1. Size is Important
When it comes to social media I am always teaching my clients quality engagement is key (which I will get to in this article). A few thousand active followers are much better than a ton of silent ones.
But, Google+ plus goes against the grain. On Google+, the more followers you have the better! This is because Google+ is linked to your Google search ranking. The more followers you have the better your website ranks. Even when followers are not signed into their Google accounts, your ranking improves if they are following you on Google+.
2. POST to Improve your SEO
In addition to a big following, you want to post frequently so that you can naturally share EACH blog post or new page you add to your website. This is because Google+ posts can be found in search results alongside articles.
Likewise, people can now see recommendations from their connections right in their Google search results. If you are posting frequently, this means great things for your business because it provides the social proof that customers are often seeking. Seeing that people like them have purchased your product makes them far more likely to also purchase it.
3. Use Pictures and Videos
First, you want to post pictures and videos on your wall to add variety to your sharing and increase follower interaction.
Second, you want to upload pictures and videos to your profile because, again, it will improve your Google search engine ranking and help prospects followers to find you.
Special Note: When you add videos and pictures to your profile be sure to add important and relevante keyword phrases to the "alt" field to further improve your Google ranking.
4. Get in on the Conversation
Take time each week to engage on Google+ by commenting on other people's posts. Additionally, look for popular conversations and jump in. When you leave a comment on another popular "thread" or when you +1 the conversation, then you expose yourself to more prospects. This is important to building traffic.
5. Create a page for your business
While you may already have a personal page, did you know that Google+ has added a business page feature? (It is the equivalent to your business fan page on Facebook.)
If you haven't already created one, now is the time. To get started, you will want to visit Create a Page on Google+.
The neat thing about connecting with fans via your Google+ business page is that you can follow them back and add them to your circles.
6. Add links to your business page
Google+ allows you to add clickable links to your business page profile in a number of places. Be sure to utilize this feature!
Where you can, send prospects to a specific page, not just your home page. This helps you to guide their experience and show them the content that they want immediately, instead of hoping they'll fish around for it.
Key Point: Be SURE to put a clickable link in your Intro section. You don't want to ask
In your personal profile on Google+, be sure to add important keyword phrases to the "about" section. You also want to do this same thing on your business page.
Here too, it is vital that you have a good sense of the keyword phrases people in your niche use to find you.
One great way to find out is to survey your current clientel. Ask them, "If you were to find a blog I've written on (insert your topic here) what would you type into Google search?"
Likewise, you can find keyword phrases that are highly searched by using Google's free adword search tool.
When you add a Business page to your personal profile, you can include "mouse-over" or hover text to further explain your business to prospects. Prospects are going to make a split second decision as to whether or not they will click through. You can increase your click through rate with a clear tagline. A good, clear tagline, like a good joke gets people every time.
Are you utilizing the hover text feature?
9. Consider Authorship
Google is piloting a new system that will show author information in search results. The idea behind it is to help users discover great content. For you, as an entrepreneur, it allows you to lay claim to the articles and blogs and such that you've written. If you want your authorship information to appear in search results for your content, then you must have your own Google Profile, and a close up headshot as your profile picture. Next, you will need to verify authorship in one of two ways. First you can, link your content to your Google+ profile using a verified email address. Or, you can set up authorship by linking your content to your Google+ profile. However, be aware that Google doesn't guarantee to show author information in Google Web Search or Google News results.
For more information, click here.
10. Google Hangouts
Hosting regular Google+ hangouts is important because it furthers the relationship you are building with your prospects and it can create repeat customers.
It is also a great way to generate ideas and to quickly find out what your niche REALLY wants.
If you've never attended a hangout before or want to get involved in ones that have already been started check out this site for current hangouts.
Come back and share how it goes!
What tweaks have you made to your Google+ experience?
About Kim
This is outstanding information Kim; I want to make sure to implement these 10 tips. Thanks Kim!!
enjoyed your post on google + a lot of good information as to how to use google + mainly when there is a lot of people having trouble understanding how to use it.. I will surely be visiting to read more because it does help your rank because my is going well and have really done nothing but use google +. thanks for the information.
