Going Live: 5 Things Planners Need to Know about Periscope

The Periscope app has been leading the way for live streaming, and 2016 is the time to get on board. Periscope allows users to instantly broadcast and view livestreams via smartphones and mobile devices. The Twitter-owned company has already had a huge impact on the event industry, and has given a whole new dimension to content sharing. It can dramatically increase the reach of your event by sharing real-time footage with those who cannot make it in person. Planners can also use it as a way to generate new content, like showcasing a sneak peek interview with the keynote speaker. Live streaming isn’t new, but it has been cost-prohibitive for the average event producer. Apps like Periscope are empowering planning teams and attendees with streaming capabilities at all times. For basic info on what these apps do, you can see this Digital Trends article on Periscope. In the meantime, here are five important tips you need to know before mastering Periscope at your next event:

1. Editing does not exist. This is a live app. If you’re used to fine tuning your audio and video to remove all umsand likes, you’ll need to adjust your approach. Once you hit “Broadcast” there is no turning back. But remember that people appreciate reality and transparency, so don’t worry about making it sound too formal.
2. Embrace the chat functionality. There is a chat option so viewers can participate by asking questions or making comments. This is a great way to increase engagement and build buzz around your event.
3. Earn extra love. You can see how your content is resonating by how many “hearts” you get. Viewers will tap the screen to send the broadcaster colorful hearts when they like something during live streaming.
4. Get a tripod. Though most short streams can easily be done by holding a smartphone, use a tripod when filming longer streams (i.e. a speaker’s keynote). This way the viewers won’t get seasick when you’re broadcasting, and they’ll benefit from higher video quality.
5. Lock down strong Wi-Fi.  Since the live stream is powered by the strength of the venue’s connection, Wi-Fi is an important aspect to check before broadcasting. Check the planned bandwidth with your supplier because using Periscope can greatly slow the speed for the entire audience. You won’t want to crash the network on the big day!

Live streaming can be a huge engagement booster for events and a modern way to increase your connection with your millennial audience. Incorporate it into your next event to generate valuable content your attendees will love! Make sure you follow @Cvent on Periscope to get behind-the-scenes access to Cvent CONNECT and live coverage from Vegas!