How Business Insider is using Facebook Live

Sahil Patel of Digiday writes about how Business Insider is using Facebook Live to tell stories.

Patel writes, “A day before Britain voted to leave the European Union, Business Insider U.K. sat down with two economists at a local pub to answer viewers’ questions about the issue. Then, four days after the vote, the publisher went live for 90 minutes to cover a rally in Trafalgar Square held by those who voted for the U.K. to remain in the E.U. In fact, ever since ‘all hell broke loose,’ Business Insider has gone live on Facebook every day to cover the fallout of Brexit, said Justin Maiman, head of video for Business Insider.

“‘With Facebook Live, I can now put a producer in the middle of a situation, whether it’s a rally, a protest or a press conference. That changes everything for us,’ said Maiman. ‘Obviously, our [text reporting] side has been able to react quickly to breaking news, but all of a sudden, I now have this ability to get people out to and be in the middle of the story.’

“Business Insider started experimenting with Facebook Live in May. Today, the publisher produces two hours of live content per day — spanning roughly six segments — across its Business Insider, Business Insider U.K., Tech Insider and Insider Facebook pages.

“The content is mostly produced by a four-person Facebook Live team, which is led by Maiman and includes a producer and two associate producers. When necessary, this team works with reporters and video producers within other Business Insider departments on content. For instance, the Trafalgar Square video relied on a reporter and video producer who are based in the U.K. bureau.”

Read more here.