Understanding Google+ for Corporate Pages
Using Google+ as a corporate page is similar to connecting to the internet on a personal level. It requires a friendly, attentive, responsive, and engaging approach. Your page should act as a dynamic interface, distinct from traditional methods of interaction.
Strategic Engagement and Brand Consistency
To effectively engage on Google+, you need to be strategic. The more strategically you connect with people on Google+, the more responses you’ll receive, and the stronger your relationships will become.
Embracing Relationships Through Circles
Google+ was a pioneer in allowing users to share content with specific target groups through its Circles feature. Circles can be tailored to fit various categories such as team members, vendors, fans, and competitors. Posts on your home page can also be customized according to these circles.
You must add people to your circles to interact with them. The +1 button, similar to YouTube’s like button, lets you acknowledge and engage with their content.
Utilizing Hangouts for Group Interaction
With Google+, you can join or create groups and hold online meetings known as Hangouts. These sessions can host up to ten participants and are useful for tutoring, virtual team meetings, interviews, and video conferencing.
Starting a Hangout
To initiate a Hangout, click the Hangout button located at the top right corner of the G+ homepage. You can start a Hangout as an individual or as a Page. Utilizing Hangouts as a Page helps in building your company’s brand publicly, whereas a private Hangout can be used for internal team meetings.
Within a Hangout, you can use screen sharing and collaborative tools. You can work on Google Docs, view presentations, and create group diagrams.
Contacting Participants
If a participant cannot join via Google+, you can invite them via phone. VoIP calls to North America are free, and international call rates are quite affordable.
Planning Events with Google Events
Google Events can be used to plan and promote both online and physical events.
Events also encourage attendees to share event images and upload them to a shared photo album through the Google+ app.
Broadcasting with Hangouts On Air
To reach a broader audience, use Hangouts On Air. This feature allows you to broadcast your Hangouts live to your Google+ profile or page, your website, or your YouTube channel. Hangouts On Air supports text-based interaction, enabling wider audience participation.
You can activate “Enable Hangouts On Air” to track the number of viewers and automatically upload the recording to your YouTube channel. As of now, Pages cannot host or participate in Hangouts from mobile devices.
Leveraging the +1 Button for Engagement
One of the features of Google+ is the +1 button, which allows users to endorse and validate content. This button appears across all Google products, including search results and Google+ profiles.
Users can give your content a thumbs up, and this endorsement is visible to their social network, which can enhance your content’s visibility and engagement. Incorporating the +1 button into your website or blog enables visitors to endorse your content without leaving your site.
Conclusion
Google+ tools like Circles, Hangouts, Google Events, and the +1 button may be used strategically to strengthen relationships with your audience and increase engagement. Whether for personal or corporate use, these tools provide a robust framework for effective online interaction.
© Image credits to Kenny Ph
Posted in Social Media Engagement
