Periscope and Meerkat: Why Your Business Should Be Broadcasting

by Lily Bradic

With Periscope now available on Android, brands are left with no excuse to avoid the newest trend in online video. Here’s how — and why — your business should be getting involved:

​Earlier this year, two new, exciting players emerged on the online video scene, offering a very simple service: live streaming that relies on Twitter to distribute broadcasts. While Meerkat (with its ephemeral videos and bright colors) resembles Snapchat, Periscope has a sleeker, more polished feel and allows users to watch videos for 24 hours after broadcast. Oh, and it has the slight advantage of being owned by Twitter (so, long-term, Periscope may be the safest bet).

To broadcast a video, all you need is a smartphone. Big brands, small brands, college students, whatever — everyone has the same equipment. Unlike traditional video marketing, where a good camera is a necessity, platforms like Periscope afford everybody the same shot at success.

So, it’s not the equipment, but the content that matters — and while that content will depend on your audience, live-streaming lends itself best to timely content.. Here are a few pointers:

• Events coverage — comedy clubs, live bands, speeches and karaoke are all great options for hospitality or entertainment brands. The Rolling Stones even used Periscope to broadcast a secret LA show. 
• Behind the scenes — musicians on tour, a day in the warehouse, products being made....if it's interesting, it can work (and the bar for "interesting" is currently set pretty low, what with the recent Periscope trend for fridge contents...).
• Watch me do X — If what you do is interesting to hear or watch (e.g. painting, makeup artistry, acoustic guitar) live streaming is perfect for you. 
• Tours — if it’s a beautiful day, why not walk and talk? Show your followers around your office building, or your block, or tell the world a hilarious story as you walk to the coffee shop. 
• Live tutorials — weekly live yoga classes? Cookery shows? It could work!
• Audience interaction — try a live Q&A with your Twitter audience, and keep them entertained between questions!

As an early adopter, it’s all about trial an error. Sure, you have to learn from your own mistakes — but you also get to set the trends. Live streaming is set to grow over the coming months, so now is a good time to start practicing.

Readers: do you use Meerkat or Periscope? Let us know in the comments!