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Why Should Bloggers Get Started on Periscope?
It might seem counter-intuitive to advise bloggers to branch out into live-streaming (a.k.a. not writing), but I am a converted believer. Bloggers should get on Periscope because:
- it’s a way to gain additional page views to your piece of the Internet.
- it is a way to branch out into an entirely new audience that doesn’t read blogs!
- you can share a tutorial with your audience and receive real-time feedback.
- you’re looking to have private conversations with your readers or community members.
- you might love the idea of video content but cringe at the editing hassles.
What is Periscope?
Periscope is a social media platform that allows users to “go live” and interact with a worldwide audience. Anyone can broadcast anything and all replays are live and accessible for 24 hours. It’s one of the fastest growing social media networks ever. A couple of jaw-dropping statistics:
- It took Facebook 2 years to reach 6 million users. Periscope hit 10 million users in 4 months.
- There are nearly 2 million active users per day, watching more than 40 years of content per day.
Eager to get started on Periscope because you see the value? Share it with others!
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How to Set Up an Account and Profile
Step 1: Download the Periscope app to your smartphone.
Step 2: Create an account using your Twitter account. You don’t have to, but I recommend it because Twitter owns Periscope and all functionality is being built on the platform. Trust me: sign up with Twitter.
The fourth icon on the bottom of the app’s home screen is a group of 3 Peri-people. In the upper right hand corner, select the head icon – this is your profile.
Step 3: Your Periscope profile will auto populate with your Twitter information. You may upload any picture or logo to your profile and fill it out differently than your Twitter bio, if you prefer. Do not leave the egg icon there for your image.
In your description, include a small number of graphics / emoji’s and a live link.
Join the IBA for “PRO Tips” on how to structure your profile, what to include, and even how to use it to get more followers!
How to Get Started on Periscope: Watch Scopes
Note: you can watch scopes on your computer, but can only update profiles, interact, and follow scopers using the app (at the time of this publishing).
Because this is an introduction article, I’m going to keep it short. Before you get started on Periscope (broadcasting), you need to watch quite a few scopes. Watching scopes will give you the experience and confidence you’ll need before you hit broadcast for the first time.
Go ahead and follow the IBA (@IBABloggers) and myself (@RufflesandRain). I scope daily on blogging, organization, and monetization tips.
To watch scopes, select the home screen (the icon farthest to the left that resembles an old television). At the top, you will see anything currently live (from the people you follow). To join their scope (or watch the replay), simply click on the scope description.
If you aren’t following anyone or are seeking additional people to follow, click on the icon with the three Peri-people on the far right. You will see trending scopers as well as people you follow on Twitter. To read their profiles, select their name and to follow, select the plus inside the circle icon.
We share worksheets to get you scoping like a PRO, tips on how to structure your scopes, content ownership, replay availability, and the many ways to save your scopes so you can repurpose and monetize them! Join the IBA today!
We want everyone to scope like a PRO! Next in our series is guide to help you prepare for each and every scope. Be sure to Pin this page so you can keep up with the series!