Live Streaming with Periscope

Live Streaming? Is it just a fad?
Periscope is a mobile app that is owned by Twitter. It allows users to post live videos of themselves and has chat interactions as well so that viewers can interact with the filmer. Live streaming has become increasingly popular in the last year, with Twitter buying Periscope before its launch and Facebook developing their own version of the service with Facebook Live. So, is live streaming here to stay or will it be gone just as quickly as it started? Personally, I think it is here to stay. Video is the most direct way to share a message and 55% of people watch videos online daily. Also, about half of all mobile user traffic goes to online videos.

So, what are the ways businesses can use Periscope?
According to Business News Daily, Periscope is a great way to connect more personally with your followers. Also, the app is free and allows you to communicate with anyone in real time. Businesses can use Periscope to:

1. Humanize their brand - Periscope is live which means it's off the cuff and not scripted. It allows the real you to shine through.
2. Go behind the scenes - Give exclusive looks at what goes on at your office or videos of different processes that are unique to your business.
3. Offer product demos and tutorials - I've seen these be very popular for makeup tutorials.
4. Live events - Super popular with sports teams! Show the crowd getting pumped up or behind the scenes of players warming up. Concerts and fireworks are also popular.
5. Q&A sessions - allows you to showcase your expertise and can be great for service providers.
6. Webinars - small companies can use Periscope for webinars and video conference calls instead of paid services.
7. Crowdsourcing/surveying - showcase new products that are in development, solicit feedback from customers and troubleshoot potential issues/changes customers would like to see.
8. Announcements/product launches
9. Customer service - companies could host chat sessions to discuss common issues their customers are having. Doctor's could also use it to speak with patients about symptoms and see/hear them.

Why using Periscope is good idea? What are the advantages?
Periscope gives people a good feel for what your business culture is like. It is live, so it is not a scripted commercial/video or investor call. It is live and allows viewers to see the real you. They don't expect it to be perfect and like that they can talk back to the company and ask questions and get answers instantly. Millennials are all about instant access! And Periscope allows them instant access to events happening all around the world. You can be sitting on your couch in Ohio and watch a livestream of a concert in across the country or around the world.

A lot of large brands have dabbled with Periscope, but I don't think a lot of them have fully jumped on board. They aren't sure how to effectively use the app or what value it is adding. This leaves a lot of room for small businesses to jump in and steal the show. Plus, small businesses are usually less afraid about messing up and return on investment. A lot of what I've seen on Periscope is sports, concerts, and just random people showing their normal life. But I can definitely see it becoming more popular as time goes on. Gaining 1 million users its first day and with over 10 million current users, it's only a matter of time before more people start joining. I think I might start my own cooking show!