google+ pages for business: introduction & best practices
DESCRIPTION
As a relatively new player in the social media landscape, Google+ Pages is slowly growing in popularity. Since Google+ Pages was introduced on November 2011, more businesses have been establishing a presence in this new platform, trying to figure out how it fits in to their digital marketing mix. In this presentation, Vancouver-based Internet Marketing company Global Bend offers a Google+ Pages 101 that covers the following topics: - What is Google+ and Google+ Pages and what unique features are available in this social media platform - Why use Google+ and why this social network is not just a copy of Facebook - Who are the network's current biggest advocates and why they believe in this platform - Best practices and tips for businesses and organizations when using Google+ Pages Based in Vancouver, Global Bend provides digital marketing solutions for small and medium sized enterprises looking to grow their online presence. Visit www.globalbend.com for more information.TRANSCRIPT
Google+ For Businesses
Presented by:Global Bend@globalbendhttp://www.globalbend.com
BRIEF HISTORY
June 28, 2011 >>> Google+ (or Google Plus) was launched by Google Inc. People had to request an invite to join the new social network.
September 20, 2011 >>> Google opened the social network to the pub-lic and added nine new features, including Hangouts on mobile.
November 7, 2011 >>> Google announced Google+ Pages, a new way to “connect with all the things you care about”.
September 17, 2012 >>> Google announced that Google+ has 400 million total users, 100 million of which are active.
“Online sharing is awkward. Even broken. And we aim to fix it.”
- Google. June 28, 2011
UNIQUE FEATURESCircles- A way of organizing your contacts on Google+.- You have to add a contact to a Circle before you can start sharing with them. - You can share posts to specific Circles, a powerful feature that ensures that you don’t bombard your contacts with irrelevant info.
Hangouts- Video chat with up to 10 of your contacts. - You can start and join Hangouts from your computer, smartphone, or tablets.
Ripples- An interactive graphic of the public shares of any public post or URL on Google+.- A visual way of how your content has been shared on Google+.
WHY USE GOOGLE+?Google Integration
>>> According to Google, Google+ is its “social spine”, a service that isn’t just a destination but a unifying framework for all of the search giant’s products.
>>> Google+ is integrated to all Google accounts, including Gmail, YouTube, Google Analytics, and Google Chrome.
WHY USE GOOGLE+?Clean, visual user interface
>>> Google+ has an attractive, intuitive, and clean user interface.
>>> The platform is very visual and presents photos and links in an attractive way.
>>> As an up-and-coming social network, Google+ isn’t as ‘cluttered’ yet as Facebook or Twitter.
WHY USE GOOGLE+?The +1 Button
>>> Allows users to quickly share recommendations with their Google+ contacts.
>>> Available on the search results and integrated with Google Adwords. Publishers can add the +1 button to their websites and blogs.
>>> Google considers +1s an indication of relevance. In the search results, users see the number of people that have “+1’d” a certain page.
WHY USE GOOGLE+?Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
>>> +1s have an indirect effect on your site’s search rank. They are one of the many things that Google’s algorithms consider to determine what content is relevant for users.
>>> When a Google+ user +1s a web page or a blog post, she gives it her “stamp of approval.”
>>> The Google search results page shows how many +1s a certain page or blog post has received.
BIGGEST ADVOCATES
“I think the inclusion of pictures is better, I think that the overall cleanliness and white space of the design is more aesthetically pleasing.”
- Guy Kawasaki to Fast Company, September 7, 2012
BIGGEST ADVOCATES
“If you’re serious about boosting your business through social media, this is where you need to be.”
- Chris Brogan via a Blue Glass infographic, March 8, 2012.
BEST PRACTICES
1. Complete your profile. > Add a tagline— something that makes your business unique. > Use the “Introduction” section to talk about your expertise. > Upload a profile photo. Use a creative cover photo. > Add links to your profile.
BEST PRACTICES
2. Add the +1 button to your website. > Use a plug-in to easily add the buttons > Visit the Google Developers website for more customization > Use the +1 button to share your content to your networks > Encourage employees to ‘+1’ your blog post.
BEST PRACTICES
3. Promote your Google+ profile on your website. > Add a Google+ badge. > Include a Google+ button.
BEST PRACTICES
4. Be visual. Share lots of photos and videos (and often).
BEST PRACTICES
5. Use hashtags when appropriate.
BEST PRACTICES
6. Regularly post fresh content about your industry or your company.
BEST PRACTICES
7. Experiment, experiment, experiment! Be creative and see what type of content works for you in this platform.
About Global BendBased in Vancouver, Global Bend provides digital marketing solutions for small and medium sized enterprises looking to grow their online pres-ence. We drive traffic to our clients through media giants like Google, Facebook, MSN and Twitter and maintain a strong focus on converting that traffic into business for you.
Proudly Canadian owned and operated, Global Bend leads through inno-vation while being true to its geographical roots. Committed to deliver-ing a unique digital experience to our customers, Global Bend focuses on real-time customer interaction with top-quality topical content.
For more information:Contact us at (778) 870-2276 or email us at [email protected]://www.globalbend.com