With more and more celebrities and public figures using it, Periscope is an app growing by leaps and bounds. In this article we explain how companies can benefit from bringing it into their eCommerce strategy.
It’s known as the app that broadcasts life in real time. It’s a social network in the form of a mobile app (for iOS and Android) that shows what’s happening to you right now, live or via streaming in video format, and shares it so others can see what you’re doing and where you are. It’s a new style of communication that puts written language and still images in the background and prioritizes video with real sound.
Periscope first saw the light of day in 2015, but it wasn’t until its integration with Twitter in 2016 that it grew substantially, and going viral and mainstream has made it an essential app for many users. Followers can now view Periscope content directly in their Twitter timeline.
With this integration, Periscope attracts many brands that see it as a new window to reach users. So we have to ask: how can a company use Periscope for its eCommerce business?
Periscope in your online store: what are the benefits?
Big brands have already realized the benefits they can get from this app. Let’s go through them and see why it’s so successful:
- It can be a novelty that sets you apart from your competitors. Periscope is so new that many companies still don’t know it or how it works. That’s why brands used to working with social media and that prioritize eCommerce are already using it.
- It expands your social media distribution channels and therefore improves brand image and transparency.
- There is direct interaction between brand and user. Periscope is a space that brings online communities together, where visual content is streamed live and comments are then posted in a chat. This lets companies generate engagement by replying to every chat comment in real time.
- Periscope increases brand visibility.
- And of course, it can help generate conversions and increase sales.
How do we use Periscope in our eCommerce business?
The most common actions that can benefit the brand are:
- Film the manufacturing process of your products.
Something as simple as letting users see the company’s production processes can help build trust and transparency. It’s also a great way to satisfy users’ curiosity.
- Show your product/service launches.
This can be very appealing, especially if there was a big teaser campaign before launch day. It will be even more interesting if the presentation itself is eye-catching and engaging.
- Announce or broadcast an event.
These can be planned events, internal company events or simply daily meetings and get-togethers.
- Show the company’s everyday activities.
Film the company’s different departments with a creative touch. This gives a broader view of how the company is structured.
- Speak to your followers and create more engagement.
It can be very useful for providing better technical support, especially when the company releases a new product and customers have questions about how to use it. For example, Periscope can be used for real-time product demos.
What’s more, online communities love having a place to share their opinion and talk to the brand more directly. Overall, Periscope helps strengthen the bond between brand and customer.
Snapchat vs. Periscope: which should I choose to boost my brand?
We know very well how much impact social media has on boosting eCommerce. That’s why at Trilogi we take it very seriously. But what sets Periscope apart from other social networks is that it lets you publish all your content via streaming .
However, many social networks keep updating (Facebook) and very similar new apps keep appearing (Meerkat). But Snapchat is the app that has emerged as its main direct competitor. It currently has many more millions of active users than Periscope, making it the most popular today. Some of its main features are:
- It was recently redesigned to expand its content. It developed the “Discover” section and the “Live” area, which shows live events and videos, and events can also be told through user content.
- It keeps visual content saved so users can watch it whenever they want, unlike Periscope, which limits viewing sessions to a specific time window.
However, it also has its drawbacks , as it can’t be viewed on mobile platforms. Its video broadcasts can only be watched on desktop computers.
Also, unlike Periscope, where users don’t need an account on the platform or to follow the brand to view content, Snapchat does require it.
As we’ve seen, there are many points in Periscope’s favor that make it a very interesting app for growing brands’ eCommerce. But it’s true that each brand should use the social network that best suits its needs and customers.
Now that you know all the benefits, ready to give Periscope a try for your brand? At Trilogi we can help. Just ask!
