Instagram is always looking to adapt and improve their features to fit the trend. Since the pandemic surged, many people, including artists and creators, have turned to live streaming to engage with fans. Instagram takes this trend and expands to meet their users’ requests with their Live feature. Today, we break down all the features available to you with Instagram Live.
What are Instagram Live Rooms?
The Live Room feature allows you to group up with 3 other people to talk and open up to more creative opportunities. Some of the capabilities Instagram mentions are starting a talk show host, having a jam session, hosting a Q&A, or creating tutorials with one another. Each speaker gets their own box similar to boxes during video calls, but still includes all other specs from the original Instagram Live.
Live Rooms Bring Revenue
In addition to expanding the Live feature, Instagram has also incorporated a revenue streams for creators. A tool called “badges” is essentially a donation viewers can give to show some support. Not only are they contributing to the artists and creators they love, but fans will also gain special public recognition for making a donation. If artists and creators have other passions they wish to raise awareness about, they can ask their viewers for money through a fundraiser they bring together.
Viewers will also have access to creators’ shops in collaboration with their new Shop feature.
Setting Up A Live Room
Starting a Live Room is pretty easy, though may not be as straight forward. You want to swipe left, select the Live option on the camera. This is where you would add a title to your live stream and an organization where your viewers can donate to while you’re live-streaming. As a host, you have authority to send requests and accept requests from those wanting to go live with you. As the host of a live stream, click the live room button directly next to the comment line. As a collaborator/fellow creator, you can request to enter a live room by clicking the question mark button in the same spot.
What is even more amazing is that your followers will be notified when you go live, but also, your guests’ followers will be notified. This creates the ability for followers and fans to cross-pollinate and gives you the chance to increase your reach. Creators are able to build each other’s audiences in a way that may prove to be far quicker and easier than in previous times.
NOTE: Accounts must be following each other in order to enter a Live Room
This is only a dip in the pool for Instagram features and the future of social media. Instagram hopes to expand the number of creators simultaneously in a Room together, but for now 4 is a good start. To learn more about Instagram’s other features, click here for a quick rundown of what Instagram has to offer.
Schedule Your Live Stream
Yes, you can schedule a time to go live! Scroll to the left onto the “live” camera and on the left side of the screen, where you can add a title and fundraiser, you can click the calendar icon at the bottom and schedule a live stream between 1 hour from the present and 3 months into the future.
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