The Baltimore Association of Black Journalists (BABJ) hosted a May meeting, “Let’s Go LIVE at Home.” The meeting on Saturday May 23, 2020 offered live streaming strategies in the age of COVID-19.
Due to health concerns surrounding the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), BABJ opted for a webinar in an effort to implement social distancing and keep members safe.
ICYMI… you can view the BABJ “Let’s Go LIVE” Panel here via YouTube
The COVID-19 crisis has forced newsrooms and media organizations to change how they operate. This virtual panel discussion featured demonstrations of live streaming tools. The panelists offered best practices to connect multiple social media accounts to broadcast simultaneously. Because no one wants to suffer a Teddy Riley or Nelly-style technical catastrophe during a LIVE.
More than 25 participants signed on for the hourlong interactive information sharing discussion. Takeaways from the discussion include: virtual backgrounds, ring light use and recommendations, streaming across multiple social media platforms and troubleshooting and enhancing the Instagram LIVE experience for your audience.
The panelists included:
Brian H. Waters, Johns Hopkins Medicine Communications Specialist and Christian Memorial Church Multimedia Director
Jose Vilson, Math Teacher and Executive Director of #EduColor
Terry Owens, Pulsar Senior Communications Director and Wealthy U Multimedia Producer.
Vance Brinkley, SiriusXM Radio Audio Editor
Each of the panelists tackled specific aspects of live streaming and apps that make this possible. The discussion also offered best practices for engaging your audience during the live streams. The list of apps are as follows:
- Brian H. Waters: Facebook Live and Scheduling Premieres
- Jose Vilson: Instagram Live
- Terry Owens: ecamm
- Vance Brinkley: Open Broadcaster Software (OBS) and Restream
All of the panelists are available for any followup questions. Their LinkedIn accounts are hyperlinked above in their names. 
