LinkedIn is introducing virtual events as a solution for Pages, at a time when in-person events remain on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Director of product management Ajay Datta described LinkedIn Virtual Events as a combination of LinkedIn Live and LinkedIn Events.
LinkedIn is introducing Virtual Events at a time when in-person meetups remain on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. Bringing both the reach of Live video and the engagement that events can create, Virtual Events are announced as the best of both worlds.
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In a blog post, Datta wrote: “That’s why we accelerated our product roadmap to bring you a tighter integration between LinkedIn Events and LinkedIn Live, turning these two products into a new Virtual Events solution that enables you to stay connected to your communities and meet your customers wherever they are. This new offering is designed to help you strengthen relationships with more targeted audiences.”
He also said that LinkedIn Live generates 23 times more comments per post and six times more reactions than native video. The goals is for Virtual Events to also bring a deeper sense of connection between members of a community.
What are LinkedIn Virtual Events?
LinkedIn Virtual Events allow brands and organizations to use LinkedIn Live and steam live to page followers or event attendees. LinkedIn virtual events can be promoted to page followers or via direct invitations to first-degree connections. Brands can also choose to use paid targeting and advertising solutions to reach relevant audiences outside of their networks.
Members can find publicly-listed Virtual Events that might interest them via LinkedIn’s organic discovery features. Third-party broadcasting tools such as Restream, Socialive, Streamyard and Wirecast can be used, with more to be added over the coming months.
For more information on how to organize your first Virtual Event on LinkedIn, check out this activation playbook.