Google+ has taken a beating over the years, even with 2.5 billion users. It tried to become the new Facebook only to fall flat, leading to rumors that Google would kill it off entirely. Fast forward to 2016 and it’s still here but many businesses have completely discounted it from their marketing plans.
If you use it right, Google+ can greatly boost your business. This guide will show you how to include it in your digital strategy.
Create a business page
The first thing you need to do is make a business page. This is very similar to creating a business page on Facebook. To begin with, you need to have a personal profile and then add in all the information about your business, such as your business location and category.
One of the best social media practices for Google is to have a great image. Take advantage of the expanded cover image option. Your image can be as large as 2120 x 1192, much bigger than on other social media platforms.
Finally, drive traffic to your website. Include your primary URL within your introduction, mention your blog in the links section links, and add a call to action within your profile image. Not telling customers what you want from them immediately can really kill your B2B selling career.
Take advantage of circles
Circles are your connections and the critical building blocks of social media growth. For the average business, this is the best way to share content with a laser targeted audience. You can easily segment the users that you are following in Google+ to ensure that only relevant content reaches specific users. You can also create categories specific to your business needs, such as content designed for your team and industry leaders.
Google+ allows you to share content only with specific Circles by selecting a single option. Nobody can see what Circle you have placed them in, so you don’t need to worry about offending anyone.
Engage in Google+ communities
You may think that the Google+ communities are exactly the same as Circles. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Communities consist of different groups that function like interactive forums. Businesses should regard communities as as huge potential marketplaces. You may not receive personal interactions through communities, but you can establish a platform and slowly build up your authority. Once you have gathered intelligence about your target audience, you can build relationships with them.
How can you make the most of social communities on Google+?
First of all, join groups that are relevant to your products. Then, involve yourself in active discussions. Don’t try to sell. Provide unsolicited advice and over time people will start to come to you. As you gain trust, you can begin posting links to your blogs and content without receiving any backlash. You can even use clever hashtags to reach your niche market.
Are hashtags really a thing?
Hashtags weren’t initially available on Google+. They were introduced later on after Google realized their importance. Hashtags categorize everything you post and help you hit laser targeted groups.
As a general rule, never include more than three hashtags within one update. There is no tolerance for spamming hashtags on Google+.
Never post your whole blog
Because Google+ doesn’t have character restrictions, businesses often post extremely long updates. Many businesses even post their entire blogs. While this might be convenient for users, it’s actually a terrible business decision.
If someone could view your entire blog on Google+, why would they go to your website? Don’t curtail your traffic generating potential. Post a snippet or an extract from your blog and encourage people to visit your site.
Conclusion
Google+ may not have the power of Facebook, but can still be used to generate sales and raise brand awareness. How will you use Google+ to grow your business?