LinkedIn + Zoom: How to Host Live Events (Without the Tech Headache)

Alright friend, let’s talk about a LinkedIn feature that’s quietly gaining momentum but not enough people are using: live video events.

Before you roll your eyes and think “ugh, not ANOTHER platform where I need to show up live,” hear me out. LinkedIn video watch time increased by a whopping 36% in 2024, and live events specifically jumped 15.3% in just the last quarter. The algorithm gods are clearly favouring video content right now.

Why This Actually Matters

If you’ve been around here for a while, you know I’m not one to push every shiny new feature just because it exists. But when the numbers show this kind of growth, it’s worth at least considering how it might fit into your strategy.

The best part? You don’t need fancy equipment or to learn yet another platform’s quirks. If you’re already comfortable with Zoom (and after the last few years, who isn’t?), you can host LinkedIn live events straight from your familiar Zoom interface.

How It Actually Works

LinkedIn just released a simplified guide to connecting Zoom to LinkedIn events, and it’s surprisingly straightforward:

1. Schedule your LinkedIn event first (under the “Events” tab)
2. Set up your Zoom meeting as usual
3. About 10 minutes before you go live, grab the stream URL and stream key from LinkedIn
4. Enter these details in your Zoom streaming settings
5. Start your Zoom meeting and it will automatically feed to your LinkedIn event
6. Important: Mute the LinkedIn stream window to avoid echo (use Zoom’s audio instead)

After your event ends, the replay automatically becomes available on your LinkedIn event page for anyone who missed it live.

I tested this out last week while dog-sitting Churros (who made a brief cameo appearance), and the setup took less than 5 minutes. The quality was solid, and the engagement was actually better than my regular posts.

Who This Is For (And Who It’s Not)

This feature could be perfect if you:

• Already have a decent LinkedIn following
• Host webinars, workshops or interviews via Zoom
• Want to increase your visibility as a thought leader
• Have expertise that could be shared in a casual live format

However, there are some hurdles to be aware of:

• You need at least 150 followers/connections on LinkedIn
• Your account or page must be more than 30 days old
• You need a history of playing nice with LinkedIn’s policies
• You should be reasonably comfortable on camera

Beyond Just Going Live

The strategic gold here isn’t just in hosting the live event itself. Consider:

• Repurposing snippets for other platforms
• Adding the replay link to your newsletter
• Transcribing key points for LinkedIn articles
• Using attendee questions to inspire future content

One client of mine has been hosting monthly 20-minute LinkedIn lives where she answers common questions in her industry. She’s turned each session into at least 5 pieces of content elsewhere, making the time investment incredibly efficient.

Is It Worth Your Time?

As with any content strategy, the answer is: it depends on your goals.

If your ideal clients are active on LinkedIn and you’re comfortable sharing expertise through conversation, this could be a relatively low-effort way to boost your visibility and authority.

If presenting isn’t your strength or your audience lives elsewhere, there are better uses of your time.

What I appreciate about this approach is that it leverages a platform you’re likely already using (Zoom) to expand your reach on LinkedIn without creating entirely new content or learning complicated streaming software.

Have you hosted or attended any LinkedIn live events? I’d love to hear about your experience! Hit reply and let me know if this is something you’re considering for your brand strategy.