I admit, when I first heard of Periscope I groaned. Yet another social media platform to master? No thank you!
But then I logged on and watched a few scopes and I was hooked. Periscope is a phenomenal tool for all businesses, brands and bloggers, and something we can all find a way to utilize.
WHAT IS PERISCOPE?
Periscope was launched in March of 2015 and already is estimated to have over 7 million users, gaining it’s first million in just 10 days. By comparison it took Facebook a year to reach 7 million users! It was bought by Twitter and is a streaming video platform that allows you to broadcast anywhere from your phone. It’s a cross between Skype and Google Hangouts, but with a twist. Users can comment and broadcasters can talk back and interact. Basically anyone with a phone and the Periscope app can become their own mini television network. But instead of chatting with a person – you are alone talking to whomever has logged on and is watching.
WHO USES PERISCOPE?
Basically everyone! There are marketers of course, selling their products. And bakers and artists demoing their DIY’s and cool techniques. There are homeschooling moms sharing their lessons. And of course celebrities and comedians entertaining their fans. Television broadcasters use it to share behind the scenes glimpses of where they work. There are yoga classes and guided meditations. And folks on vacation give you the sights they are seeing. No matter what your niche or interest, you can find someone similar on Periscope!
PERISCOPE SPEAK
Just like Facebook and Twitter have Likes, Shares, Retweets etc, Persicope has it’s own jargon. The fastest way to learn of course is to watch others and emulate what they do. But if you still don’t get it – here’s the quick lowdown!
- Scope – Broadcasters on Periscope will say things like “Welcome to my scope!” A scope is essentially your broadcast.
- Scopers – Someone who uses Periscope frequently, a broadcaster.
- Share – Most Scopers will ask you to swipe your screen to share their broadcast as they are talking, this enables them to reach more followers.
- Hearts – I didn’t understand hearts at first, but if you want to give the Scoper you’re watching some love, you tap your screen. Periscope will tally the hearts and give users a color based on how many they’ve received.
- Replay – So it’s a little confusing, but Periscope saves your broadcast for 24 hours. Not everyone will watch you live, many will watch you on replay. So make sure to acknowledge your replay viewers! (More on this later)
- Followers – Yes you need followers to reach more people, so many peeps on Periscope will ask you for a follow. The great thing about Periscope though is it’s linked to your Twitter account, so when I logged on I found I had followers pretty quickly.
WHY USE PERISCOPE?
For those of you who haven’t jumped on the video bandwagon, Periscope is the perfect way to start! It’s less expensive than shooting and editing videos for a YouTube channel, and a great way to engage with your following. If you’re a business you can talk about different products you sell, if you’re a blogger you can talk about your niche and give parenting or cooking tips, the possibilities are endless! Keep in mind by 2018, 80% of web usage will be video, now is the time to capitalize on this new medium! Get in now and start early to earn the biggest rewards!
If you haven’t guessed, I’m pretty passionate about video (here are more tips for making videos!) and am obsessed with Periscope. Though I’ve only done a few scopes, I can see the value in it and am slowly trying to gain followers. This platform is the wild west and live streaming is a MUST for all brands, businesses and bloggers! Yes bloggers….if you don’t know why you should be using it yet, read this from Chaos and Kiddos!
If you have any questions please let me know in the comments below. And here’s my next post HOW to Use Periscope. And don’t forget to follow me there —-> @kristenhewitt.
good luck and happy scoping!
Thank you for this article! I will be sure to welcome people to my scope when I broadcast from Madrid this week. I didn’t know to do that but now I do thanks to this article. 🙂
Thanks for the lingo breakdown! I’m like you and love visual platforms but still haven’t done my first scope.
Thanks for this post. I loved signing and seeing your scope when I first discovered Periscope. (Still discovering.) Fun!
Yay can’t wait to watch you too!
I love periscope! I’ve only done a few videos though, I need to work on that!
Thank you for writing this! Everyone has been telling me to use this but I was a little overwhelmed the first time I downloaded. Now I feel like I can take another shot at it and not be totally lost.
Can’t wait to watch ya’ll tomorrow! Have fun, hear you’re a natural on cam!
What are the rules about content you can share….I mean in terms of swearing, etc? My blog can get pretty explicit at times….
This is awesome and I really miss video which is what I went to grad school for. I’m just not sure how I would use it.
It’s the internet, there’s no FCC! DO IT! I swear you will be hooked!
oh crap. i’ll check it out. i’m really having a hard time keeping up with all of this… i think i like living my life more than always blogging and video-ing about it. searching for a balance!!!
I haven’t tried it, but I’m intrigued. Mostly from a personal end, and not a business one. Like logging on with someone who is looking for moose in the wilderness!
Yes, I went there. I’m so predictable.
I’m going to start….I need a goal. Should I say by September 2015? Thanks for posting this…it’s very informative and hopefully easy to execute.
I’ll teach you how to execute either this week or next!
I have been meaning to try this out after to speaking to James from WeMontage about it about BlogHer. But appreciate the crash course here and the reminder, too 🙂
I am scared by this. I am not really a great video kind of gal, but I am intrigued. Thanks for sharing more on this platform. I might be a late adapter, but I am definitely going to be trying it someday soon.
Ugh, I am sooo not a video person!! I know that it’s definitely something I should start doing though. You are so great at it. I may just have to check this out. It sounds like it could be a baby step towards a youtube channel. So, it’s live, right? Can people hit a link somewhere watching your video to connect to your site. Say, if I have a recipe post and let everyone know I’m doing a live cooking periscope, can they then click on a link to get to my original post? Thanks in advance!
Yes it’s live. And not they can’t hit a link, but you can promote the heck out of anything you are doing! And yes promote a live cooking segment a day before to get viewers!
I have to admit, I groaned when I saw this too. You broke it down nicely though. I’m not entirely convinced I’ll take the plunge… because broadcasting live = me either throwing up or getting the trots. (Can you tell I’m not a media person)? I once had to do a television segment about our daycare fundraiser for a morning news program and I was a mess. I didn’t sleep the night before, I was sick to my stomach, jittery, nervous, etc. but I pulled it off really well.
Thanks for sharing. I’ll refer to this if I ever dare to join periscope.
xoxo
Periscope has been all the rage with many of my teacher friends. I didn’t realize it only began a few months ago and has already sky rocketed. Looks like I better watch some videos and get on board. Thanks for sharing your insight! 🙂
Yes! There are some great follows to teach you Periscope too! I’m going to blog about it once a week, so next up is how to use Periscope!
I haven’t yet joined the Periscope nation, but I want to and plan to soon. Thanks for all of the great tips and tricks!
Periscope sounds great! I’d like to give it a try, although I’m a little nervous. I like how describe it as the Wild West… maybe it’s time to hitch my wagons (ha ha) to this new resource 🙂
Thank you for this. I have just started to use Periscope for our business and must admit I dread it – I do not like being in front of a camera. I did my first scope this morning and realised afterwards that I didn’t have the sound on!!! People were really kind and still kept sending me hearts. I’m going to pass on your blog post to our staff so they can learn all about it too. Thank you. 🙂
Awesome – and good job trying! Each one will get better! I’m going to publish helpful tips this week as well!
This is the second post I’ve read about Periscope. Admittedly, I’m nervous about the idea but also very intrigued! Now to clear some space off my phone so I can actually download the app!