Periscope, the live video streaming app for iOS and Android, has been making waves on the social media scene since it was purchased by Twitter in March 2015. Businesses and individuals ranging from Oprah to Spotify to Red Bull to Bernie Sanders use the app to reach millions viewers with live broadcasts of events, products and services. As Periscope’s tagline states, it allows its users to “explore the world through someone else’s eyes.”
How Does Periscope Work?
With the Periscope mobile app, you can make live broadcasts of whatever you’re doing, whenever you’re doing it. Live broadcasts can be shared through Twitter, shared with your Periscope followers or shared with their followers much like how a friend shares a post on Facebook. You can also invite select followers to a private broadcast.
Viewers can “heart” and comment on your broadcasts in real-time and you can respond to those comments immediately, creating an interactive experience.
If users miss a live broadcast, they can watch a replay of it for up to 24 hours after it has ended. Although broadcasts are removed after 24 hours, you can save them to your mobile device and post them online as often as you desire.
Using Periscope to Boost Business
You may be thinking, “Sounds great, but how could Periscope help my business?”
Here are a few ideas for making the most of Periscope’s marketing potential:
- Behind the scenes tour—to give viewers a glimpse of where the magic happens and who is making it happen at your business.
- Announcements—to launch a new product, introduce a new hire, announce new certifications or awards, etc.
- Product demos—to introduce new products or show how your products are made.
- Interviews with team members—to introduce new hires or showcase the expertise and skills of employees.
- Q&A sessions—to tackle FAQs about your company and its products and services or industry issues.
- Events—capture the action at an open house, customer appreciation day, award presentation, etc.
- How-to sessions—to give viewers step-by-step instructions to accomplish or use something.
- Focus groups—to capture honest input and feedback about products and services (either those that you’re considering or that you already offer).
While Periscope is still in its infancy, the key to making it work for your business is no different than for any other online social media platform:
- Be active.
- Be engaged.
- Be consistent.
To learn more about Periscope and how to use it, check out these resources:
- What Is Periscope and How Do I Use It via Small Business Trends
- Boom Social Periscope 101 Jumpstart Guide
- Reach out to SCORE Maine to connect with a small business mentor. Mentoring is free, and we have mentors well versed in marketing strategy who can help you brainstorm ways to most effectively use Periscope in your business.