Live Streaming Your Way To Multifamily Success.

Marketing is the key to gaining momentum for any business. With the advent of social media, marketing has gotten easier but at the same time harder. Sure, anyone can blast out messages on Twitter and Facebook, but it's important to take the competition in consideration. If they're using the same channels as you with similar messages, how are you standing out from the noise? The short answer is you probably aren't. But that's ok because new channels are popping up at a pace quicker than people realize. Enter social media's next big thing: live streaming. Live streaming is recording and broadcasting in real time for the world to see. We're not talking about Vine or Snapchat, where recorded footage is uploaded then viewed. This new format is in its infancy; meaning if you get on now you'll have the competitive edge. And the best part is they're simple to use and integrate with your current accounts! The only limits are your imagination.

For those in the multifamily industry, imagine live streaming a community event. By live streaming, you're showing viewers the community and property on a personal level. Who knows, potential residents may watch to gather insights. If the event is a success and looks appealing, it might be enough to get them in the leasing office! Or what about live streaming those property renovations for a bit? If a potential resident is watching, this demonstrates a commitment to keeping the property and community in shape. The marketing possibilities are truly endless with this new form of social media. So are you ready to start but don't know where to begin? Don't worry, we've got you covered.

• Facebook - In December of 2015, Facebook introduced its live video feature. The "Live" option rolled out to celebrities and public figures first, but now anyone can use it. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg says: "Live is like having a TV camera in your pocket. Anyone with a phone now has the power to broadcast to anyone in the world." And with a user base of 1.5 billion people, imagine the content you can create.

• Periscope - Launched on March 26, 2015, Periscope was one of the first in the space. The company recently celebrated their first year and provided some staggering data. In the first year, Periscope had 200 million broadcasts and 110 years of content watched live EVERY DAY! The best part is Twitter owns Periscope, making integration into your current account painless.

• Meerkat - Making its debut shortly before Periscope, Meerkat integrates with Facebook and Twitter. But as of two weeks ago, Meerkat has started to change focus. Its stiff competition with Facebook and Periscope forced Meerkat to shift gears. The company has been silent about the app's new direction but CEO Ben Rubin says Meerkat will be a social network where “everybody is always live.” Keep your eyes on this exciting new direction.

Live streaming is going to play a big role in social media marketing. If you're trying to get the world to know how awesome your community is, this is a great way show them what you’re made of. With a little creativity, you can easily show the masses why your community isn't like any other. So get ready, it's time to go live!