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Google + and Business

Google + has yet to introduce business accounts however, this certainly doesn't mean enterprising business owners and management cannot begin to leverage Google's new Social Network. In fact getting in on the ground floor ahead of your competition will have benefits as this network grows and prospers.

Social Media Experience

One big advantage businesses have with the introduction of Google + is the Social Media experience gained with other Social Networks. When businesses first started to use Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin within marketing programs, it was new and no one really had any idea how the whole concept of Social Media Marketing would progress. The experience gained in social networking enables us to review the Social Media Tools that Google provides and determine some of the suitable business uses at this stage of the Google+ lifecycle.

Google + Social Tools

Google's provides us with much the same social tools that are currently available via Twitter and Facebook although they are just different enough to offer incentives to learn and understand their business use.

At this stage I'm seeing little resemblance to Linkedin which I hope is something we begin to see as Google implements its business accounts, which are tipped to be available later in the year.

Google+ Circles

Google+ Circles is combination of Twitter Follow/Followers and Facebook Friends. In my opinion Circles makes a welcome addition to the Social Media tool box. Although still in a learning curve, my first impression of Google Circles was its superior usability.

Both Twitter and Facebook make use of lists to categorize various social network contacts. However, the interface of Google Circles provides a great tool to quickly and easily segment your Google Plus contacts. Although businesses will have their unique requirements, some suggestions for Circle categories include:

Thought leaders and those you respect in your industry
Individuals at companies you would like to do business with. Searching Google+ Profiles
Contacts from news letter and web site opt in lists. (consider similar segmentation as your email marketing programs) You do have an Email Marketing Program don't you?
Company employees, suppliers and clients.

Once you have identified and created your Circles the message and feed filtering offered by Google far surpasses that of Facebook and Twitter, making it easy to follow and participate in relevant conversations based on the categorization of your Circles. This I believe will become an excellent communication tool. Just consider how people keep up to date with others on Facebook and you will see the potential advantages of Google Circles.

Google+ Sparks

Google+ Sparks provides an additional tool to keep up to date on the topics that are important to you and your business. Sparks is a combination RSS Feeds, Google Alerts, Google News and other tools you've used to keep up to date on the news important to your business., Results are delivered based on keyword search.

A big part of Social Media programs is finding and sharing high quality content of interest to your business's targeted audience. Sparks has the potential to deliver large amounts of keyword targeted content for your Social Media Sharing Program, from within the Google+ site. A handy plug in from Sharethis added to your browser enables you to share this quality content throughout your other Social Networks.

Google+ Video Hangouts

Google+ Hangouts is going to be the place to start thinking outside the box. I've yet to find the time to to actually have a try at this but it hasn't stopped me thinking over how business can leverage this Social Media Tool.

Hangouts are going to be the obvious place for businesses to open the virtual door to the world. Having a Video Hangout for the Sales and Customer Service teams is the starting point with the potential to offer what may be one of the more realistic video interactions so far available via any Social Network. Current and potential customers will be able to drop in on your company Hangout to talk about what ever is on their mind with members of your teams and fellow consumers.

However, from a business perspective Google+ Hangouts have one major drawback, that is the ability for anyone to drop in. Of course this is the business objective however, as we all know not all business discussions should be public. I assume when Google+ enables business accounts this issue will be resolved for business account owners who can expect additional privacy settings for Hangouts..

The Last Word

Its early days for Google+ and exactly how it pans out from here only Google knows. I suspect Google Games is going to be the next release on G+, an indication of its intent to challenge Facebook head on. I do hope we see some Linkedin components as we move forward.

Times, probably the most significant element which requires management in Social Media Programs. Google+ will no doubt add to your daily workload. Monitor your results over time, once you see where your efforts are paying off.

Google+ may not yet be a Facebook or Linkedin force yet, but with a touch of Linkedin in a Google+ future, it may just be the powerhouse your business needs. Plan for the long term.