I’m wondering how many of you use google+ for your business and how that works for you. I signed up and have lots of circles but would like to know how to utilize it better. Helpful tips will great. Also I’m getting people from other countries and I’m not sure how or why.

Thanks

Connie

@1creed Hey Corinne

A couple of quick tips:

• Use your cirles and group various people and other businesses
• Hold Hangouts
• Search and use Hashtags
• Post regularly and +1 and comment on other people’s posts
• Make sure you have a plan for what you want to post and use Google+ for

Russ

@1creed There are many things I could say about Google+, advice, resources etc…  

Google+ for Business: How Google’s Social Network Changes Everything
(not an affiliate link)

is a great book from Chris Brogan that really gets your head into using Google plus. Worth purchasing and reading. 

One of the more power reasons i would invest in Google plus is that is really helps get your content found better on Google. Which is where people look for everything.

HI  @kathybernard —  

One of the things about G+ is that engagement with others is a must.  I find that when I post something that is not business – some personal thing, like when I traded in the Explorer for a CRV I had a great deal of responses and got to know a lot of folks through that very personal post.  It escalated from there for me. I do certainly post business articles and from time to time (rarely) I post something about one of my businesses.  

I use G+ the way a lot of people use FB – to allow people to get to know me through my interactions – not just business posts. Sharing is great, but interacting is much better. 

Eileen

Unfortunately, our company page doesn’t get too much activity on G+. I have seen a few businesses have incredible success with their G+ accounts, though. I agree with @russellallert to host hangouts. I think one of the best parts about Google Plus is the ability to host those hangouts. I would suggest just using your other social media accounts (twitter, FB, Linkedin) to spread the word about the hangout.

im on   but  nothings  happening…i never  hear  about it in  my world..

.im  there for the  seo…and open  to  some  activity  if  it  ever  gets off the  ground  with my  customers…….

@supereb

Connie, I agree with ALL these posts, but the first thing I noticed when I jumped in G+ was that I started popping up more in the SERPs. A LOT more!

That Google triad — YouTube, G+, and Google SERP — is a surefire power-boosting social strategy that can’t be ignored.

As far as circles go, I quickly found it was best for me to ignore all my circles except my main Social Media/Internet Marketing circle and my main subject matter vertical circle. It’s definitely more like LinkedIn than Facebook that way for me, with Facebook still being where my personal friends hang.

Internationally, I encourage you to add international contacts whenever possible. Over time, that divergent outlook will offer you many advantages over your peers who aren’t reaching out and eventually you’ll see your marketplace in much broader terms, too, regardless of whether your just a mom and pop local shop. Innovation, it seems, is pressing on somewhere in the world everyday. Don’t be the one to miss those insights because of short-sightedness, lol.

All in all, I’d have to say G+ gives me the most bang for the buck… the most overal exposure with the most opportunity for personal involvement (as Eileen mentioned). It really is the place to show your wares, you know-how, your personality, and a definite personal touch all in the context of ongoing newsy business day. I love it.

I don’t have as much knowledge as Eileen on this, but I learn from people like her everyday. Watch, learn, copy, personalize and innovate when you can. But whatever you do, unless someone appears to be an plague-spreading tomato zombie, add them and grow your main two circles. Can’t learn anything from anyone if you hide in a corner with the only friends you’ve ever known.

Just my thoughts…

Robin Carlisle

@matfitzgerald

Matt, I’m referring to your goal… to rank highly in the Google SERPs means to rank highly on your intended Search Engine Results Page.

Just the SERPs for short…

Robin Carlisle