Have you ‘Scoped or Blabbed yet? Maybe you just like to Hangout. If you're not sure what I'm talking about, these are just a few of the many live streaming platforms out on the web right now.
Maybe you've watched others do live streams… but it may not be clear just how you can use use this technology to grow your coaching or training business. As platforms like Periscope, Blab, Google Hangouts, YouTube Live, Facebook Live, and others continue to develop, there are likely to be more and more creative ways to use them. For now, here are some of the more common uses.
Interviews
Most coaches can take advantage of interviewing experts in their field. Maybe you're the one who wants to be the one interviewed. It is simply a matter of finding someone to interview you and creating the broadcast. But even that isn’t completely necessary as you can run the interview on your own. You simply come up with questions that you want your viewers to know the answers to, then you start broadcasting those answers.
Open Office Hours
Why not invite several of your trusted clients to jump on a live stream broadcast and let them ask you questions about your work? They can also tell you what they like about your services and what areas they'd like to see further developed. This is a golden opportunity to connect directly with them and get some great feedback.
Niche Tips Broadcast
You don't even need to offer traditional ‘training' or ‘coaching' on these platforms. Actually, any business can provide tips about their area of specialty to clients or customers …and, of course, potential customers. Accountants could teach people how to read a spreadsheet. Marketers can give tips about how to increase conversions in a sales funnel, etc. These are just two of many examples.
Testimonials
Testimonials help sell more of what you have to offer. Potential clients love to know that others had a great experience with you and there is no better way to provide this than to use testimonials. Getting testimonials from clients via a live broadcast might be a technical challenge for some… but just about anyone with a smartphone can download and record with the Periscope app, making it even easier to get testimonials from your clients.
One word of caution about testimonials, though: be sure to ask the customers to provide an ‘honest' testimonial. Government oversight agencies (the FTC in the United States, for example) are cracking down on false testimonials or ones that are given in exchange for cash or awards.
Before and After Broadcasts
I'm probably not going out on a limb when I say that your business model is to transform something into something better. Well, if that's the case, how about doing before and after broadcasts. This can help show potential clients just what kind of work you are capable of doing.
Crowdfunding
You can use broadcasting to state your case when you want to raise funds for your business. say you are working on writing a book or creating a new course – you can give information on where the money is going to go. You can also let potential funders know what kinds of rewards are available (if any) at certain levels of funding. Also, you can get people that have pledged money to state why they chose to fund your initiatives.
Keep Ahead of the Curve
As I write this, live streaming is only in its infancy, so there's a ton of things to keep on learning over time. That's why I've developed the Social Marketing Mastermind. To help coaches, mentors, and leaders better understand how to leverage the power of social media channels to grow. And I'd like to invite you inside today for just $1. You can get all the details and get a sneak preview here.
