My prediction that one day Instagram will single handedly kill Snapchat and Periscope is slowly coming to fruition. Welcome to the social media game Instagram Live. While Instagram Live is not Periscope for so many reasons, one being that people have to be following you to know that you are live, where as on Periscope people searching a location see the live videos that are streaming, it's at least a start.
When you are live on Instagram a bubble with the word live will pop up on your screen name. Some of your friends who follow you will get a notification that you are Live and will be prompted to tune in before your video is finished. Similar to the new Instagram algorithm, Instagram will choose which of your followers or users to notify based off their interest in Live videos. The reason being Instagram is looking out for it's users that it doesn't want to annoy then with an alert every time someone they follow goes live. Like Periscope when watching, your viewers can tap to heart/like your video, comment and type questions.
I'm sure that you're now wondering, "Why should I be live on Instagram?" Well the real reason is that it is putting you directly in front of your audience. Live viewers choose what they want to watch and if they are choosing to watch you then they know that you have something powerful to say.
Since this is such a newer update, here are a few ideas to get started and become comfortable on Instagram Live.
* Host a Q & A like the every popular #fridayintroductions posts let your community ask you questions and get to know you and your business.
* Give a behind the scenes. These are always super popular because your community wants to be the first to know what you are up to or what you think is cool. That is why they are following you after all.
* Show off something awesome that you are doing. At a historic place, at a place that means alot to you, show your community talk about it.