Well, it’s official – 2015 is the year of live streaming. Live streaming capabilities have been around for some time but, like everything in the technology world, timing is everything! Periscope and Meerkat captured social media marketing headlines thanks to their ability to easily live broadcast video from our Apple iOS devices. Both apps have integrated chat features that allow us as broadcasters to interact with audiences during streams. For online video marketers, there is a huge opportunity to create an engaging experience for viewers. We’ll cover Meerkat in a future post, but be sure to check out this article for some of the key differences between the two. For now, here are five things to know about Periscope for online video marketing. Events and Tradeshows: Periscope was basically created for giving a glimpse into live events as they happen. Chances are that there is already an audience engaging with a tradeshow before, during and after the event.
Take advantage of this and give people some sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes, first looks and sound bites live from the event. This will not only captivate the audience that is present, but also the many people who could not be at that show. Newsworthy Announcements: If you have some big industry news or a keynote, then give your audience the chance to tune in via Periscope. The Weather Service did this recently while covering storm activity over the Central United States. Their was able to stay up-to-date and could also ask questions about specific regions during a live Q&A. Think Global: Keep in mind that your audience may not be in the same time zone as you are. While Periscope does store the broadcast for up to 24 hours after your stream, the cool factor about this app is that it’s in the moment. You want to broadcast during the time when your audience will be the most engaged. Watch Your Composition: Framing within Periscope and Meerkat can be a little tricky since they only allow for vertical video at the time of this post. Pay close attention to where the chat features and other built-in buttons appear during your stream. The example below demonstrates how placing something near the bottom of your shot can be blocked by chat activity.
Get Steady: Consider investing in a mounting system, small tripod, gorilla pod, or stabilizing device. This will not only make for a more aesthetically pleasing shot, but your audience will be more likely to pay attention to your message vs. the shaky camera work. Good Audio is Key: Your audience is likely to forgive lower quality video, but they will not accept bad audio. Chances are that they’re already listening to your broadcast in a poor acoustical environment via the built-in speaker on their device.
Improve your Periscope broadcast audio by placing your device close to the speaking talent or presenter. Look out for sirens, air conditioners, planes, people talking or other obstacles that may interfere with your key message. Consider purchasing a microphone like the one here that connects straight to your iPhone. What is your experience with Periscope? Share your opinions below. Follow us on Twitter for more online video marketing news and tips.