Just as the livestreaming market was cornered by Meerkat, a new video app made its grand debut. Periscope, a Twitter app, is giving its competitor a run for its money. 

Have a Q&A? Webinar? Event? Bust out your smartphones and get ready to live stream. 

Getting Started: Meerkat VS Periscope

The App

1. Download the app at your iTunes store, then let the fun begin
2. Follow other users to see their feeds
3. To watch a  live stream, simply tap the feed 
   • You can add comments at questions at the bottom of the screen
   • You can exit by clicking "x"
4. For your own stream, click on the camera icon at the bottom. 

While both are video streaming apps, they do have some differences. 

• Periscope allows replay on the list of videos added while Meerkat allows videos to vanish to create a sense of urgency
  • Periscope also allows offline viewing
• Twitter started limiting Meerkat's access to the social network prior to launching Periscope
• Periscope is considered to have a better UX feel and more polished look than Meerkat
• When commenting on the video, Periscope comments are within the video while Meerkat broadcasts all comments to Twitter

They also share common ground such as being able to message and comment during the live streaming. Sadly for Android lovers, both apps are only for iOS. The two similar apps make it difficult to pick, but no one really needs both. 

The Brands

Twitter made a smart move by allowing companies to test out Periscope first. 

What The Brands Are Doing: 

• Spotify: Behind-the-scenes coverage with Irish folk singer Conor O'brien. 
• Mountain Dew: A short video of a girl spelling out "Swag" on a chalkboard in front of branded merchandise. 
• DKNY: Fashion closet tour.
• General Electric: Behind-the-scenes on StarTalk Radio with astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye.
• BarkBox: Puppies in the office! 

How will your brand use Periscope? 

Marketing with Periscope

Now that everyone has access (aside from Android users), we can use Periscope for our own businesses. 

Legal Issues

Whoa! This is just a livestreaming app, how could there possibly be legal issues? First, keep in the issues below in mind before you go off making videos for your business or clients. 

1. Celebrities could sue you for filming an event attended by them and uploading the video without permission
2. Filming passerbyes could also result in a lawsuit
   • Legal release forms are always needed for images and videos involving people, especially for commercial purposes
3. You pretty much have all of the same worries that you would have had if you opted for a TV slot instead

Whether it is Periscope or Meerkat, what do the marketers actually think? 

User generated content (UGC) from peers is on the rise and is the most effective marketing weapon in the marketing toolbox for brands who know how to use it effectively

Thomas Lyngsfeldt,  Social Soup 

Peers [are] the most trusted source of information across all categories in Australia. Furthermore, 92% trust recommendations from peers according to Nielsen.

George Pappas, G Squared 

Ways To Market

• Q&A sessions

• Live group support

• Releasing new product features

• Company announcement

• Insider views

• Showing your product in action

Have you tried either app? Let us know your favorite on Twitter!