the experience more interactive. Followers can comment and react in real-time, and you can respond to their comments verbally or by typing replies.

If you want to highlight a comment, you can pin it so all viewers can see it. Instagram also offers interactive features like Q&A stickers, polls, and the option to invite co-hosts, making it easy to keep your audience engaged.

Encourage questions, respond to comments, and make your followers feel seen to build a sense of community.

6. End the Stream

Once you’ve wrapped up your session, tap the ‘End’ button in the top right corner of the screen. Instagram will prompt you to confirm by tapping ‘End Video’ (or ‘End Now’ on iOS).

After ending your live stream, you’ll have the option to share the recording with Reels or your story, allowing followers who missed it to watch it later. You can also download the video to your device for future use.

Sharing your live session ensures that the content lives on, providing ongoing engagement and value even after the stream has ended.

What to Use Instagram Live For

There are many creative ways to leverage Instagram Live, whether for personal branding or business growth. Here are some popular uses:

Q&A Sessions

Live Q&A sessions on Instagram are a powerful way for creators and public figures to connect with their followers by answering questions in real-time, fostering transparency and trust. This interactive format allows for direct engagement on topics that matter most to the audience, helping build a closer, more personal relationship.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez frequently uses Instagram Live to host Q&A sessions, during which she addresses questions about the current political climate, key legislative issues, and her experiences in Congress.

By engaging openly with her followers, she provides a firsthand perspective on complex issues, demystifies political processes, and creates a more accessible connection with her audience. Her live sessions are an effective way to inform and involve her community in political discourse, making her followers feel seen, heard, and valued.

Product Launches

Going live on Instagram for a product launch is a dynamic way to build excitement and connect with your audience in real-time.

By showcasing a new product or service live, you can highlight its features, provide demonstrations, and answer questions instantly, creating an authentic and interactive experience that pre-recorded videos can’t replicate.

Instagram’s Shop feature further enhances these live sessions, allowing you to tag products directly in your live stream, making it easy for viewers to click and purchase without leaving the app.

This seamless integration not only boosts engagement but also drives sales, as viewers are more likely to make a purchase when they can see the product live and get immediate answers to any questions they have.

Live Tutorials/Demos

Instagram Live is ideal for hosting live tutorials and product demonstrations. It lets you showcase your expertise while interacting with viewers in real-time.

Whether you're sharing makeup techniques in the beauty industry, workout routines in fitness, or step-by-step guides in tech, live demos provide an engaging, hands-on approach that pre-recorded videos often lack.

As you walk viewers through each step, they can ask questions, clarify details, and receive personalized advice, making the session feel interactive and tailored to their needs. This real-time feedback builds trust and credibility as viewers see your expertise in action and feel more confident in your recommendations. 

Live tutorials also create an authentic experience, as followers witness your genuine reactions, troubleshooting tips, and spontaneous insights, ultimately strengthening their connection to your brand.

Collaborations

By co-hosting a live stream with another influencer or brand, you create a dynamic, interactive experience that combines each host’s unique perspective and audience base.

These partnerships enable cross-promotion, allowing each collaborator to introduce their followers to the other’s content, interests, and expertise, which can lead to an influx of new followers and greater brand visibility.

Collaborating also brings added depth to the conversation, whether through interviews, joint tutorials, or discussions on shared topics, making the broadcast more engaging and informative for viewers. 

Behind-the-Scenes

Going live to share behind-the-scenes content on Instagram allows you to connect with your followers on a more personal and authentic level.

Whether you’re preparing for an upcoming event, showcasing your workspace, or simply sharing a day in your life, these glimpses give your audience a sense of exclusivity and make them feel like they’re part of your journey.

Behind-the-scenes live streams reveal the effort, creativity, and passion that go into your work, building transparency and fostering trust. This type of content can humanize your brand, showing the real people and genuine moments behind the polished posts.

As followers see the unfiltered side of your process, they become more invested in your story and are more likely to engage, support, and stick with you over time.

Event Coverage

Whether streaming from a convention, festival, product launch, or celebration, going live lets viewers feel immersed in the action, seeing highlights, key moments, and exclusive content in real-time.

This virtual access helps build a sense of inclusion, as your audience feels like they’re part of the experience alongside you.

Live event coverage also encourages instant interaction. Viewers can comment and ask questions, and you can provide live commentary, share insights, or give behind-the-scenes glimpses of the event.

This engaging format not only expands the event's reach but also strengthens your relationship with your followers by inviting them to participate in memorable moments as they happen.

