Do you use Google+ in your marketing mix?
Are you wondering how to get the most out of GooglePlus?
With more than 300 million+ in-stream active users, Google+ is definitely worth paying attention to.
The entire purpose of social networking is to connect, share and engage. GooglePlus makes it simple when you understand the basics. Go beyond just sharing a link or two, enter the social zones where the fun, and engagement really begins to happen.
The entire purpose of social networking is to connect, share and engage. GooglePlus makes it simple when you understand the basics. Go beyond just sharing a link or two, enter the social zones where the fun, and engagement really begins to happen.
See the infographic below where I show you how to ramp up your Google+ presence, generate meaningful social connections, and blow your followers minds away.
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Infographic Transcript
HOW TO IMPROVE ENGAGEMENT ON GOOGLE+
Google+ has 300 million+ in-stream active users. A study by Janrain indicates Google+ has continued to grow strong, quickly becoming the second largest social network despite it’s late start (2011) and others have forecast Google+ will surpass Facebook by May 2016.
WHY G+ IS THE PLACE TO BE
22 percent Online adults use Google+ on a monthly basis, that’s the same number who use Twitter, and more than who use LinkedIn, Pinterest, or Instagram.
42 percent Use Google+ to interact with brands’ content.
70 percent Of the top 100 brands are using Google+.
Google+ refers the most quality tra ffic: 2.45 pages per visit.
Google+ generates nearly as much engagement per follower as Facebook and nearly twice as much as Twitter.
GOOGLE+ ENGAGEMENT TIPS
PERFECT YOUR PROFILE
Your profile and hovercard is the first impression and the entry point for your audience. Every element of your profile should reflect your brand identity and personality.
Profile and Cover Photo:Use a close-up photo of your face, or in case of business page use a company logo. Add a cover photo to showcase yourpersonality and brand.
About:It is searchable within Google+. You have to show people why they should listen to you. Take notes from other Google+ bios that you like and write something similar.
CREATE AND MANAGE CIRCLES
Find and add people to your circles who share your interests.
Sharing with ‘Public’ means everyone can see your post.
Always make sure you select `Public’ option to maximize your post engagement across Google+.
Adding a specific circle and clicking the ‘notify by email’ checkbox may lead to an undesired effect. People can feel spammed if they don’t know you.
Look to create circles of people who are regularly engaging with you - then build the relationships. These people will turn into your 100 brand evangelists!
In your `Home’ stream you can see what your Circles are sharing with you. However, you decide what is shown in the All tab and you can choose a different setting for each of your Circles.
You can add anyone to a circle even if they are or are not your friend. There’s a limit of 5,000 for the total number of profiles that can be included across all your circles. This includes +pages.
Determining your main goals for your Google+ profile or page is a good strategy to help you organize your circles. E.g create prospects, team members and customers circles for your business page.
GET INVOLVED AND BE ACTIVE
Go to the `Explore’ tab, see what others are sharing, comment on numerous posts a day.
Don't just comment on random posts, make sure it is something you know about.
Your comments should show people you understand & care about the subject.
Avoid brief comments like `Great post’ or `Thanks for sharing’.
Comments that add value to the conversation will help you build relationships.
If applicable, use Hangouts for product demonstrations or industry debates, the face-to-face time puts a personality behind your Google+ profile.
JOIN COMMUNITIES
Find and engage in industry-related communities, it is a great way to meet new people, learn and expand your brand’s reach.
Once you’ve identified and joined relevant communities, make it a priority to participate regularly.
Be sure to actively ask & answer questions, as well as share valuable content (according to community guidelines) to fuel engagement.
Don’t only share your own stuff.
Don’t just post links and images. Describe why you are sharing them.
Don’t share the same post in multiple communities. Sharing exactly the same post with multiple communities could be seen as spam.
SHARE SHARE AND SHARE
Give your post a title and make it bold, by enclosing it with (*) asterisks.
Use underscore ( _ ) at the beginning & end of the sentence to make it italicized.
Take a few sentences to explain what you’re sharing. Tell people what it’s about.
Asking a question opens dialogue, and encourages a response. It is one of the simplest, most straightforward methods to encourage conversations.
G+ automatically adds related hashtags for you based on your content. However you can add your own hashtags.
If you want to grab someone's attention when you share in G+, try mentioning them using the '+' or '@' signs.
Google+ is a highly visual platform, so include photos, GIFs and videos to make your post appealing and encourage interaction.
Monitor your comments to quickly answer questions or concerns.
The more you share to your Google+ profile or business pages, the more you will get your name out there.
To be active, look to create posts at least a few times a day.
Share content from your industry regularly.
Only 20% of content should be promotional.
80% of posts should be entertaining & educating.
Sources:
http://dustn.tv/perfect-post
http://dejanseo.com.au/google-plus-study
http://socialmediasun.com/google-plus-circles
http://wearesocial.net/blog/2014/02/state-google
http://rebekahradice.com/google-plus-engagement
http://ct-social.com/google-plus-circles-management
http://plus.google.com/u/0/+JohnSkeats/posts/MjTjydxMJeV
http://blog.shareaholic.com/social-media-traffic-engagement-03-2014
http://sproutsocial.com/insights/guides/google-plus-engagement-tips
http://janrain.com/blog/social-login-trends-across-the-web-for-q2-2013
http://blog.christinedegraff.com/2013/10/Mastering-Google-Circles.html
http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/how-to-grow-your-google-engagement
http://www.dexmedia.com/blog/participating-google-plus-communities-business
http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/7-must-know-tips-about-managing-your-google-circles
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/google-hangouts-and-photos-save-some.html
http://blogs.forrester.com/nate_elliott/14-03-31-why_every_marketer_should_use_google_plus
http://blog.wishpond.com/post/55180750150/9-sure-fire-formulas-for-creating-engaging-google
http://www.realwire.com/releases/Social-sharing-on-Google-to-overtake-Facebook-by-2016-predicts-new-study
