With the emphasis on real time marketing and customer engagement in recent years, we explore how various social media platforms have introduced unique features for companies to keep their customers in the loop of the latest news and happenings.
First, let’s look at some of these platforms:
Facebook Live
Facebook Live offers live-streaming video capabilities to users. Currently, the maximum time limit for a broadcast is 90 minutes.
During the live broadcast, you will be able to see the number of live views, who is tuning in to your video and also, receive comments in real time. After the broadcast, the video will be made permanently available on your page. You can also make changes to your video, and perhaps amplify the reach of your video by creating a video ad for it.
Periscope
Periscope is a live-streaming app owned by Twitter that allows anyone to broadcast messages or videos live on the go. Anyone who has joined your broadcast will be able to view your live videos.
Similar to Facebook Live, users can ‘like’ the broadcast by clicking the hearts on the screen as well as comment live on the broadcast. The comments appear on top of the video and disappears after awhile. After the live broadcast is over, the video can be replayed for 24 hours before it is removed.
YouTube Live Streaming
YouTube Live Streaming allows you to film and stream videos live on YouTube. You can also preview before you go live and stop the live stream whenever you want. Soon, you will also be able to broadcast live with your smartphone on YouTube, just like you do with the other social media apps mentioned.
Snapchat
Snapchat allows users to take photos and videos and edit them using creative tools like fonts, digital crayons, filters, including animated filters and more. These photos and videos are arranged in chronological order to give the idea of a narrative over the course of the day. After a period of 24 hours, the stories disappear.
Instagram Stories
Instagram Stories are similar to Snapchat with a few missing features. Instagram Stories allow you to post photos and videos in chronological order as well, and you can edit them by doodling on the photos or using different filters. These photos and videos do not appear in your regular collection of Instagram posts and disappear after 24 hours.
So how do you decide which platform to use?
Well, it depends on the type of content you are sharing and which social media platforms do most of your customers use. Here’s our recommendations!
Ultimately, we reckon that these platforms will add a personal touch to your brand and allow your customers to discover a different side of your business. Each of these platforms are unique in their own ways in helping you to connect with your customers. You can even use the different platforms for varying purposes and reach out to a wider range of audience!
