HI @annfurnivall —

I don’t know if Google+ is the ENTIRE future of SM but since we know it can give SEO a boost, it IS the place to be, and work your SM strategy.  The sooner you get your footing there, the better off you will be, really.  Your audience will build over time.  Be sure to have a link on your home page to each (every page if you can, like with the Wibiya toolbar) of your SM account – FB, G+, Twitter and Pinterest and LinkedIn – IF you have all those. 

One of the things I set a lot store in is all the technology heads (programmers – computer geeks – of which I am one also) that I know.  They laugh at me for being on FB (still) and all swear by G+ – so I know it’s the place to be now and for the future.  Not to mention that it is easier once you know your way around. 

Summary – it is worth it to be there – it will make a difference to you in the future – get gmail and your notices will be on automatic with a drop down box – stay current by following “Google+ Tips and Tricks” with your G+ account. 
Here are some articles to help you with your quest to understand Google+ —  

10 Google+ Tips for Beginners   

20 Ways to Improve Your Google+ Knowledge | Social Media Examiner   

How to Set Up a Google+ Page for Your Business | Social Media Examiner   

6 Steps to Getting Started With Google+ | Social Media Examiner

Take the time to learn what you need to know.

Here is a cheat – go to Google+ and search for “antiques indiana” then add the folks that come up in that search to a circle.  THEN look at who follows those people and add them to a circle of potential customers. 

It’s not hard to build an entirely new audience at Google+ and still have your FB audience intact. 

.02

Eileen

@annfurnivall
You mention how busy you are, how you don’t always have a computer handy, how you’ve already built up a good audience in Facebook, so I have to wonder if G+ matters that much to you?
Here’s what I’d  do (not that you asked ) 

• Setup a G+ profile, photos, etc.
• Add the +1 buttons to all of my webpages and blog posts. 
• Add the G+ link (Google looks for that) and link to my profile. 
• +1 all my new posts
• Spend 10 min/day circling and engaging in my G+ feed.
• Review any progress after 1 month, 3 months & 6 months and revise my behavior accordingly.

@rich-brooks funny   rich,  i think   just  did most of    your  great list   in the last  couple of  days………and  wow  a subject  from a post[old doors]] turned  up  in google  search 2 hrs later…….also   we  did  something  they suggested and now   if  you  google green oak   our  logo and info   pops up on the side bar….. cant wait to see  what my statcounter says….so im  totally pumped  for   committing a little   effort to  google +…ive  akways   known it was  good  for  seo…and   im  really impressed..i can  do a lot   in a  few minutes   on there  and i plan to,  at least one post a week  with  good  keywords….

BUT what i really  want is   connection  with   people in my  world….and   they  just arent there…we are  basically luddites i guess…  i know so many personally and  they  think im  way  ahead in  using  the  computer…lol….i am  still looking  tho…

i do have a question???…. my door post  from  google came up in   google  search  for  old  doors…on the  first page….now  that is  so amazing to me but i  wonder if   it  came up  because im  checking  or   because its  regionally   selective or if  someone  from   california  would  also  get my  door post  if  they   googled old  doors….do  you know the   answer to that? 

we sell  lots of  old  doors…

@rich-brooks

 @roadturn  right  don!!!  especially when you see  results…..i always  think   an open mind  and   curiosity  are  great  tools if  you want to   run a business…..  keeps it more fun too…