Meerkat for credit unions – Just try it, you’ll love it
There are only a few times I can think of in my social media history that I’d suggest immediately trying out a new platform just for the hell of it. Meerkat is one of those times.
Just using my fingers and toes, I can still count how long the live-streaming app Meerkat has been released into the wild (16 days at the time of this writing). And honestly, no one could grasp the coolness, simplicity and engagement quality this app would bring to your Twitter feed until SXSW began in Austin just a few days ago.
Here’s how it works:
- Download the app (only available on iPhones)
- Connect it to your Twitter account
- Press the “Stream” button
- Done
From the time it took me to download the app to start live-streaming a podcast I was recording took less than two minutes. This is where Google+ got it all wrong with their “Hangouts On Air,” which is their live-streaming addition to their platform – it’s too difficult to set it up.
Once you start “meerkatting,” a post will show up on your Twitter stream that you’re “Live Now” with a description of what you’re doing and there’s a link for your followers to click and watch your live stream. You can even schedule your live-streaming and all of your Meerkat followers will get an alert that your show is about to begin.
While I was meerkatting my podcast recording session (and yes, I had people watching me, which was strange since I record in a closet), viewers can also live comment on the stream and share it out to their followers.
During my tests/playing around with Meerkat, I watched some great Meerkats: people discussing social media on their balcony, a group at Mashable talking about the new Tesla news and I even watched a Spotify workout session at some gym in California.
Of course there are plenty of stupid Meerkats: some dude live-streaming himself eating his lunch at Chipotle and then another guy wandering in a parking lot screaming.
Here’s the thing credit unions, Meerkat is the expected evolution of social media from this Snapchat generation – it’s incredibly narcissistic, easy to use and has put you and your CU at the center of personalization in social media.
A hint about what works in social media, (like all other platforms) it’s you. For instance, I’ve been watching a series of Meerkats about a start-up business and the struggles and successes they are having on a daily basis. It’s fascinating and crazy interesting.
This is the kind of insight your CU could bring to the world of Meerkat.
Oh, and bonus – once your live-streaming is over, it’s gone. Just like Snapchat, it disappears and I think, is the push needed to keep moving you forward for the sake of your followers. Don’t look back, Meerkat.
Michael Ogden, founder of For3, LLC
Twitter: @for3forgood or @grabbingtoast
Podcast: For3 For Good
Michael has been in the social media business for more than a decade inside the credit union, technology, financial and food industries. He’s the founder of For3, LLC, which is the social media connection point between cooperatives/credit unions, local businesses and the craft beer industry. All have a loyal audience base waiting to be connected with to highlight the good happening in their communities because of these businesses.
