Periscope is a great platform for video loving publishers and fans, however, without proper etiquette it can go a bit too far and even get you kicked out of live events. Here are five things you don’t want to do with Periscope at live events, and what to do instead to remain in the graces of the event organizers while still satisfying your Persicope fans.

5 Sure Ways to Use Periscope to Get Kicked Out of an Event

1. Break contract

Very soon I expect to see a Periscope clause or live broadcasting clause in all speaking contracts. Make sure if you are speaking somewhere that you read the whole thing.

2. Scoping a planned (on the agenda) session/activity without permission

Many events and conferences have media sponsors and other sponsors who have paid pretty hefty fees to cover the event. They earn their living by sharing the event through their media streams. When someone comes in and gives viewers live coverage for free, it takes away from the business of the media sponsor. An article in The Telegraph recently warned Wimbledon Tennis fan about using Periscope at their event.

The event may also be selling audio or video recordings of the sessions to those who could not attend in person. Live streaming those sessions for free undermines the events’ efforts to serve their community and make a living, and it slights the attendees who paid to be there in person.

3. Watching a scope in the midst of a planned (on the agenda) session or activity

I mentioned in a recent post how rude and distracting it was to try to listen respectfully to the event organizer’s speech and announcements during dinner while someone at our table was watching a live scope.

4. Walking into a conversation unannounced while scoping

Here is the scenario. It is break time at the event, you decide to scope to your followers and want to just walk around introducing your live viewers to whoever you run into. Problem is, you walk up to a conversation, not realizing that it is the event organizer discussing a sensitive issue with the hotel staff or catering company, and you have suddenly just aired their dirty laundry for all the world to see. At the very least this is embarassing both of them.

5. Bad-mouthing the event at the event

Even if you are scoping during a break or on your own time or in your own hotel room during an event, never publicize the negative, especially if you are a sponsor, or speaker, or want to be in the future! I have mentioned before that Periscope is a bed ripe for slander and libel lawsuits. Don’t give anyone reason to start on with you.

So what do you do instead?

1. Honor the contract

Be sure that if Periscope is not addressed in your contract that you ask the event organizer for clarification of dos and don’ts prior to your session.

2. Scope outside of activities

Scope just outside a session prior to entering if you want to check in with your followers or give a heads up to watch for tweets of info from the next session. Or scope a summary once the session is over, perhaps even get a quick word with the presenter. This helps you, but also helps the event serve their sponsors and attendees as well.

3. Be polite

If you are at a live event and an outside the event scope is that important, have the courtesy to excuse yourself from the activity and watch the scope somewhere where it will not be a distraction for the presenters and other attendees.

4. Never scope surprises

Live events are great places to record interviews, get promotional video clips and share immediate feedback from the event and sessions. However, you should always get permission from the people who will be on the scope prior to beginning your broadcast. And if you plan to use the recorded scope for something else in the future, or include it in a product, it is best to get their permission in writing, just as you would a model’s release for images.

5. Stay positive

Never speak negatively about other people, brands, events or companies. For more on this, see this post.

In the next few months I expect there will be much more we could add to this discussion as event planners and media companies learn to adjust for Periscope.

One positive use of Periscope by an event was at the 2015 Young Living annual convention. Many of the sessions throughout the day were overcrowded and they even had to turn people away. The sessions were not recorded or broadcast to overflow rooms, so the organizers improvised by creating a Periscope handle for each session location and assigning an event worker to periscope that session for those who did not arrive in time to get a seat. Brilliant and appropriate use of the technology.

What has been your experience and observations about Periscope at live events? Please let me know what you think.