One of the great things about LinkedIn members is how innovative they are. Give them a new toy, and they’ll experiment, play with it, and often use it in ways LinkedIn didn’t intend. It’s a bit that way with audio events.
In November, LinkedIn unexpectedly announced it was shutting down its in-platform audio event program. Starting January, audio events have been run from third-party apps such as Streamyard and Restream.
Outrage from audio hosts was immediate and loud! Many had been running audio events very successfully for several years and were gutted about their disappearance.
Challenges and Adaptation
While LinkedIn audio events had their glitches and lacked replay options, regular hosts had already developed workarounds. When LinkedIn pulled the rug out in December, hosts had to find alternatives quickly.
For those familiar with third-party streaming apps, the change was relatively seamless. But for those starting from scratch, the learning curve was steeper.
The New Era: Multimedia Audio Events
Audio hosts have been experimenting with the new setup, and it's become clear that LinkedIn has inadvertently created an entirely new live streaming feature. These events are now multimedia experiences where:
- Audience members can join the stage with cameras on or off.
- Hosts and speakers can share videos, images, presentations, and live screens.
- Music and live comments can enhance the event experience.
- Instant replays are available for later viewing.
Unleashing New Possibilities
This shift opens immense possibilities that will likely transform audio events. Attendees can choose to:
- Listen or watch and listen.
- Join from mobile or desktop.
- Participate on stage with cameras on or off.
For us, running events with cameras on has boosted interaction, engagement, and networking.
The Role of Authenticity in an AI Era
One of the key advantages of these live events is how they showcase authenticity. With AI becoming prevalent on LinkedIn, it’s increasingly harder to convey genuine expertise.
These live, multimedia events can’t be emulated by AI (yet!) and are excellent platforms for real-time networking and interaction.
For hosts, these events are a chance to build a solid community, especially when held regularly.
The Future of LinkedIn Audio Events
Audio events have all the potential to become LinkedIn’s preeminent content format in 2025. The future looks promising, and the transformation is already underway.