Periscope for Authors (and other small business owners)

Apr 4, 2016
2 min read

An excerpt from "When Books Fly: Social Media Secrets for Bestselling Books"

Periscope is livestreaming video app for mobile devices, with Twitter integration. It's still in its infancy, but rapidly gaining popularity.

The user has the ability to steam live video or to watch a live stream of video. Followers can watch in live time or on a short delay. The videos disappear within a few hours (similar to SnapChat). Followers who watch in live time are able to interact back with the broadcaster through the means of text and “likes.” Due to the nature of Periscope, it has great marketing potential for authors. No one can tell an author’s story better than the author themselves.

What is Periscope?

Periscope is an app that allows you to broadcast or view live video from your phone or device. You can also share the link to your live broadcast, and people can watch from periscope.tv (but you can't broadcast from .tv.) People "scope" (share video) from around the world and connect with followers in real time.

For people to watch your videos on Periscope they must have the Periscope app. It’s owned by Twitter, so when you broadcast you can click a button and automatically have it go to all Twitter followers.

Similar to Twitter you follow people, and people follow you. Unlike Twitter, Periscope doesn't stop with those who are following you. Unless you put in specific privacy settings, the app is set up to encourage you to be discovered by new people as well.

One of the best ways for people to find you is when you are active on someone else's broadcast. If they like what you have to say they’ll follow you back!

When you broadcast you can see who is “attending” your session. Their user name (or Twitter name) will be visible to you. Individuals watching can ask provide feedback or comment on your broadcast. Viewers can also tap the screen to give you hearts to indicate they like what you are doing or saying. The more hearts you have the more others can see that you’re giving value to viewers.

Ways to Use Periscope as an Author

Do a live reading of your book. What better way to get people interested in a book, than to hear the book read by the author?
Share live events, such as book signings, conventions, etc. (I'll be speaking at Awesome Con in a few weeks, and I plan to "scope" my panel, assuming the WiFi is strong to support it.)
Host an expertise session where you discuss the topic of your book with another expert. This can work for fiction or non-fiction. Share background, research, historical data, or any fun stories from the writing process.