Welcome back to another episode of the Sufficiently Social Podcast! Today we are talking all about going live! I am sharing my four step process for going live.  Going live on social media requires careful planning. It’s not just about hitting the “live” button but it’s about creating a meaningful and engaging experience for your audience. Get the right equipment. A phone is usually sufficient, but remember to put it on “do not disturb” mode to avoid interruptions during the live. Think of 2-3 topic ideas and align them with any guests you may invite to join the live. This will keep the conversation focused and engaging. Remember, you can schedule lives in advance. I recommend advertising the live 24 hours in advance. Also, don’t forget to turn on the autosave feature in Instagram settings to save the live video for future use. Once you’re live, start the conversation immediately. Engage with viewers by asking questions and encouraging comments. This boosts engagement and visibility on social media platforms. To keep things organized, consider creating slides ahead of time. There are resources available for Instagram live strategy templates such as these that can help with this.  Remember to eliminate distractions, have a drink nearby, and set a timer for the live session to allow for teaching and Q&A. After the live session, save the video immediately, especially if you have limited phone storage. This video can be repurposed for future content. Sharing the replay is crucial because it adds value and reaches a wider audience. Prepare a cover photo, write a caption, and prepare hashtags in advance to streamline the sharing process. Don't worry if live replays have different numbers compared to the original live session. There is still value in sharing them. Tag or send the replay to individuals who expressed interest or couldn't attend the live session. Not every live session will be perfect, but that's okay. The important thing is to post the replay and learn from each experience. Pull 4 to 5 quotes from the video to create graphics and cut the video into shorter clips for reels. These clips can be shared on stories and used to answer future inquiries. Practice makes perfect. Instagram has a practice feature that allows users to test the live session before going live for real. Use this to your advantage and keep improving with each live session. Adding live sessions into a well-rounded social media strategy is crucial for boosting engagement and visibility. Remember, authenticity is key. Your audience values the real and genuine you so don't be afraid to show your true self. Going live on social media can be a game-changer for your brand or business. So, why not give it a try? Have you went live? If so, send it to me @iamalicianoelle Don't forget The Sufficiently Social Society is open to podcast listeners only right now so come check it out!