When Google announced its launch of Google Plus, many were skeptical. We had seen success with facebook and twitter, but did we need another social networking tool? (Though Google emphatically claims Google Plus is not a social network, but rather a social platform).
Of course there was the added fact that Google Plus wasn’t ready for businesses. So what was the benefit of being on it?
This view of course changed once Google opened its doors to business accounts. But despite the fact big and small players jumped on the Google Plus bandwagon, the fact remains it’s yet to prove itself. After all, if companies like Pepsi and Adidas show extended periods of inactivity, will such a tool work for a smaller business?
When you look at it apples for apples, Google Plus seems like a Facebook imitator. However, it does have some unique features in its favor.
Here is some cool functionality you can play around with:
+1: Can the +1 feature, which has been compared to a facebook like, influence your page’s rankings on Google’s search engines? That’s one of the major reasons every business owner will want to try out Google Plus. If it works in the long run, it could be an effective marketing tool.
+Circles: Google Circle allows you to segment your audience into friends, family, colleagues, influencers etc.
+Sparks: Create streams based on your varied interests, which in a business setting can be used to search for news and opportunities. In turn, you can market your services by posting and tracking content.
+Hangout: A spontaneous video and chat conference feature that lets you host face to face sessions with your customers. It works similar to Skype.
Google has also integrated a number of other tools such as YouTube videos which makes sharing much easier.
So what’s in it for the business owner?
Google Plus users can use the platform to connect quite easily with a local or international brand. Here’s how simple it is:
Create a Page:
Visit the create a page section to get started. You’ll be asked to select from five major categories:
- Local Business or Place
- Product or Brand
- Company, Institution or Organization
- Arts, Entertainment or Sports
- Other, for all other categories
Once you select your category, enter in your business’ name and website address and click on the accept button.
Create Your Profile:
Your business’ user profile determines who you are and what you do. You’ll be asked to enter a tagline, which is essentially a single line that speaks of your product or service. You can easily edit the profile page using the top-bar tools. Include a company logo or picture.
Below the tagline, Google Plus lets you to enter five images in a ‘photostrip’. Select one that is creative or speaks of your brand’s message.
Begin Growing Your Business
Now you’re set to grow your business. Google Plus encourages you to connect with customers, brands, influencers, and other social marketing channels, all from a single page. Businesses can interact with their audience and in doing so create higher search rankings for themselves.
You can begin by importing your contacts from Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail. Once you’ve done that, segment them into Circles for easy access.
Next, upload the +1 code onto your website, so customers can vote for your page, which then shows up in their circles, thereby widening your brand’s footprint.
The new Direct Connect feature enables customers to search for brands which have the +1 sign associated with their names.
Play with the Sparks feature, which helps you track trending news and the Hangout feature which helps you post videos or engage in customer feedback.
Google can be a strong tool to help you increase your brand visibility and exposure. Not only does Google Plus have the backing of a very powerful search engine, but it also has the platform to let you integrate your current social networking and contacts database, into a single interface.
As with any marketing, engagement is important and so is brand honesty. Be real, involve your employees, and maintain a consistent presence, and you may just find Google Plus to be the right marketing tool for you.