Fun Features on Instagram Live to Help Boost Engagement 

Instagram Live offers a variety of creative features that make your broadcasts more engaging, interactive, and memorable for your audience. Here are some of the standout options to explore:

Filters and Effects

Add personality to your live broadcasts with Instagram’s wide selection of filters and effects. You can use fun filters, change up the mood with different colors, or try effects like Boomerang and Superzoom to add extra flair. These visual touches make your live stream more captivating and keep viewers engaged, enhancing your brand’s aesthetic.

Invite Co-Hosts to Join

Instagram Live allows you to invite up to three guests to join your broadcast, creating opportunities for interviews, Q&A sessions, or friendly discussions. This feature is ideal for hosting collaborative content with other creators or experts, expanding your reach by tapping into each guest’s audience, and providing viewers with dynamic, conversational content.

Create a Fundraiser

With Instagram Live, you can raise money for a cause right from your stream. Simply select a nonprofit organization, and viewers can donate in real-time as you share your story or support a cause close to your heart. This feature is a great way to engage your audience meaningfully while giving back to the community.

Share Your Live Video as a Reel

After your live stream ends, Instagram gives you the option to save and share the video as a reel or in your Stories. This is a fantastic way to reach more followers, as those who missed the live session can still tune in later. It also gives your content extended visibility and a second chance to capture new viewers.

Add Images to Your Live Stream

Make your broadcast more informative by adding images, which can serve as visual cues or help explain concepts in more detail. This feature is helpful for live product demos, presentations, or tutorials, as you can share supporting visuals directly with your audience to provide added context.

8 Tips To Get the Most Out Of Your Livestream

1. Promote in Advance

To maximize viewership, promote your upcoming Instagram live video well in advance. Use Stories, feed posts, or even Reels to announce the date and time of your broadcast, building anticipation among your followers.

Countdown stickers in Stories can be particularly effective, allowing followers to set reminders. You could also give a sneak peek of what you’ll cover in the live video, whether it’s a Q&A, a product launch, or a special guest appearance. Promoting your streams beforehand ensures that more people know about your Instagram live stream and are likelier to tune in.

2. Have a Plan

Before starting your Instagram live stream, outline the topics you plan to cover to maintain a smooth flow. Having a rough script or bullet-point agenda can help prevent awkward pauses or getting off-topic, especially if you’re going live for the first time.

Structure can also make the live video more engaging, as it keeps the conversation moving and ensures you cover all the important points. If you’re doing a Q&A or product demo, planning your key talking points will make the broadcast feel professional and organized, keeping viewers engaged throughout.

3. Test Your Equipment

Test your equipment before you start your broadcast to ensure a smooth Instagram Live experience. Check that your camera and microphone are working well and that your internet connection is strong enough to support live streaming without interruptions.

A quick test run can help you identify and fix any issues beforehand, preventing technical glitches that could disrupt your live video. This small preparation step ensures a high-quality broadcast and shows your audience that you’re committed to delivering a seamless experience.

4. Engage with Your Audience

Engagement is key to a successful Instagram Live. Make your broadcast interactive by encouraging viewers to participate—prompt them to leave comments, ask questions, or react with emojis.

Respond to their questions and comments in real-time, making the live video feel like a conversation rather than a presentation. The more engaged your audience is, the longer they’re likely to stay tuned in, enhancing the overall impact of your Instagram live stream and fostering a deeper connection with your viewers.

5. Use Interactive Features

Instagram Live offers a variety of interactive tools designed to make your broadcast more engaging. Use polls, Q&A boxes, and pinned comments to encourage audience interaction.

You can even invite viewers to join your live stream on camera, adding an extra layer of engagement. These features not only make your live video more dynamic but also increase audience participation, as viewers are more likely to stay engaged when they can directly contribute to the conversation.

6. Be Consistent

Consistency is crucial for building an engaged audience. By going live regularly, you create a habit for your followers, making them more likely to tune in each time you host an Instagram Live. 

Establishing a routine, whether it’s weekly or bi-weekly, can help followers know when to expect your broadcasts, increasing your viewership and strengthening your community. Consistency also helps with Instagram’s algorithm, as regular activity on your profile can boost visibility across the platform.

7. Collaborate with Others

Collaborating with other creators or influencers on Instagram Live is an effective way to expand your reach. By partnering with someone in your niche, you can introduce your live video to a new audience who may not have discovered your content otherwise.

