Top Strategies to Maximize Engagement During Instagram Live Sessions

Instagram Live isn’t just a fleeting trend. In 2025, it’s becoming one of the most authentic and effective ways to connect with your audience in real time. But here’s the catch: going Live alone won’t drive results. You need a well-structured Instagram Live engagement strategy that sparks conversation, boosts visibility, and converts viewers into loyal followers.

According to Meta, users spend 3x more time watching Live video compared to pre-recorded content.

This blog will unpack actionable strategies, tools, and tips to help you master Instagram Live and optimize your Instagram Live engagement rate.

Why Instagram Live Deserves a Spot in Your Strategy

Live video offers a level of immediacy and intimacy that static posts simply can’t. In a feed full of curated content, going Live offers:

• Real-time audience interaction
• Increased algorithmic priority
• Immediate feedback and Q&A opportunities

And the numbers back it up. Lives often see higher engagement rates than static posts, especially when promoted in advance.

A Sprout Social survey (2024) found that 46% of consumers prefer watching brands go Live over reading a blog or viewing a feed post.

Curious how Instagram Live stacks up against other formats? Let’s explore.

Instagram Live vs Instagram Post Engagement: What Performs Better?

When it comes to Instagram Live vs Instagram post engagement, Lives offer clear advantages:

• Live comments & reactions: Unlike post comments, Live comments are instantaneous and drive real-time engagement.
• Higher visibility: Lives appear at the top of the Stories bar and send out notifications.
• Longer watch time: Viewers spend more time with Lives than on a single post.

Latest data suggests that Instagram Live can generate up to 10x more comments per minute than a standard post.

That said, Live requires planning. Without the right flow, you risk losing viewers early.

Proven Strategies to Increase Instagram Live Engagement

Want to maximize your Instagram Live engagement rate? Here’s how:

1. Tease Your Live in Advance

Use countdown stickers, teaser Reels, and Stories to build anticipation. Make it easy to remember with a strong title and pinned reminder.

Pro Tip: Share a post with the Live schedule and encourage your audience to turn on notifications.

Consider sharing a “what to expect” agenda as a carousel post to encourage comments before you even go Live.

2. Pick the Right Time to Go Live

Leverage Instagram Insights to identify when your followers are most active. In general, evenings and weekends work best.

3. Start with an Icebreaker

Start strong with a fun poll or question. “Where are you tuning in from?” or “Drop a 🌟 if you’ve been here before!” sets the tone.

4. Interact Actively with Comments

Mention people by name. Read out comments. Ask questions. Make your audience feel seen and heard.

Image Description: Host calling out user comments and responding live.

5. Use Pinned Comments and CTAs

Pin a comment with your main CTA (“Drop your email to get a free resource!”). It keeps the flow structured.

6. Collaborate with a Guest

Bringing on another creator or expert doubles your reach. Tag them in the announcement post and Stories.

Let’s take a scenario: H&M might partner with a well-known sustainability advocate, like a zero-waste influencer or a sustainable fashion journalist (let's call her "EcoLexi"), for an Instagram Live session hosted on H&M's official Instagram account (@hm).

7. Run a Live Giveaway

Want instant comments? Run a quick giveaway during the Live. Example: “Comment ‘LIVELOVE’ and tag a friend to win a surprise gift.”

Tools That Help Drive Instagram Live Engagement

Here are some must-haves to amplify your impact:

• Deepsolv: Helps drive traffic to Lives by turning comments on promo posts into DM reminders. Learn how in our DM automation guide.
• Countdown Stickers: Create urgency with built-in countdowns
• Pinned Comments: Highlight CTAs and key questions
• Live Shopping Tags: For eCommerce brands, tag products for instant click-throughs

According to Shopify’s 2024 eCommerce Report, Live Shopping can boost conversion rates by 20–30% compared to standard IG posts.

Case Studies: Brands Winning With Instagram Live

🌿 Mamaearth:

The popular Indian personal care brand frequently hosts "Ask Me Anything" (AMA) sessions with their in-house experts (e.g., dermatologists, product formulators) on Instagram Live. These sessions address customer queries about skincare concerns, product usage, and ingredient transparency.

• Impact: One such AMA session on "Dealing with Monsoon Skincare Issues" garnered over 1,800 live viewers and generated over 400 questions in the comment section. They also saw a 15% increase in website traffic during and immediately after the Live, attributed to the expert recommendations.

💄 MyGlamm:

This Indian beauty and makeup brand excels at using Instagram Live for new product launches and interactive makeup tutorials. They often collaborate with popular Indian beauty influencers who demonstrate the products in real-time, answer viewer questions about shades and application techniques, and offer exclusive Live discounts.

• Impact: A recent Live session featuring the launch of their new "Super Matte Lipstick Collection" with a well-known influencer attracted 12,000 peak live viewers. The brand reported a 25% conversion rate from viewers who clicked on the product tags during the Live to make a purchase within the session.

📚 Penguin Random House India:

The publishing house regularly hosts Instagram Live sessions with authors to discuss their latest books, answer reader questions, and offer insights into their writing process. These sessions foster a sense of community among readers and provide valuable content for book lovers.
Impact: A Live interview with a bestselling Indian author about their new historical fiction novel saw over 3,500 live attendees. The session generated significant buzz on social media, leading to a 20% increase in pre-orders for the book in the week following the Live.

👚 Biba:

This leading Indian ethnic wear brand utilizes Instagram Live to showcase their latest collections, offer styling tips for festive seasons, and interact with their customer base. They often feature models showcasing different outfits and answer questions about sizing, fabric, and styling advice.

Impact: A pre-Diwali styling session on Instagram Live, featuring their new festive collection, attracted 6,000 live viewers. They reported a 10% increase in online sales of the featured outfits during the 24 hours following the Live.

Mistakes That Kill Engagement During Lives

Avoid these common pitfalls:

• Starting without a plan
• Ignoring the chat
• Poor lighting or sound
• Not announcing the Live in advance
• Not repurposing the Live content afterward

Reposting snippets from your Live to Reels can improve content visibility by up to 25%, according to Meta's Creator Lab.

How Deepsolv Helps You Maximize Instagram Live Engagement

Here’s how Deepsolv streamlines Live engagement:

• Turn comments on teaser posts into automated DMs with event reminders
• Send Live links directly via DM
• Segment engaged users and re-target them post-Live with offers

Want to dive deeper? Check out our guide to navigating Meta’s DM policies.

Want to see it in action? Book a demo today.