Google+ is quickly becoming a critical asset to anyone’s social media marketing strategy. Why? Well, because Google, the world’s #1 search engine, owns it and they are prioritizing content shared on the platform in search results. With over 250 million users and the fact that all Gmail users must now have a Google+ profile too, it’s time to start paying attention to Google+. So how to do you best take advantage of Google+ to promote your small business marketing? Here are my 7 best tips for using Google+:
Optimize your Google + profile: Add links in the text of your profile. Connect your profile to your blog and business page, and key videos that explain your brand. Also, make sure to include keywords.
Create a vanity Google+ URL Use the website gplus.to to customize your Google+ URL. This will get rid of that long weird-looking number and allow you to brand your Google + profile like all of your other social media accounts.
Create a Google+ page for your small business Google+ allows companies to customize their page and connect with other businesses. Customize your page with your logo and a description of your business. When creating a Google+ business page, use a generic email address to set up your account. This will ensure that the page is accessible by multiple users in your business to maintain your page.
Create your circles carefully in Google+ Create a separate circle for leads, customers, peers, and even competitors. Share different content to your circles and in the case of your competitors, pay attention to what they are sharing.
Start tracking key influencers in your industry Use http://www.circlecount.com/ to find influencers in your industry to follow.
Start tagging your content In Google+, you tag people in your circles by using the “+” symbol. It works just like the @symbol in Facebook.
Use Google+ Hangouts to create video content Hangouts have revolutionized live video chat online. Now with the Google+ hangout air feature, there’s no limit to the number of people who can see your video content live. You can stream it directly to YouTube or use the code to show it live on your own website. You can create videos for product demos, a company profile, or training sessions. I recently did a Google Hangout QA interview with Sean Moffett on my book Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months. Check it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfNk2TXXbJ4&feature=youtu.be
Have you had success with Google+? Tell me your story.
If you need to perfect your social media skills using Google+, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, Pinterest, and LinkedIn grab a copy of my latest ebook: How To Become a Social Media Ninja; 101 Ways to Dominate Your Competition Online today. www.succeedasyourownboss.com/ebook
For more tips on how start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com.
Melinda F. Emerson, known to many as SmallBizLady is America’s #1 small business expert. As CEO of Quintessence Multimedia, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on subjects including small business start-up, business development and social media marketing to fulfill her mission to end small business failure. She writes a weekly column on social media for The New York Times. Forbes Magazine named her #1 woman for entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter. She hosts #SmallBizChat Wednesdays on Twitter 8-9pm ET for emerging entrepreneurs. She also publishes a resource blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com Melinda is also the bestselling author of Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. Her latest ebook, How To Become a Social Media Ninja; 101 Ways to Dominate Your Competition Online was released in 2012.
Great Google+ tips for promoting your business, Melinda. I haven’t really used Google+ much but I agree it’s a really good platform to promote any businesses or a franchise business perhaps. And I think Google is constantly improving it for its users and to compete with Facebook.