Google+ as a Business Tool

The Google+ Stats

1. Google+ has passed Twitter and is now the second-biggest social platform worldwide.

2. GlobalWebIndex says that 25 percent of worldwide Internet users are now active on Google+ at least once a month — second behind Facebook (51 percent), but ahead of YouTube and Twitter (both 21 percent).

3. 250 million members are active (compared to 900 million for Facebook and 140 million on Twitter)

4. Google+ is 69% male.

Let’s Compare Google+ and Facebook

• Facebook is a place to connect with Family, Friends, and Business Acquaintances. • Google+ is a place to connect with people who have similar interests.

• Facebook – the conversation is more casual.• Google+ - the conversation is more about business, news, education, sports etc.

• Facebook – users expect to see personal posts, family photos.• Google+ - users expect to see interesting content.

• Facebook – the conversation is more personal.• Google+ - the conversation is intellectual.

Why Use Google+?To Increase your SEO through Social Search!

updates and +1s are included

Other Reasons to Use Google+

1. Thanks to mobile search, you absolutely must have a Google Local Page for your business.

2. Over 170 million consumers are already there – with more arriving every day.

3. It broadens your reach and opens you up to a new audience.4. Everything you post on Google+ has a longer shelf life. It will be indexed by

Google search for a longer period of time.5. It’s a simple, easy to use platform.6. Do you blog? Google+ will likely send more traffic to your site than

Facebook or Twitter.

Decide on Your Google+ Goals

1. Enhance Your Social Search SEO. Most of your posting will be about Real Estate

2. Network with and meet other users with similar interests and hobbies. Most of your posting and engaging will be hobby/interest related.

3. Network with and meet other users in your geographic community. Most of your posting and engaging will be geographic related.

How to Get Started!1. Create a profile! If you use Gmail (or any other Google tool,

you already have one). Go to http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/ and click on the blue “Join Google” button.

2. Go here for a great tutorial on setting up your profile and using Google + http://www.google.com/+/learnmore/profile/

3. Upload you Social Media Profile Pic – keep it consistent across your sites for branding.

4. Add your work experience, a bio, contact information and additional photos. Keep all this content public.

5. Add links to your website/blogs and to all your other social media accounts.

6. Set up your Google Authorship. Google Authorship is how Google authenticates and begins to “trust” you as a quality source of content.

How to Get Started!

Photo courtesy of Social Media Examiner

Make sure to include Keywords in your bio, and backlinks to all your sites.

Prepare Your Circles!Circles are Friends Lists - Organize the people you follow

1. Real Estate Industry Circle2. “your City” Circle3. Circles for any and all hobbies/interests you have

Who to Follow?4. Active users who are relevant to your business.5. Users who have the same interests and hobbies

as you do.6. Users who live in the same area as you do.

Start Looking for People to CircleIt’s All About Search

1. Search for your industry2. Search for your city3. Search for people who have similar interests and hobbies4. Upload a contact file5. Circle the users that other people have circled – but only if they have the

audience you want6. Follow other Circles! Simply Search the term “shared a circle with you.”7. Use directories like http://www.plusclout.com/ and

http://www.findpeopleonplus.com/

Start Sharing!Posting for SEO:

1. Post Publically2. Use Hashtags (hashtags are clickable and searchable!)3. Post your OWN content daily – drive traffic back to YOUR site.4. Post interesting content5. When sharing a link to an article or video, make sure the text update is

loaded with keywords.

Posting about your Interests/Hobbies6. Post to the appropriate circles, communities or post publically7. Use Hashtags8. Again, Use keyword rich updates.

Posting about your city9. Post publically10. Use hashtags11. Use Keywords for SEO

Google+ Tips Create a Google Local Page for Your Business!

1. It’s basically a Business Listing – but is searchable from1. Google Maps2. Mobile (It Powers Androids new Voice Search Feature)3. Google+4. Basic Search indexed! (Use Keywords!!!)

