Over the past decade, internet marketers have watched as two powerful forces have risen to prominence: social media and video. It was only a matter of time until the two converged. Roughly 15 months ago, this very thing happened in the form of a brand new social media niche: live stream video.
The Rise of Periscope as Live Streaming King
In August 2015, just five months after Periscope’s public debut, the platform had already eclipsed the 10-million user mark. At the time, Periscope boasted that its users watched approximately 40 years’ worth of live streaming footage – or approximately 21 million minutes – every single day. Since August, these numbers have grown dramatically. Users now watch more than 100 years’ worth of video every day.
“Although mobile live streaming was rarely offered five months ago, it is most definitely a ‘thing’ now, and brands would be wise to get on board,” Digital media expert Mike Dellaquila said back in August.
Want to know how you can get on board? Try the following clever approaches:
1. Product Unboxings
If you’re familiar with product unboxings on YouTube, you know just how popular these videos are. Unboxings – as the name suggests – feature customers opening up a product and assembling and/or using it for the first time. These videos are powerful because they provide customers with a firsthand look at what the product is actually like once it comes off the shelf. By making product unboxings live, brands can produce even more value.
“Use these to showcase your products, or create short and engaging “how-to” tutorials to make sure customers are getting the most out of products or services,” says Jenny Hayward of Fundera, a premier online lending platform. “64% of customers state that they’re more likely to purchase a product after watching a video about it.”
2. Interactive Customer Support
In the coming months, look for a growing number of companies to leverage Periscope as an interactive customer support channel. While it certainly requires a more intensive investment from the business side, live streaming customer support could be a valuable differentiating factor for brands looking to set themselves apart from the competition.
Interactive customer support on Periscope is especially promising for companies that sell technical products or services. Imagine an internet provider being able to experience exactly what the customer is seeing when internet service goes down or a router starts blinking. This could totally revolutionize the entire customer service industry as we know it. Getting in on the beginning of this trend could also help your brand gain recognition.
3. Behind the Scenes Interviews
People love to know what’s going on behind the scenes. There’s something empowering about knowing something others don’t know. This is why many brands are using Periscope to stream exclusive interviews and provide sneak peeks.
Some companies have even live-streamed entire vents. Red Bull was one of the first to do so when they live-streamed the Red Bull Baylines competition, Miami Music Week, and parties from the Red Bull Guest House. Could you live stream a conference or event, too?
4. Q&A Sessions
Releasing a new product or preparing for a new campaign launch? Periscope is ideal for Q&A sessions. Not only do these sessions allow you to answer pertinent questions, but they also help you understand the various issues and knowledge deficiencies that are present in your target market.
Don’t Overlook Periscope
Periscope may be the new kid on the block, but the time to hop on board is now. You don’t want to overlook the platform or you’ll find yourself fighting for an opportunity to be heard in the future. By carving out your own niche now, your brand will become synonymous with live streaming social.
