Top Reasons 'Audio Events' Feature is a Chess Move for LinkedIn

LinkedIn started the New Year with a bang! It shook up the social media world by testing the waters with its LinkedIn Audio Events. Many LinkedIn members have been eagerly awaiting the feature for a long time. The beta phase began the week of January 10th. According to Tomer Cohen, LinkedIn's Chief Product Officer, in the January 19th edition of his Building LinkedIn newsletter, the feature is being testing by a few thousand creators. The exact timeline of the beta phase has not been publicly shared, only that other creators will get access in the coming months.

I was one of the many LinkedIn members who were patiently awaiting the audio feature. I'm also one of those who was granted early access to test the feature out. I applaud LinkedIn's product team for taking on this ambitious endeavor. As to be expected with a new feature, there have been glitches. But the product team is diligently working to adapt the feature to the needs of the LinkedIn community.

In the beta phase, only the beta members can create LinkedIn Audio events but all LinkedIn members can attend and participate in them. So take advantage of opportunities to be a part of the conversations!

A few days after the release of the feature I posted a poll to gauge public opinion about it. The question was:

Do you think the 'LinkedIn Audio Events' feature will be a game changer for the LinkedIn?        

Respondents had the option of saying; Yes...Maybe, too soon to tell...No...or Other.

Understandably, 44% of the respondents selected that it was too soon to tell.

I've attended onboarding events for the beta testers, hosted my own event and attended several events. Based on my experience with the feature thus far, I'm of the belief that this could be a game change for the platform.

Here's a few reasons why this a chess move for LinkedIn.

? LinkedIn is the #1 social media platform for professional and business use. It has been around since 2003. It currently has 800+ Million users, this number is continue to grow rapidly. Having the feature added to a platform that is well established gives it credibility.

?Unlike popular audio apps, the LinkedIn Audio Event feature is accessible via desktop or laptop.

I held my first event on January 13th. I took the first screenshot below as I hosted my event via my desktop. The second screenshot was taken by @Racheal Bush on her phone.

I like the desktop version because it allowed me to move freely on my LinkedIn profile or other browsers as I hosted the event. Unfortunately, the view of the 'stage' and audience is very minimal. Hopefully the product managers will figure out how to expand it. Currently, using the side bar to navigate up and down is now intuitive enough for hosts to use it.

Accessing LinkedIn Audio Events via my phone is convenient. Doing so allows me to listen to events as I'm driving or doing other activity just as I would with podcasts or music.

? Increasingly, LinkedIn is the go-to platform to vet people. Whether you are looking to hire someone or do business with them, LinkedIn is where we go to check their credibility. The LinkedIn Audio Event feature allows a seamless process to do this. When you are in a room and you see someone of interest, you can simply click on their profile image and you will be given the option to: View Profile, Message, Follow/UnFollow (depending on your status with the member) or Report. Without leaving the event you can view their profile, check them out and send a Connection Invite or Follow them if you want. You can also send InMail messages to non-connections. LinkedIn is all about professional and business networking, right? Attending events allows for access to great information and networking!

?LinkedIn Audio Events is a feature in a suite of offering for content creators. The offerings will continue to compliment each other and expand on. Those who have experience broadcasting Live on LinkedIn may adapt easily to hosting audio events. Here's a comparison of some keys aspects for both features:

One of the biggest advantages of LinkedIn Audio Events is that it is just audio. Event hosts don't have to worry about how they or their environments look.

According to various news reports, virtual live event attendance on LinkedIn is up 231% from a year ago! In fact, LinkedIn reports that LinkedIn Live videos get on aver 7x more reactions and 24x more comments. The adding of LinkedIn Audio Events will continue to add to the comprehensive nature of the platform. Other platforms have very narrow scopes. LinkedIn is become more of a one-stop-shop platform. The next big thing will be LinkedIn virtual events!!!

To see the Live experience of a LinkedIn Audio Event, I welcome you to attend mine on the 20th at Noon EST. It will be my 'Shine Online Chat w/ Clarene event' my weekly office hours to share LinkedIn insights and answer your questions. I hope to hear you then! ?? Be sure to click on the link to RSVP and add the event to your calendar.

In advance of attending a LinkedIn Audio Event, be sure to update your app so you have the latest version. Otherwise you may not be able to access audio events or you may be dropped from events.

If you are interested in having access to this feature when it is rolled out broadly, be sure your LinkedIn has Creator Mode turned on.

(Note: All this information was current when the article was published. Changes with the feature are happening on a daily basis.)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

? Here's an easy way to support this content creator, https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MsLinkedInQueen

Clarene Mitchell is the Founder/CEO of TCM Communications. She changes the trajectory of lives and businesses through her results orientated LinkedIn one-on-one coaching, group training and event speaking. Clarene is also the author of 'Shine Online with LinkedIn.' In January 2021, LinkedIn recognized her 'Shine Online Bulletin' as a Top Pick for learning how to enhance your network and online visibility. She is also the creator and host of 'Imposter Syndrome Disrupted.' a LinkedIn Live show dedicated to empowering women entrepreneurs. The show is every 2nd & 4th Tuesday at Noon EST.