LinkedIn Tests Livestreaming Video with LinkedIn Live

LinkedIn is launching live video streaming, so get ready for your close-up. As first reported by TechCrunch, the Microsoft-owned social media network is providing its test users with the ability to share live video with certain groups of users and perhaps even the network as a whole.

LinkedIn is the largest social network for professionals with 157 million users in the U.S., which makes the possibilities for livestreaming both exciting and endless. Any business-related activity now may gain an engaged audience keen on viewing professional conferences, presentations, interviews, product demos, public meetings and more in real time or at their comfort and convenience.

Here’s what we know so far about LinkedIn Live:

• The beta version of LinkedIn Live rolling out this week will be invite-only.
• At some point, LinkedIn also will post a contact form for users to express interest in using the feature.
• Several third-party developers of live broadcasting streaming services will work with beta users to create high-quality video to make sure the livestreamed content provides a consistent experience and fits in with LinkedIn’s other offerings such as LinkedIn Publisher and LinkedIn Learning.

The information gleaned from interviews with LinkedIn product executives creates more questions than answers, but we’re closely following this story and will provide more updates as they become available. We regularly advise our clients on their social media strategies, and livestreaming video on the leading social media platform for professionals may prove to be a game-changer.

Shannon Lanier is account and marketing director for Poston Communications.