Five Tips To Get More Out Of Google Plus

By: Jessica Malnik

Unless you have been living under a rock for the past month, you have probably heard something about Google’s latest attempt to break into the social media space. After failed launches with Wave and Buzz, it looks like the third time may be the charm for the search engine giant. Google Plus is taking the early adopter circuit by storm, and now has close to 18 million users. The odds of it taking off and becoming a real Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin contender are becoming stronger everyday. We’ve compiled five tips to help you navigate G+.

1. Fill out your Google Profile Completely.

Your G+ profile will likely be the first thing that shows up when people search your name. Take advantage of this to the fullest by completely filling out your Google profile with specific keywords, a thorough description and links to your other social profiles, blogs and sites. Not only will your other G+ users know more about you, but everyone on Google will too.

2. Organize Your “Circles” From The Get-Go

Unlike Twitter and Facebook, G+ is adding people at an alarming rate. While technically still in beta, it’s up to 18 million users and that number continues to grow. Adding people to circles early on will only make it easier to organize and declutter your feed.

3. Read all the Google Cheat Sheets

There is a lot of great advice circulating through the inter-webs already. Many of the users, myself included, have been adding advice, tips and tricks to a massive crowdsourced Google doc.

However, if you don’t want to wade through pages and pages of information, there is also this cheatsheet infographic.

4. Test out Google Hangouts

Google Hangouts may be the breakout feature for G+. It’s a multi-person, free video chat feature. Several journalists have already used it to do some pretty creative things, including KOMU-TV, the NBC affiliate in mid-Missouri, broadcasting a Google+ Hangout on-air (see image above).

The potential uses don’t stop there. The uses for marketers and advertisers go well beyond yet another broadcast medium. It has the potential to be a great focus group and customer service channel tool.

5. Beware of the “G+ Expert!”

Lastly, there’s a disturbing trend that is starting to appear. It’s not a new phenomenon. It happens everytime a new social media site appears. It’s the rise of the “expert.” Or, ninja, guru, jedi or whatever they are calling themselves these days. It’s a load of crap.

G+ has been around for about a month. There’s no way anyone can be a credible expert in that period of time. Chances are they are just out to make a quick buck through their “5 ways to make millions from G+ seminar.” Be on guard, and realize that everyone is pretty much on an equal playing field here.

by admin 07.20.2011