Live Streaming is just getting started.
An emerging trend in digital media that caught waves this past year is Live Streaming. We have seen companies like Periscope, Meerkat and Facebook Live tap into this growing phenomenon. While this medium is still in its infancy, I believe it will be a larger player in 2017 as a popular story telling platform to watch out for. In our current society, we want things done in real time…where we can absorb and digest visuals with minimal thinking. Live Streaming serves this purpose for the business user and personal end.
Live Streaming is a great businesses tool for a variety of reasons. It allows consumers to see some of their favourite brands from a behind the scenes point of view. Whether they are on location at a trade show for a product launch, companies give viewers unprecedented access, making you feel like you are part of the brand. Using live video keeps users hooked into the product and up to date with all the latest happenings.
Live Streaming covers everything.
From a personal standpoint, we have seen just how popular Live Streaming can get. The 2016 U.S. Presidential debate was the first of its kind to include this technology. This past fall, Facebook Live alone garnered unprecedented 55 Million views in the war of words between Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton. Live video just isn’t about celebrating birthday parties or showing your babies’ first walking steps with your followers. All realities of life are broadcasted. This was highlighted by Diamond Reynolds’ horrific post visual of her boyfriend Philandro Castile being shot four times by a police officer, raising the problems of racial tensions in America.
Overall, I believe we will see an increased amount of Live Streaming in 2017. More companies will emerge through this platform and take advantages of the benefits it can offer. It is a growing medium for companies to generate product awareness, potential video ad revenue and reach new audiences.
How to keep up with all these trends?
In terms of how I will stay relevant with constant changes in the digital sphere, I intend to stay glued to my smartphone. Mobile has taken over desktop, and it is truly the central hub on how we connect with everyone. Whether it’s checking the weather at breakfast, Shazaming that song on the radio, or simply connecting on multiple social media platforms, all the latest apps simplify my time when I’m on the go. Believe it or not, I will also rely on the Facebook Trending Topics section of their site. Since I’m on there all the time, I am also getting information on what’s going on with the rest of the world.
I will also continue to stay engaged with influential blogger and established websites, who continue to keep me up to date with the latest developments in technology. Content marketing still interests me, and reading up on the latest happenings is a major key. In terms of Live Streaming, I definitely see the value in it and will push to become more comfortable in using this platform. While we can take 12 pictures of ourselves and select the best one to publish, live video is one continuous shot, so all angles of you are off limits! With that being said, check out my infograph below that I created with Canva on how to stay on top of emerging digital trends.
Resources
DeMers, Jayson. “7 Online Marketing Trends That Will Dominate 2017.” Forbes. Forbes Magazine, 14 Nov. 2016. Web. 29 Nov. 2016. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/jaysondemers/2016/11/14/7-online-marketing-trends-that-will-dominate-2017/#5a3bf928dec8>.
Gaenzle, Anthony. “Staying on Top of Digital Trends to Stay Relevant to Students – Content Science Review.” Content Science Review. Content Science Review, 08 Nov. 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016. <http://review.content-science.com/2016/11/staying-on-top-of-digital-trends-to-stay-relevant-to-students/#>.
Harris, Jodi. “23 Things to Consider When Creating Video Content.” Content Marketing Institute. UBM, 11 Apr. 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016. <http://contentmarketinginstitute.com/2016/04/video-content-examples/>.
Hobson, Joshua. “How to Keep Up with Trends in Digital.” Statement. Cognitiv, 5 Feb. 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016. <https://www.statementagency.com/blog/2016/02/how-to-keep-up-with-trends-in-digital>.
“Trend Report: The Rise of Live Video Streaming.” Feedly. Feedly, 30 Apr. 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016. <https://blog.feedly.com/trend-report-the-rise-of-live-video-streaming/>.
Wilbert, Max. “Top 7 Live Video Streaming Trends for 2016 – DaCast.” DaCast. DaCast, 15 Sept. 2016. Web. 28 Nov. 2016. <http://www.dacast.com/blog/7-live-video-streaming-trends-2016/>.