How mobile video streaming apps are changing events forever
How mobile video streaming apps are changing events forever
By now you might have caught wind of the buzz-generating new mobile video streaming apps, Periscope and Meerkat. These tools allow you to live-broadcast video directly from a smartphone…making it possible for anyone, anywhere to report live events to hundreds or thousands of viewers.
In only a few short months, these tools have generated major buzz and Facebook is joining the bandwagon. On July 17th, Facebook launched Mentions, their own version of live video streaming currently available only to VIP public figure users like Dawyne “The Rock” Johnson and Serena Williams.
So, why are these tools so important?
Video is omnipotent.
Video captivates the attention of the viewer immediately – using the power of both sight and sound – and hooks deeply into our memories. It’s easy to consume. Proof in point, Facebook’s video views top 4-billion per day, on average. Every day people watch hundreds of millions of hours on YouTube and generate billions of views…and that number just keeps climbing. That’s a whole lot of people consuming a whole lot of video content.
They’re accessible.
In years past, if you wanted to live stream something you had to have a laptop, a streaming account (like Livestream) and a mic and camera. Now, all you need is a smartphone and WIFI. That, my friends, is the epitome of accessibility. So, you could be virtually anywhere, hold up your phone and click “Go Live”.
They’ve got massive reach potential.
These tools connect to your Facebook and Twitter accounts, notifying your fans, followers and friends that you’re broadcasting and making it possible to reach vast audiences.
Interaction is the name of the game.
Unlike their live streaming predecessors, Periscope, Meerkat and Mentions all allow viewers to interact with the streaming host. So, imagine someone broadcasting a video of a Q&A with an event speaker. Viewers can chime in with questions and requests…elevating it from simply streaming video to creating conversations.
How will this impact event audio visual and events?
Let’s imagine that you’re hosting a conference and tradeshow. Your guests, using their smart phones, can now broadcast virtually any component of your event – from hotel accommodations to speaker sessions.
And that can pose both challenges and opportunities for event organizers…
Paid content can be made available to people who haven’t paid, organizers can lose control over who sees and interacts with the event, mistakes can be aired live for all to see and hear. BUT the opportunities are also rife. Planners can now reach new and larger audiences with rich video content, they can leverage the connections of their attendees’ audiences and they can find great user-generated content from all aspects of their event.