As always, valuable and pertinent information…am printing this for future reference too! Thanks!
Dear Kim,
Thank goodness for people like you! FB makes my head spin. I don't even consider jumping in on Google + but, the good thing is I know you are here to help! What a relief! Thanks for the great info!
I'm looking forward to learning more about the hangout! Interesting concept and may be ideal for small groups for sure!!! thanks Kim and great job! Patricia
I am just starting to dive into Google +. I really love the hangout concept! Thanks for these great tips!
I love the tips Kim! Google + has the best system for optimizing your profile! I love the hoover text tip, will have to check that out, and the google hangouts are a lot of fun!
Kim, you always provide such great information! I am slowly getting into aGoogle+ I haven't tried the hangout concept yet…on my To Do list. Thank you!
Kim, you are my #1 source for learning about new SM platforms. Between your book on Pinterest and your articles thus far on Google+, you make it so much easier to learn about new SM platforms in an incremental approach, and I really appreciate it!
Okay this is good information.Somehow I'm starting to feel buried in all this good info. help!
Thanks for all your help with Google+ Kim. I started using it this weekend and finding that I really like it. Still getting used to it, but find your tips so helpful.
Great tips Kim! I am working to incorporate all of these!
The hangout are fun!! that was a great way to mastermind!! I loved it!! I am trying to get my author to get G+ ing..;)
Oh I really need to work on Google+. Tanks for the tips Kim.
Kim, Thanks for this comprehensive post. Since I'm just getting to Google +, I'm printing this out to refer to. There is so much to remember with all the different social media platforms!
Christiane
Glad it was helpful Christiane!
I am utilizing Google hangouts! They are awesome and an income generator!
Great post Kim! Truthfully, as I learn more and more about Google+, I'm just loving it more and more! Thanks for this great article! It has encouraged me even more so about the impact of Google+!
Thank you for these tips, Kim. I am actually having a hard time on how to optimize my google+ page. Thanks Kim!..
So much great info… I'm printing it as well!! Want to be able to refer back!!! Thanks Kim for making it so much easier to understand!
Honestly, Google+ is still a mystery for me. Google+ seems to have less conversation than Facebook. I will stick to Facebook for time being since it yield better result. Google needs to improve Google+ subtly.
Google+ is definitely still evolving.
Nice post, Kim. I'm actually doing most of those already, so I feel justified in using Google+ now, despite all the bashing it takes.
I've heard about authorship but haven't done anything with it yet. Is it possible to link to a Business Profile page through it?
Meaning, I run a blog on JoeShopping.com. Can I tie each blog post to the JoeShopping Google+ profile page?
Kim, thanks for this great info! I am still trying to feel my way through Google+, and I have already implemented a few changes after reading this. I could really use a tutorial, but I found this article extremely helpful.
Glad it was helpful Nikki!
This was a fantastic article. Extremely easy to follow — thank you for sharing your expertise!
Glad you got value from it, Vanessa!
Hi Kim,
With over 28000 likes on FB how do you see the future for Google + compared to FB?
Is your activity on FB changing at all?
Do you think there could be even more social media sites introduced in the future?
Thank you
Nick
I think Google+ has a ton of potential moving forward. I am actively working to build a community there. There will always be something ‘new’ and, perhaps even better but the reality is that people don’t like change and the platforms that are established as big now, will most likely have a presence for some time to come UNLESS they do something to totally screw it up
Hi Kim, Great advise on Google + I must say Google is different than Facebook but in it’s own unique way. I find a lot of interesting posts happening on G+ I think a big help is how you can add a whole group of people and get into some interesting feeds to watch. When you plus 1 something it’s the same as giving it a Like on Facebook. You don’t have to share it if you +1 it but you can select the share button as well if you want . There is also the option of creating a business page which you should do too . Thanks for the great tips!
Glad you got value from the content, Chris! I agree that the circles have huge value!