15 Things I Discovered My First Week on Periscope

Last week was my very first week on Periscope, and I've got to say, this is a whole new world. Live streaming can make one feel very vulnerable. Baring it all! No, no, I didn't really "bare it all", but it sure feels like it. There's no editing, no cue cards, NADA. 100% you, flaws and all. 

And yet...I LOVE IT.

You get to interact with people in live time! How cool is that? It's so so rad! Q&As can happen. Real time advice is possible. Truly getting to know people through social media is here! If you aren't on there, I highly encourage you to at least try it. Watch a few people that interest you! It's so fun discovering Scopers. Before you jump on, here are a few tips and tidbits I learned from my first week on Periscope.

Watching Other Scopers:

1. Periscope is like a live podcast with video. You don't necessarily have to be glued to the phone to hear all the great content. I once cooked dinner while listening to a Hilary Rushford scope. :)

2. If a scoper has signed up for Katch.me, their videos will be saved longer than 24 hours. It is a free service that connects with their Twitter account, so if you missed a live broadcast and its replay, this is another option to watch it. I suggest adding it to your scopes as well.

3. Double-tap the screen to give the scopers hearts. This is Periscope's version of the Facebook "like" button, but here you can "like" as many times as you want!

4. Try to follow 100 scopers or less. Otherwise, you will have a ton of notifications all day and it will be hard to keep up with your favorites.

If You Are Broadcasting:

5. You will not look perfect. There is no editing with this live platform. Accept it. OWN IT.

6. Do not film in landscape. The video will not convert...yet. 
*UPDATE 9/10/15: App has been updated and you CAN film in both landscape and portrait. Rad!

7. Every scope begins with the camera facing away from you. Be sure it is aimed at something pretty and not your dirty laundry. ;)

8. Get a tripod. It frees up your hands.

9. Have good lighting. Natural lighting is best.

10. Do NOT wear crazy-patterned or super bright clothing. It's distracting!

11. Save your favorite scopes on your personal YouTube. Your replay will disappear after 24 hours on Periscope.

12. This platform is still new. There is no perfect formula on how to be successful with Periscope.

13. Be Authentic! This platform is all about having genuine connections with your followers.

14. Not everybody will stay til the end of your broadcast, and that's okay! They might come back later and watch your replay.

15. Tweet out your broadcast! Add a hashtag to the title of your scope and it will bring more viewers in. 

Periscope is still new and constantly improving! I find it exciting to be a part of this community so early on. If you join, you can find me by searching for @CozyReverie or catch my replays at Katch.me/CozyReverie.  I mainly scope about ways to incorporate creativity in every day life and the occasional Disney-nerdism. Hope to see you there!