2. It uses a 30-point Zagat scores/recommendations to allow users to evaluate and select local businesses.

Google+ Tips Give Google+ Events a Try!

1. Full integration with Google Calendar!

2. Includes a real-time shared Event Photo Stream – very social!

3. Automated reminders4. Integrates with Google+

Hangouts5. Different event types to

choose from:1. Non-Public on location2. Google+ Hangout3. Public event on location4. Event on Air with Google+

Hangout

Google+ Tips Join some Communities, Or Create Your Own!

Communities are like Facebook Groups. Join communities that are relevant to your business, or join communities that you have a specific interest in. For example, you may want to join a community for your favorite NFL team. Or a community for runners. It doesn’t always have to be about real estate. The key is building relationships through networking that will lead to referrals.

Google+ TipsInclude Keywords and Relevant Links on Your About Page

Google+ Tips When Visiting Other Sites, Use the +1 Button to Share!

Be sure to use the +1 button that can be found on many Web sites, including www.Obeo.com/blog . When you see a post you like, click +1 and quickly and easily share the post to your Google+ account.

Google+ TipsCreate Sparks/Interests to Follow

Use the Sparks feature to follow your interests and trending topics. Simply do a search for your interest, then save the search. Now you’ll be able to easily track these topics and re-post / share the most interesting posts.

Google+ TipsGoogle+ Does NOT Replace Facebook

Please don’t stop using Facebook. In my opinion, it’s a different type of networking and engagement. Keep Google+ entirely “Public” and use in to boost your SEO and to meet like minded people.

Facebook is like a dinner party. Keep it fun and engaging, but let people know you’re a Realtor!

Google+ TipsCheck Your Notifications Daily

On the upper right side of the screen you will find your notifications – just look for a red notification number/alert. Here you will find new followers, new comments, likes, shares, and who just followed you back.

Google+ TipsTurn a Post into a Private Message

Create the message in the post field, then remove “public” and type in the name of the person you want to message.

Google+ TipsTry a Hangout!

Hangouts is very much like Skype, but better because you can have up to 20 people, hanging out on video. But you can also do it “on air” and have as many people as you’d like listen in!

• Use it like you would a phone!• Meet with clients w/o leaving your desk!• Make a presentation to Relocation clients!• Team meetings• Create a hangout with the seller and the

inspector/mortgage broker/etc.• Family & Friends

Google+ TipsKeep post topics Consistent for the best SEO!

You can show Google how to categorize your Google+ posts by keeping posts on topic and using consistent keywords. When you consistently use the same topics/interests and keywords, you tell Google that you are an authority on that topic, and Google will promote your page in that searches on that topic.

Google+ TipsWith Google+, MORE is Better!

Unlike most social sites, where engagement reigns over number of followers, due to Social Search, followers reign supreme!

1. Follow LOTS of Users2. Put a badge/widget on your website & blog3. Add a link to your email signature.

Google+ TipsCheck Out Your Ripples!

Google+ TipsTry the Mobile App!

• Do a hangout!• Organize/Create Events• Big beautiful photos!

Google+ TipsPost Often and Use Keyword Phrases for Social Search

Tag Other Users in Your PostsTagging is HUGE on Google+! Add a + sign to tag, and then select the right user profile from a dropdown. When your mention other Google+ users and pages in your posts, your updates will appear in search results. This gives your content even greater reach and better SEO.

Photos Are HOTInstead of just sharing a link, post a photo and add the link to

the photo description.

Make it Social – Pay it ForwardLike, Comment & Share on a Regular Basis!

Engage with other business professionals in an authentic way – read what they post, make comments, and follow their links.

Marci JamesMarci.James@Obeo.com

www.Facebook.com/SayObeowww.Facebook.com/Marci.JamesTwitter: @Obeo & @MarciJames

www.Obeo.com/blogObeo Training Center: www.Obeo.com/Training