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Your Radio Show Is No Longer Just A 'Day Part,' It's An Enterprise
March 24, 2015
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You may have heard about the latest social/live stream video app, Meerkat.
There are similar apps out there, but Meerkat is the latest and greatest to get the buzz. And whether or not the app sustains itself, there's one thing for sure: live video, raw and real, is where social consumption is going. In fact, prior to Meerkat's launch, Twitter bought the live stream app, Periscope, that is currently in beta.
So what does an app like Meerkat mean to you and your brand?
When emerging platforms earn this level of chatter, it's your opportunity to show up and play around with it - entertain the portion of fans that are early adopters. That simple act alone offers a sense of realness to your product -- something critical for brand-building in the 21st century.
Jimmy Fallon is always taking new apps for a test drive with fans. Just last week he practiced his monologue, live on Meerkat, in front of thousands of fans.
And as that was happening, I saw a few in radio firing up Meerkat and simply playing around with it. Shorty at B937/WFBC Greenville had just started a behind-the-scenes Q &A when I had Meerkat open:
And Cash at KTTS/Springfield was also talking it up with the audience:
Not every app takes off and becomes mass market like Instagram has. Some are very niche, like Vine, and serve a singular purpose. So this is not about comparing apps or guessing if this is "the next big thing."
It's about paying attention, and being prepared to be present with fans when duty calls.
Your radio show is no longer a day part -- it's an enterprise that should always be on.
Just be careful you don't live stream just for the sake of live streaming. Determine what it is that is of real value to the fans.
The power of real-time visual keeps the fans connected to you - especially when they aren't listening. It's just a matter of hacking our way to discovering what the audience responds to -- what they find interesting.
My suspicion is that live streaming would be even more intriguing when you're not on the air. That means showing them "real life" moments beyond the mic -- when you're not so polished.
I look forward to watching what you do with live streaming.
Finding our way on emerging platforms with fans is a great way to build on the believability that your great traditional brand is also a true social brand.
Reach out to me anytime on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter.
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