Blab, Periscope, and Meerkat: Who Will Win the Live Streaming Throwdown?

 

It’s been the summer of live streaming apps. First, Meerkat took South by Southwest by storm back in March. The Meerkat’s were still streaming conference speakers and swag tents when Periscope popped it’s head up, Twitter grabbed it and left Meerkat in the corner.

Now, six months later, Blab is everywhere.

These live streaming apps give me new insight into the oft-quoted statistic about the internet being 70% video by 2017.

So THIS is where it’s going…interesting.

Quick story:

I was doing some client research on Meerkat vs. Periscope. Which would be better for their purposes? I’d downloaded both and were checking them out.

The voyeuristic nature of ‘Scope and Meerkat were mildly interesting and I could see how businesses could definitely use it.

For example, I’ve done some social media training with a concierge/tour guide service based in Paris.

PARIS! One of the most iconic cities in the world. Periscope was MADE for them. They can ‘scope walks around town, stop by Shakespeare & Co. for quick interviews with employees or shoppers and so much more.

In fact, for a company like that, a daily Periscope (‘Scope for short) is a great way to give a peek into what they do and where they do it. (Can’t you see it?)

And yes, you can upload them to YouTube for longevity.

A pet sitter could ‘scope herself taking her charges for their daily dog walks. Her (human) clients would get a sense of her personality and how she is with the furkids before they ever even meet her.

Periscope is definite more active judging from my phone notifications. It also has about 8 million more users.

However…..

What about Meerkat?

Meerkat’s interesting but the user interface is not as “clean” as Periscope’s. What’s different is it integrates with Facebook and you can embed a live stream link into your website. If you use it a lot, that would make your site look nice and active and people could get to know you.

You can also pop into another person’s Meerkat meaning instead of it being a one person show (unless you’re in the same room and lean into the same camera) you can have more interaction with a fellow “Meerkatter.”

I saw a jeweler designer using the heck out of Meerkat to live stream her jewelry making process — all day, everyday — and she had viewers. I saw several fitness trainers using the app to demonstrate training.

Those are both good uses of the tools.

What About Blab?

This is the one I’m most excited about. I can see a writer and trainer like me using this tool. Why? You can host interviews and conversations with people all over the world.

I like the interactive nature of it. It feels less “broadcasty” and more like a conversation.

I mean check out the screenshot. For a split second, I was in the lower left hand corner and able to ask questions (I didn’t grab that screenshot because frankly, it was my first time and took me by surprise.)

Yes, you can take questions on any of them but with Blab – as the viewer with a question – you can be on the air at a moment’s notice.

You can also upload it to YouTube or save it as a podcast on iTunes.

 

What about you? How will you use these live streaming apps in your business?