How Do I Get Set Up For Instagram Live? (Guest & Host)

Instagram Live is a great tool for growing your audience. But if you don't set yourself up properly, you and your viewers could have a frustrating experience. Here are a few tips to help you have the best IG Live experience.

How Do I Join IG Live?

IG Live only works on cellphones unless you use another app which can get complicated, so I suggest sticking to your cellphone. There are 2 ways to join an IG Live. You can go to your home screen in IG and look at the top of the screen. If anyone that you follow is live, click on their icon at the top of the home screen and you're in.

Or you can go directly to someone's account and then click on their icon in the top left corner to join their IG Live. Once you're in, you can leave comments in the chat box, ask questions with the question button or show love with the heart button.

How Do I Host My Own IG Live?

1. Go to your home screen or your profile and tap on your icon. If your stories open up, click on your icon in the top left corner.
2. At the bottom of the screen you'll see "Live", "Story" and "Reels". Tap "Live".
3. Tap the 4 bars on the left side of the screen to add a title for your IG Live. People will see that title when you go live.
4. Tap the white button at the bottom of the screen when you're ready to start.

If you want to invite someone on screen with you (I highly recommend this! It's a lot of fun.) look at the list of viewers after you've started your IG Live and tap on someone's name to send them a request to join you. If they accept, they'll magically be on screen with you! Viewers can also request to join you. If this happens, you'll get a notification during your IG Live. If you accept, they'll join you on screen.

Getting Set Up For IG Live:

1. Before you start an IG Live, make sure that your phone is on "Do Not Disturb". If you receive a phone call during an IG Live, you will get disconnected and you'll have to start/join all over again.
2. If you're the host or a guest close all of the other apps on your phone before you start. You want all of your phone's power focused on Instagram when you go live.
3. Make sure you're in a place with strong wifi. If the wifi is bad, your viewers will probably experience glitchy playback and freezing during your IG Live. And they probably won't tune in for long.
4. Make sure your phone is plugged in or fully charged. IG Live require a lot of battery power. You don't want your batter to die during your IG Live. (That happened to me once!)
5. Use the most current phone that you have access to. Older phones aren't as well equipped for video streaming and often have better wifi connections.
6. Finally, for our interview, set your phone up so that no one has to hold it during your interview and make sure you're well lit. You'll get a much better image.