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The Beginner’s Guide to Periscope

Consider this your beginner's guide to the new Periscope app in which you'll learn how Periscope works, how to download it, how to discover live broadcasts, and so much more. Prepare to catch Periscope fever!

“I’ve got a fever, and the only prescription is more Periscope!”  {Cue the cowbell.}

I've got a fever, and the only prescription is more Periscope!  |  The Beginner's Guide to Periscope: what it is, how to use it, and why you'll catch the fever too!

Have you caught Periscope fever, too?  If not, I have a hunch you’ll catch it by the end of this three-part series.  {Wink.}

Periscope is one of the fastest growing new social media platforms since the app first released for iOS devices this March and for Android this May.  In fact, it’s still so new by app standards, that for some of you, this may be the first time you’re hearing about it.

No shame.  I only heard about it 2 weeks ago.  And I only downloaded the app last week.

But within just a few days, I caught Periscope fever!  Seriously, y’all: I’m hooked.  Possibly borderline-obsessed.  And based on the number of friends and family I’ve seen join in on the ‘scope this week alone, the fever is quickly becoming a pandemic of epic proportions.

Now, before I share why Periscope fever is sweeping the globe (that’s the next post in this series), I wanted to start off by painting a picture of what exactly Periscope is and how it works.  Consider this your beginner’s guide to getting started!

What is Periscope?One of the best things about Periscope is the audience engagement through heart-love and comments!

Periscope is an app that allows you to stream live video broadcasts or “scopes” that anyone in the world can view and engage with in real time.

What does engagement look like?  Viewers have the fabulous ability to show love for the broadcaster through tapping the screen and giving “hearts,” and you can also pop into the conversation with comments!

So, wrap your head around this: within a matter of minutes, you can see someone riding home from work in Hawaii…then hop over to the Philippines join a Q & A with an entrepreneur who also happens to do hilarious impressions…then connect with a young lad in Italy about your shared experience of playing the tenor saxophone–all the while tapping the screen to give hearts and typing in comments to converse.

It’s pretty rad.

{And for the record, all three of those examples above are true to my experience.}

How do I view live scopes?

I’m so glad you asked!  So, there are three primary ways to find and view live scopes:

1.  Through a world map (hit the GLOBE icon), which shows red dots from locations that are streaming live at that very moment.  In order for a broadcaster to show up on the world map, location services need to be turned on; however, if that broadcaster doesn’t want viewers to be able to zoom in on their location to see the street name, there are other ways for viewers to find live scopes.

When location services are turned on, your broadcast will appear on the world map. Users can zoom in to see street location.

2.  Through the list view in your home feed.  You can see a list of scopes by broadcasters you follow on your home screen (hit the TV icon).  Adjust your Periscope settings to get push notifications to your phone whenever a broadcaster you are following goes live with a new scope.

Home Screen with LIVE Periscopes and replays.

3.  Through a link auto-posted to Twitter: if a broadcaster selects the Twitter bird before going live with a broadcast, the app will auto-post on Twitter on their behalf with the title of the scope and a link from which folk can view the broadcast online.  {Example.}

This is a great option for viewers who don’t have the app; however the big downside is that viewers cannot engage with the scope through tapping the screen to give hearts or commenting when watching online.

You can also grab that link during a broadcast by swiping right on an iOS device or swiping up on Android and hitting the SHARE button.  It will then give you the option to tweet the link or copy it.

How to share broadcasts on social media and Periscope!

What if I miss a live broadcast?

Never fear!  While broadcasts disappear from the world map after they end, they can still be replayed on Periscope from your home feed, user profile profile, or shared link for 24 hours.  However, once those 24 hours are up, the videos will vanish from Periscope…or go Periscope heaven, as I like to imagine.  {Wink.}

Wait a minute…the scopes disappear forever?

I know, I know.  That made me a little sad at first, too.  But get this: broadcasters can save a scope to their camera roll once it ends…or even adjust their settings to auto-save.  That way, the broadcasts can have an after-life of sorts on other platforms like YouTube or Facebook.  Nifty, eh?

Periscope Settings - Autosave Broadcast option!
Access your settings from your profile.

How do I find users to follow?

Another great question!  You’re full of ’em.  {Wink.}

There are a few different ways you can find Periscope users to follow, and the PEOPLE icon on the bottom right is your main avenue:

1.  Twitter sync.  If you use your Twitter log in to create your Periscope account, when you select the PEOPLE icon on the bottom right, you’ll see a list of people you’re following on Twitter who have also caught Periscope fever.  Just click the circle icon with the person and plus sign to add them to your list of people to follow.

PEOPLE to follow on Periscope from your Twitter follower pool!

2.  Search function.  From the same location as above, click on the magnifying glass symbol in the upper left and use it search for the name of a specific person, blog, or business.  Click that same circle icon with the plus sign to follow along.

{ASIDE: I’d be so honored if you searched for Lauren Lanker or @ThinkingCloset to add me to your list of people to follow!}

Use the magnifying glass on Periscope to search and find individual users to follow, like @ThinkingCloset!

3.  Scour other “Following” lists.  This was probably the primary way I have grown my list of users I follow.  For instance, my friend Kirsten Thompson @SweetTeaGrace was my first follow, so I selected her name to view her profile, then I selected FOLLOWING to view her list.  And from there, I grew my list with familiar faces and new folk I wanted to follow.  I continue to follow the rabbit trail of FOLLOWING lists to grow my own.

Periscope Following list!

4.  Follow back users who follow you.  I check my FOLLOWERS list daily, and follow back familiar faces, fellow bloggers, small biz owners, or folk who engaged with me in my scopes!  It’s a great way to support each other within the Periscope community.

Follow back your followers!

See Periscope in Action

Enough chatter!  Honestly, my best recommendation for getting to know the ropes of Periscope is to download the FREE app to your iOS or Android device, create an account either by using your Twitter log in or your phone number, and simply start clicking around.  That’s what I did!

I have found it to be one of the easiest apps to pick up in terms of learning the ins and outs, so don’t be intimidated by the new frontier that is Periscope.  Once you explore the terrain and watch a few scopes, you’ll understand why this fever is taking hold so quickly.

And for those of you who want to catch one of my replays that I’ve uploaded to YouTube, here’s a really fun one.  It’s evidence that on Periscope, anything is possible: even virtual dance parties on Monday nights.

Take us out, Christopher:

“I’ve gotta have more cowbell Periscope, baby!”

Your Turn

Has Periscope fever taken hold of you yet?  Either way, I’d love to know what you think of this new social media platform in the comments below.

Then, continue on to the next posts in this series by clicking the images below:

Why Periscope is Going to be a Game-Changer for Bloggers & Business Owners | If you're not on Periscope, here are 5 enticing reasons why you should be, especially if you're a blogger or business owner.

20 Quick Tips for NEW Broadcasters on Periscope

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