The Google Plus social network is now open for business…but how do network marketing and business owners take advantage of this new social media platform that some say will rival Facebook?
After being an invitation-only site for many months, on September 22, 2011, the Google Plus social network became open to the general public.
Google Plus is probably the one and only site that can even attempt to put a dent in the behemoth that is Facebook’s social network. Posting record numbers, Google+ is up to an estimated 50 million users in just 3 months since offering the service…it took Facebook 3 years to get to that point! So should network marketers be paying attention, ABSOLUTELY!
Also, don’t forget the 70% web browsers come to Google first as it’s the most popular search engine and the largest source of traffic for many websites.
So How Do Network Marketers Get Started With Google Plus
1. Set Up Your Personal Profile
Unlike Facebook, Google+ does not yet support businesses or organizations. So as an individual business owner, you must begin to connect with influencers and leaders in your niche and make connections with people you already know.
2. Understanding How Google Plus Works
Google is great for creating step by step instructions on how to get the most their tools. It’s important to understand the features and functionality of how Google Plus works. Check out these comprehensive guides to learn everything you need to know about Google Plus:
- Google+ Tips and Tricks: A Collaborative document on Tips and Tricks users have uncovered.
- Inside Google Plus: Google+ Tricks
3. Create Circles
After you configure your privacy settings and learn the features start adding Circles. Google plus allows you to create Circles, which allows you to categorize your connections and selectively share information with certain people.
You may want to post something that you only want your business acquaintances to see. You can select your “Acquaintances” circle, and only the people you’ve tagged as “Acquaintances” will be able to view that post. Mark your post as public if you want everyone to see it.This is a great way to streamline your information.
4. Decide On What To Post
As with any social network, the rule of thumb is to always give value. Before you post anything, ask yourself if it is going to be beneficial, useful or value to others. Even though you can share selectively between friends, acquaintances, family members and people you are following just be careful about what you post to make something of value.
5. Hang out in the Google Plus Space
This is a feature that as a business owner you should be definitely be taking advantage of. The hangout feature allows you to use a live webcam (videoconferencing) with up to 10 other Google + users.
6. Tagging People
If you want to mention someone in a post, you can simple type the + sign followed by their name. The Google Plus smart search will populate their name as you type. The person you mentioned will then be notified with an e-mail that they’ve been mentioned in your G+ stream.
Tagging people is a great way to network or spark up a conversation in your stream.
7. The Plus One Button
So we have all seen the Google +1 button…it was actually introduced long before Google announced their social network. if you’ve done any type of Google search you’ve seen it pop up on the side of the Google.com search engine results. The Google +1 button is a way to “vote for” or “like”content. It’s Google’s version of the Facebook “Like” button.
There are a number of reason why as network marketers we should start implementing Google Plus. As a member of the community you will get a chance to share content, provide value, and comment on other people’s content. The comment that you just “Plus Oned” is going to show up in your G+ stream along with the site.
8. Positioning Yourself For An SEO Explosion?
While we are all still waiting to see just how the Google + 1 button and social network is going to factor in to our search engine optimization, Google has stated that they are somehow going to integrate G+ data to influence ranking and SEO. We could assume that the more Google + votes you get the more SEO benefits you’ll see as a result. So if you are wondering if you should show up to the party, I say add me to the guest list.
So you could interpret that to mean sites that get more plus one votes could see an SEO benefit down the line. The bottom line is this…marketers leverage the power of the Internet through building relationships and connections and anytime you can take advantage of these connections to influence your Google’s authority you shouldn’t take it lightly.
9. A Few G+ Social Network Tips
Make sure you completely update your Google Plus profile and start adding posts. As with any social site you want people to know who you are and what you are about so take the time to update picture and info.
It’s Google Plus Feedback Time…
Let me know what you think about all this Google + buzz? Will you be diving in to yet another social network or are you going to wait and see if Google catches fire!
Either way….you can connect with me on Google Plus here. 
Click Here For More Tips on Leveraging The Power of Social Media To Build Your Business Online
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