Periscope – Arrggghhhh!

A few weeks ago I was introduced by a lovely businesswoman friend to Periscope. I’d never heard of it before.

It’s a Twitter-connected app which allows anyone to point a camera phone at themselves – or anything else - and broadcast. Other Periscope users can view the video live; comment on what they see/hear and interact with the broadcaster. Once the video has finished it is available on the Periscope site for 24 hours for further viewing. Some users then capture their videos and put them up on YouTube etc for posterity.

Like everything else, it is a tool and can be used for good and ill. I’m sure there are plenty of trolls posting insults on videos, and people broadcasting for weird reasons, but you can also choose who you ‘follow’ (like on Twitter) and you will then receive a pop-up when one of the people you follow is about to go live with a scope.

So far I have followed about five people – as you would expect, those I know or have common interest with, and I have lurked and watched – and learned.

So having just started two new businesses (Find Your Family – genealogy service, and NLPIOW – as an NLP coach, trainer and counsellor) it looks like the right time to actually take the plunge and scope myself. As I would say to any procrastinators out there, the only right time is now. So this afternoon I will take that plunge. See you on the other side....