As popular as “real-time marketing tools” have been in 2015, they’re ready to explode into new popularity for 2016. The reason is that technology and high speed internet have made it possible to easily conduct streaming chats, share images and more. If you’re not using any of these tools in your business yet, it’s difficult to come out from behind your computer and let the world see the real you. But the time has come.

Snapchat

This messaging app allows you to share photos or videos with a caption, doodle or special lenses, and add to your story to share with all your followers. It is an amazingly innovative and fun application that you can use in business. You can also share directly with friends. They will only see it for ten seconds and then it disappears. There are many ways to use this for business if you give it some thought and use a little imagination.

Periscope.tv

This live streaming app is owned by Twitter, but it can be hard to use due to all the things it does. You can send out live video via your mobile device anytime you want to from anywhere and then have feeds live on Twitter. Those with the Periscope app can also join via their mobile devices. It’s very interactive and fun.

Blab.im

This app runs online via your computer and has a couple mobile apps out. While comparable to Periscope, it has fewer features and is meant for conducting live radio-like events. You can record your blabs and use the recordings later in a replay, or you can upload to YouTube or even various podcasting apps as audio only.

Yovo.me

This messaging app is interesting in how it works; you can send messages with images that have selective portions blurred out so that only those who are listed can view the images in full. You can create group stories using live shots or photos, and you can also add your story to the library. It can also be interactive in that friends can upload different clips to add to the story.

Meerkatapp.co

This mobile app enables you to send out live video broadcasts using your mobile device. Both your Facebook and Twitter accounts can be connected to Meerkatapp so that you can stream live to all your followers.

Google Hangouts

This live streaming broadcast app from Google is an amazing way to market your business. You can host full-fledged webinars using Google Hangouts along with plugins and apps like WebinarJam.com.

These six real-time marketing tools have a lot of applications for making your business better than ever in 2016. You just need to know how to use them right for the best results. You can take any of these and use them. Just try out different tools, find one that you like the most and stick with it. Then establish a consistent brand and most of all, be yourself.