5 Reasons to Jump on the Periscope Bandwagon

Periscope: a live streaming app from Twitter that has become the latest trend among social media users. With the tagline “explore the world through someone else’s eyes” it’s no wonder this app has seemingly gone viral on social media. Periscope offers a simple method of streaming. Press a button and everyone who follows you can tune in to view life through your camera lens. Followers can choose to chime in and make comments of their own during your live stream. With videos that are available to access for 24 hours, Periscope is excellent for those who miss out on conferences, meetings and other events that they wanted to view but weren’t able to.

Periscope is becoming relevant beyond recreational use, as businesses are catching on to the trendy way to share their stories and improve their branding. With infinite opportunities to provide an edge on customer service, storytelling, and branding, it comes as no surprise that businesses are jumping on the Periscope bandwagon. While Periscope might seem like a trend that won’t last, it’s rapidly becoming a formidable app used by celebrities, businesses, and elite public relations professionals. Here’s five reasons why you should consider jumping on the Periscope bandwagon yourself.

Improved customer support:
Customer support has rapidly changed as social media developed into a stronger force. If you’re upset with a product and don’t want to wait on hold or for snail mail, a simple tweet will get an organization’s attention. Customer Support is a huge reason why many organization’s jump on social media. Imagine a platform that allows you to make how to videos, directly connect with consumers and the products they face while providing live feedback on solving their problem. The possibilities are endless when it comes to utilizing Periscope for customer support. Organizations can get creative with Periscope when solving consumer problems and it’s paying off.

Conduct remote focus groups:
A huge limiting factor of focus groups are varied demographics and the funds to conduct the group. Thanks to Periscope, the game is beginning to change. Although the focus group process through Periscope is a work in progress, it’s beginning to eliminate the geographical boundaries that separate people from potential experiences. Periscope allows for an organization to ask customers around the world for feedback rather than limiting themselves to staying local. 

Going behind the scenes and around the world:
From interviews to “fridge tours”, from watching Jimmy Fallon get ready for his show, to touring the Lourve. Periscope offers insight into the world around out. With millions of users live streaming what is going on around them, you can access parts of the world, experiences, or enter into conversations that might not so easily be a part of your daily life.

Increasing transparency:
Transparency is an invaluable asset among organizations. Transparency often directly correlates to a brand’s reputation and how consumers feel about them. Periscope changes the game for organizations and allows unprecedented levels of transparency. Through Periscope, brand employees become real people, with faces, a personality, and drive to connect with the consumer. Brands can show their process with their product, humanize their C-suite, and show that all their employees are pretty awesome people, just like you. 

Conducting product demos:
What better way to launch a product than with an interactive demo? Thanks to Periscope’s ability to allow comments, hearts and other feedback, video interaction is no longer one way communication. Periscope allows for two-way interaction and for the viewers to promptly give their feedback.

Ashley is a senior seeking a degree in Advertising & Public Relations. Prior to returning to school, Ashley took 3 years off to adventure around the country learning from members of the United States Olympic 3-Day Eventing Team. These travels led to a lot of fun stories, an addiction to sweet-tea, and a relentless passion to pursue her goals. Additionally Ashley is a member of GV-PRSSA, is on the executive board for the ODK Honor Society, & is an account associate at Grand PR. 
Currently Ashley is a technical writer and social media manager at 834 Design & Marketing while also working as a Digital Marketing & Public Relations Manager for Ecogold Equestrian Textiles. In her free time Ashley can usually be found out in Rockford, where she keeps her two horses: Donatello (named after the turtle, not the artist) & Valhalla (No, she’s hasn’t watched vikings, she’s just a nerd). Despite a busy schedule, she competes in the sport of 3-day eventing on a national level and gets the opportunities to chase all her dreams. Ashley’s interest in sports is not limited to horses, as she is an avid football, basketball, and hockey fan. When not at the barn, she can be found at a local brewery, consuming absurd amounts of coffee, or enjoying a good book.