If you are a Periscope Newbie and haven't yet done your first scope, it may seem a little scary to start talking in front of a camera for all to see! It can be a bit frightening and overwhelming since it's live, you may feel exposed and nervous. Periscope Live streaming is very different from other social media platforms in the way that it's live and instant, if you can crack your nerves, you'll find this platform very useful for building new connections and growing your audience base. But where do you start? This post aims to help you get set up and help you be more confident to start using periscope. Set Up

Setting up your Periscope account is the best way to start! - Simply install the app on your phone. The set up process is very easy and self explanatory, like most social media. You will also need to decide if you'll sign up through your Twitter account and use the same name as there or create an account from scratch. You will also have the opportunity to add your bio and a web address.

Take a Looks around

Check out some other scopes before you begin so you get an idea of how it all works and what other people are doing. This is also a great way to start meeting new people and building up some initial followers. How do you start Periscoping?

It's so easy! Again,  to reiterate just how simple it is to get started! Just add a description of  your surroundings or the content you will be sharing and start streaming! Make sure you use a title that explains well what content you will be showing and include hashtags. It can be really daunting when you first go live, if this is the case a test can help - you are able to make your broadcast private and practice. To understand how it will look and the workings of the controls could really help with your confidence before you do your first real live public live-stream.

If you use the hashtag #firstscope on your first live broadcast people will know it's your first and will understand the pressures you have! Everyone had to do a first periscope once, so most people know what it's like.

Finally, from experience I can say that having done 100+ periscopes that the more you get on and do it the better your shows get. Be yourself and don't make it too polished, it's live, it's authentic and it's an opportunity for people to build relationships with the 'real you' and thats why in essence Periscope works so well.

Good Luck! You'll be great!

You'll find me @lucyshall on Periscope and Twitter and i'm always happy to answer any questions or give some moral support.

Listen to the audio version:

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