Health Fitness

Blab: fashion or fabulous?

The first thing I heard from Blab.im was when my friend Brian G. Johnson posted on Facebook that he was hosting a Blab. Soon after, Joel Comm was promoting his Blab. Before I knew it, many of my friends and colleagues were chatting and having a great time doing it.

My initial thought was, “Oh no! Not another OST – shiny shiny object.”

With all the new distractions on social media, I really thought this was just one more to add to the yard of bones in ways that will soon be forgotten to fill up time online without thinking.

Knowing Brian and Joel as I do, Blab deserved further investigation. After all, these two online rock stars seem to always be on the forefront of how to serve their communities.

After further examination, I got the error. And I predict that Blab will create an immense opportunity for those who strategically use this platform and the incredible capabilities that Blab offers.

The best thing about Blab is that there are virtually no barriers to entry. Unlike Google Hangouts, Blab is very easy to use. Even the most non-tech savvy person can get it right from the start.

As with everything, there is always Pros and cons. Here is my take on it Pros and cons.

PROS

  • What I really like about Blab is that you can use it as an open discussion forum, training platform, or just talk about current affairs.
  • Limited number of chamber participants. Some people think that having only four people on camera at a time is a major disadvantage. I personally like this feature. This avoids a free-for-all conversation that could quickly spiral out of control.
  • If you’re the Blab host, you have full control over how long you allow someone to stay in front of the camera. In other words, if you have someone who is inappropriate, tries to take control of the conversation with their own schedule, or is just an idiot, you can dismiss them.
  • The user interface is very simple and yet it has room to grow.
  • One of the best features is the Twitter integration. While in a Blab, you can send tweets to all your Twitter followers by clicking the button that says “Tell a little bird.” Participants can do the same. In no time, your Blab is being tweeted to untold numbers of people.
  • From what some experts claim, they are gaining a large following, their subscriber lists are increasing, and their visibility is skyrocketing.
  • Another cool feature is the ability to record your session. Many experts are using their recorded Blabs for membership sites, podcast shows, and creating more value for their community.
  • You can go live right away or schedule your Blab to allow your community to plan accordingly.

CONS

Although the advantages are plentiful, there are some disadvantages. However, the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

  • You have no privacy on Blab. Once it’s live, anyone can join.
  • Blab has already proven to be an OST for some people. The phrase “Blab Addict” is starting to surface.
  • If someone uses Blab simply for the purpose of occupying their time, they may end up wasting precious time searching for high-content Blabs.
  • From what I’ve seen, there are more “time-wasting” blabs than there are actually useful ones.

Make the most of the Blabs you host or participate in

The following recommendations are for those who want to use Blab to improve their market reach, visibility, and position their expert status.

  • Use the Blab platform as you would any other training environment. In other words, treat participants’ time with respect and give them something useful from your Blab.
  • Make sure what is displayed on camera is not distracting. For example, don’t do the Blab in your bedroom with an unmade bed in sight.
  • Avoid noise and distractions while presenting or participating in front of the camera with Blab.
  • Record the session to reuse it in a podcast episode, content for a membership site, or added value for your subscribers.
  • Dress up and act however you want to convey to viewers. I can’t believe how many people I’ve seen on camera with messy hair, eating or dining at the Blab, picking their nose (yes, I saw one person picking their nose) and / or looking bored while others are talking.
  • Have fun. This is the key for others to have fun. If they see you having fun, they probably will too.
  • Keep things on target. Unless your Blab is free for everyone, keep the conversation going. It will keep your viewers more engaged.
  • Recognize people who join the Blab. A quick hello works great.

Ready to jump on the Blab bandwagon? All you need to do is go to Blab.im to start Blabbing.

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