Have you heard of Periscope? It’s a new social media platform that is taking the internet by storm, and, I’m shocked to say that I’m absolutely loving it!
A few months back, my friend Rebekah began gushing about a new social media platform: Periscope.
Periscope allows users to LIVE stream whatever they are currently doing or watching–no matter where they are in the world.
At first, I thought there was no way I would join in on this newfangled platform. First of all, despite the fact that I’ve been running this blog for 4 1/2 years, I am slow to adapt to new technology. Really, I am not techie at all!
Secondly, when Periscope first came out I was already becoming increasingly disillusioned with how polluted the online world has become–even within the Christian blogging community.
But then…
I decided to give Periscope a try. I didn’t tell too, too many people (although I nonchalantly announced it right on the blog a few times), but I scoped my way through Costa Rica this summer. Then, I didn’t even know how to turn the camera to show my face, so I basically gave the handful of viewers a little peek into what all we were seeing and experiencing during our Latin American adventure.
I wasn’t even sure I would use Periscope after that.
But a couple weeks ago I had the opportunity to spend time with some dear blogging friends on a blogging retreat. One topic that came up was Periscope, and I was able to observe first-hand how my friend Crystal is absolutely rocking this new way to interact with her readers.
When I saw that using Periscope is allowing Crystal to go deeper with her online community, it made me re-think my initial apprehensions about using it.
You see, my “one word” for 2015 was deeper. I never know exactly how my one word theme will play out for the year, but my desire was to quit building a wider and taller “empire” of a blog and to somehow, someway go deeper with this community.
(My goal has been to also go deeper with my family and real-life community this year, and I have!)
I didn’t think I would dive into Periscoping so soon, but I’ve been trying it out this week, and I absolutely love interacting with you all this way.
Here’s why I am loving Periscope so much:
1. It fosters transparency.
One beef I’ve had with blogging this past year is that it seems many in the community have abandoned authenticity for more money-making ventures.
I don’t want to go there. I don’t want to be that.
When I started The Humbled Homemaker in 2011, my goal was to be transparent with you all. To be raw. To be real.
It doesn’t get much more realer than Periscope. Since it’s live, anything can happen on camera.
There have been several times when I’ve been interrupted while scoping, and it’s all just go with the flow. There’s no better way for readers to see inside your lives than to let them into the guest room and have your hubby knocking on the door and saying: “Honey! I need you to get off of there and help me move furniture!”
2. It (can be) spontaneous.
While I think that, ideally, it’s beneficial to plan out scopes, I love that when something strikes me that I want to share with you all, I can do it right then and there (and perhaps later expound with a blog post).
I am naturally a spontaneous person, and this past week I’ve enjoyed getting to share with you all my best tips for shopping at consignment sales, how I entertain myself during school car line, and what I’m making for dinner, all when the ideas just pop into my head.
3. It’s interactive.
This is one of my favorite Periscope features.
Not only does the person scoping share via live camera feed, but those watching can live comment by typing into a chat box!
I absolutely love seeing your profile pictures and comments pop up. I see you all as friends, and this makes the “friendship” more two-sided than it has been in the past.
I can see your comments immediately and reply back.
In addition, Periscope watchers can tap their screens to “give hearts” (the equivalent to a Facebook “like”). This is always so encouraging to the one periscoping!
4. It’s an extrovert’s dream social media platform.
Some of my favorite periscopers are actually introverts, but since I am an extrovert I needed to point out that this form of social media is simply perfect for those of us who gain energy by being around other people.
I feel like seeing my favorite scopers pop up on my phone during the day gives me a boost to get through the day.
5. It’s personable.
This is my most favorite characteristic of Periscope. I am a huge people person, and I love that this new social media platform is allowing me to get more personable with my readers (you!).
How to Find Me on Periscope
Right now there is no direct link to Periscope profiles, but it’s connected to Twitter.
You can download the free Periscope app here and search for my Twitter/Periscope handle: @humbledhome.
A big downside to Periscope is that the videos disappear after 24 hours. However, I just signed up for an app called Katch that will save scopes.
I hope to start saving some scopes soon. You can follow me there here.
A New Periscope Mini Series:
I have decided that I will mostly be periscoping homemaking, healthy living, and money-saving tips since those are three major focuses of this blog. I also want to simply give encouragement to mamas in the trenches. I’m also open to suggestions of what you would like for me to scope about!
Sometime within the next few days, join me for a week-long #thehealthyhome series. I will be periscoping one room of my home each day, and I will be teaching you some ways you can make each room of your home healthier for your family.
Want to follow some of my favorite Periscopers? Here are some that I LOVE:
Crystal of Money Saving Mom
Crystal has a morning show that airs each weekday at 7:00 a.m. CST (so 8:00 a.m. EST/my time). I try not to miss Crystal’s show because it is simply a super encouraging way to start the day. Her handle is @moneysavingmom.
Stephanie of Entre Family
Stephanie is scoping on entrepreneurial tips for work-at-home moms. I couldn’t catch her to get a screen shot! Her handle is @entrefamily.
Rebekah of Simply Rebekah
Rebekah blogs about everything frugal, green, and life in between, and her scopes are following this same theme. She also has just a really fun personality! Her handle is @SimplyRebekah.
Diana of My Humble Kitchen
Diana scopes about real food cooking, and let me tell you: This girl can COOK! She is definitely someone I want to learn from! Her handle is @dianabauman.
Stacy of A Delightful Home
Stacy is scoping a lot about homemade, green cleaners and other home products. Want to know something cool? She is originally from Australia! Her handle is @DelightfulHome.
Erica {[email protected]}
I love Periscope! I just started using it two weeks ago after being VERY hesitant to jump onto another social media platform. So glad I did!
Erin
Me too!
Lisa @ This Pilgrim Life
Ok. So like you, I have been reluctant to start another social media app. I feel like I’m am already “plugged in” so much, I want it to be worth the while. That being said, you make it sound so appealing! Thank you for sharing a bit more about what it all about. I’m glad you gave some people to start following right away. I have considered what I would even video, and I’ve thought that doing cooking and crafting “scopes” would be fun. I’m planning a series on getting kids in the kitchen in October and that would be a good time to jump in! (And definitely a “real” look into what it’s like!)
Erin
Oh I think you should definitely scope, Lisa! I am LOVING it!! I don’t want it to replace blogging because I love writing so much, but it’s definitely the most personable social media platform that I’ve found! (I still really love IG too!)
Worli
Absolutely! Live streaming has been thrust into the limelight recently with the release of Periscope. I downloaded it to my smart phone and started playing with the app and paying attention to how others were maximizing its potential. I quickly realized Periscope is the next powerful broadcasting tool. However, It forces you to begin your broadcast with only the option to shoot outward facing. So, if you’d like to begin your broadcast by speaking directly to camera, you can’t.
Stacy
I resisted – but I failed. LOL Being a You Tube junkie, this might become my favorite social media hangout.
Erin
LOL! I knew you would like it once you tried it.
Grammyprepper
I have a hard enough time keeping up on the FB pages I moderate and manage…I haven’t gotten into instagram, vimeo, etc. Of course I don’t have a camera on my laptop, and my phone isn’t up to date for the video apps…But good luck with periscope…wish i could follow you there too…
Alyssa
Awesome I’m on Periscope too. I tried to watch your scope the other day when you were doing that cooking, but I wasn’t able to keep it live it kept dropping.
But I’ll try to catch you again!