This approach not only increases your viewership but also provides fresh perspectives and conversations in your broadcast, making it more engaging. Inviting co-hosts to join your Instagram Live stream can elevate the experience and attract a larger, more diverse audience.

8. Save and Share

After your Instagram Live ends, don’t let that valuable content disappear. Save your live stream and share it on Reels or your Story so that followers who missed the live session can watch it later.

By reposting your live stream, you help extend the life of your broadcast, giving it a second chance to engage viewers and build on the momentum of the live event. 

How to Attract New Audiences

Instagram Live is a powerful tool for reaching new viewers and growing your audience. Here are some strategies:

• Use Hashtags: Including relevant hashtags in your live stream description can make it discoverable by users who aren’t following you, increasing the likelihood of attracting new viewers.
• Collaborate with Influencers: Partnering with popular influencers allows you to tap into their audience, introducing your content to potential new followers.
• Engage with New Viewers: When new viewers join your stream, acknowledge them and encourage them to follow your account. Making them feel welcome increases the chances they’ll stick around.
• Cross-Promote on Other Platforms: Promote your Instagram Live sessions on other social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok. This helps to bring in followers from those channels who might not have known about your Instagram content.

Monetize Your Live Streams with Fourthwall!

If you're an Instagram creator looking to turn your content into a sustainable income stream, Fourthwall is the ideal platform for you.

Fourthwall empowers creators to easily monetize their brand through custom products and exclusive merchandise that speaks to their audience.

All you have to do is sign up, set up your online shop, and select the products you want to customize and sell from Fourthwall's extensive catalog directly to your Instagram followers. 

Fourthwall's integration with Instagram Shopping even lets you promote and sell products directly through your Instagram Live streams, making it effortless for followers to discover and purchase your items in real-time.

Imagine showcasing your branded merchandise or custom products during a live session and watching your followers engage and purchase instantly!

This seamless integration enhances engagement, builds brand loyalty, and transforms your Instagram presence into a thriving business.

So, if you're ready to take your Instagram brand to the next level, then sign up with Fourthwall today and start building a sustainable income while connecting with your audience!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Instagram Do Live Streaming?

Yes, Instagram offers a live streaming feature called Instagram Live, which lets users broadcast video in real-time directly to their followers.

This feature, accessible through the Instagram Stories interface, allows for a dynamic, interactive experience. Viewers can join the stream, leave comments, and react with emojis as the broadcast unfolds.

Instagram Live is a popular tool for creators, influencers, and brands to connect personally with their audiences. It offers real-time engagement that’s more immediate and unfiltered than other content formats.

The platform also notifies followers when someone they follow goes live, boosting visibility and encouraging more people to tune in. After the live session ends, users have the option to save and share the broadcast on Reels or as a Story, allowing even more followers to view it later.

How Does Instagram Livestream Work?

Instagram Live lets users broadcast real-time video directly to their followers, creating an interactive experience where viewers can join in, comment, and react throughout the live stream.

When someone goes live, Instagram notifies their followers, placing the live broadcast at the front of the Stories feed, which maximizes visibility and engagement.

Once live, users can see viewer comments and reactions pop up on the screen, enabling a direct connection with their audience as they respond in real-time.

Instagram Live also offers interactive tools like Q&A boxes, polls, and the option to invite co-hosts, which can add depth to the broadcast and encourage even more participation.

How Can I Watch Instagram Live without Them Knowing?

Currently, Instagram does not have a built-in feature to allow users to watch live streams anonymously.

When you join an Instagram Live session, your username appears in the viewer list, which is visible to the broadcaster in real time.

This means that the person hosting the live session will know you’ve tuned in. If you’re looking to view content discreetly, your options are limited, as there is no native “anonymous mode” on Instagram.

Some users try workarounds, like using a secondary account or watching a recording of the live stream if it’s saved and shared on Reels or Stories afterward. However, these approaches are not officially supported by Instagram and may not always provide total anonymity.

What Happens to IG Live Videos?

Once an Instagram Live broadcast ends, users can save the video and share it as a post on Reels or in their Stories, extending its accessibility to followers who couldn’t join in real time.

Saving the live video to Reels makes it available indefinitely on the user’s profile, providing lasting content that can continue to attract views and engagement long after the live session.

If shared as a Story, the video remains visible for 24 hours, allowing for short-term replay opportunities. Additionally, users can download the video to their devices for archiving or future use across other platforms.

This flexibility in sharing options allows creators and brands to maximize the impact of their live content, repurposing it for ongoing engagement and creating a record of valuable live interactions with their audience.