What do you get when you combine Periscope and Snapchat? Live video on Instagram Stories! Instagram has launched its new live video feature on the ever-popular Instagram Stories where users of the social app share blink-and-you-miss-it, temporary photos and videos that remain up on the feed for 24 hours. With over 100 million users per day, it’s an excellent live broadcast opportunity to take your followers and new audiences into the world of your brand.
Live videos will be seen in Instagram Stories as well as on the Explore page where they’ll be advertised. Unlike apps like Periscope, however, live videos may only be viewed on Instagram during streaming. Once the streaming is over, they disappear. Like many other live video applications, there is the option to engage. Viewers and broadcasters alike may comment during live streams. However, there is also the option of hiding feedback and the ability to report or block any troublemakers that may arise.
Instagram Spokesman Gabe Madway explains “Live is unedited and stays in the moment, and it’s the way many people on Instagram want to share”. It’s also what vast legions of followers on Instagram want to see – something new, fresh, exclusive and guaranteed to never have been seen before. In fact, Instagram hopes live video as well as the new ability to send Stories via private direct message rather than to all followers, will encourage users to share all type of moments – not just the “highlights” and the perfected moments.
We agree with Instagram’s mindset. It seems like a wonderful antidote to the perfection pressures of social media for many users, particularly teens and young adults. This push towards authenticity is also a business lesson. Brands can heed this mindset as well by crafting live video that is professional and accurately representative of their images while avoiding the perfection trap. Live video should feel natural to captivate audiences – avoid scripts and staging.
Live Video Opportunities for Your Business
There are really so many options available depending on your industry and target market.
Here are a few possibilities…
– Film the arrival and unpacking of a new collection.
– Go behind the scenes of a live event for a quick, casual and random interview.
– Share an inspiring thought for the day that ties in with your brand.
– Broadcast feedback from a customer or client.
– Explain how to use a product.
What would you present on a Stories live video stream?
