Boosting Engagement with Google+ for Your Business
Google+ might seem like a relic from the past, but it still offers valuable tools for businesses looking to enhance their online presence and engagement. By effectively using Google+ as a corporate page, you can connect with your audience on a more personal level and build stronger relationships.
Building Stronger Connections
Using Google+ for business is much like establishing a personal connection on the internet. The more you engage, the more replies and solid connections you will build.
Embracing Google+ Circles
One of Google+’s unique features is its Circles, which allow you to organize your connections into specific groups. You can create circles for team members, vendors, fans, and competitors, tailoring the content you share to each group. This customization ensures that your posts reach the right audience.
Interacting with Circles
To interact with people on Google+, you need to circle them first. This mutual connection ensures that you don’t miss each other’s updates. Just like the “Like” button on YouTube, the +1 feature allows you to show approval for posts and comments, increasing your visibility and engagement.
Leveraging Hangouts for Group Interaction
Google+ Hangouts offer a powerful way to connect with up to ten participants in real-time. Hangouts can be used for tutoring, team meetings, interviews, and virtual conferences.
Starting a Hangout
To start a Hangout, click the Hangout button on the G+ homepage. You can initiate a Hangout as an individual or as a Page, depending on whether you want to engage with your audience publicly or keep it private with your team. Utilize Hangout’s screen-sharing and collaborative tools to enhance your meetings, and integrate various applications to streamline your workflow.
Incorporating Phone Calls
If someone cannot join your Hangout via Google+, you can invite them by phone. VoIP calls to North America are free, and international calls are relatively inexpensive, making Hangouts a cost-effective option for global meetings.
Planning Events with Google+
Google+ Events is a useful feature for organizing both online and physical events. You can invite attendees, update Google Calendars, and even encourage sharing of event images through a photo album. Regular Hangouts can be scheduled and managed through Google Events, making it easy to coordinate and communicate with participants.
Using Hangouts On Air
For broader reach, use Hangouts On Air to broadcast live events to a larger audience. You can stream live to your Google+ profile or page, embed the broadcast on your website, or share it on YouTube. This feature allows text-based participation, so viewers who can’t join via video can still engage.
Utilizing the +1 Button
The +1 button on Google+ allows users to endorse and verify content across Google’s products, including search results and profiles. By incorporating the +1 button into your online presence, you can enhance your visibility and credibility. When users +1 your content, it signals to their connections that they approve of your material, potentially increasing traffic and engagement.
Adding +1 Buttons
Incorporate the +1 button into your blog or website to make it easy for visitors to endorse your content without leaving your site. This integration helps spread your reach and attract more attention to your posts.
Conclusion
Google+ provides a range of tools for enhancing business engagement, from creating Circles for targeted communication to using Hangouts for real-time interactions and broadcasting events. By effectively leveraging these features, you can build stronger connections, reach a broader audience, and improve your online presence.
© Image credits to Damir Mijailovic
Posted in Social Media Engagement
