I’m really not surprised to see so many people scamming to get on Google+. Even for those thousands of people I know who said they would never use Google Plus now asking me how to use Google+ are not surprising me. I knew it would be just a matter of time before they caught hold of how things have changed in the social networking arena.
Now the problems seems with getting these new Plussers to understand how Google+ works, why it is different than their previous home and how to get a Good Start. Many new plussers will feel confident they know what they are doing and are obtaining an adequate about of interaction. However, it is not until they improve upon their fundamentals of socializing online before they realize they may need to start over.
Let’s take a look at what has proven to work best.
Show Your Face
I am not the first or the only one to state the importance of posting an untouched photo of yourself in your G+ personal profile. If there was one thing that has changed over the past three years that has made online social networking more palatable it has been the push from the users of Google+ to only associate themselves with real people. Showing your face in the form of a nice photo builds trusts. To get a good start on G+ you need to establish an image of trustworthiness. Without the photo your existence on G+ will be less than stellar.
Complete Profile
Next to showing a photo, telling people what you are about and..gasp..where you are located in the world are the clear cut basic necessities to being accepted on Google+. Again, you may feel you are doing OK, and are gaining acceptance without a complete profile, however, most people on Google+ are searching for specific people in specific locations on earth. Having a less than complete profile sends up a huge red flag telling the world…Hey, I have no idea what I am doing.
Share Then Share Some More
The biggest attribute to Google+ is with it’s ability to promote people and their interest through the amount of interaction they have with others. Sharing other Plusser’s posts is seen as the most powerful and flattering form of interaction. The more you share and provide reason on why you are sharing shows other Plussers you are here to socialize and promote others as well as yourself.
Interact With Interactions
Making a comment on a post also is seen by Google as a major form of interaction. Commenting on someone’s comment is also looked at favorably. Being present and responsive to your Google+ existence also attracts other people.
Be Present
One of the most important ways to show your seriousness towards your time spent online is to be online and present to your Google+ following. Using third party programs to post content to Google+ results in the content being seen by Plussers as sterile. Over 85% of the post made to Google+ through programs like HootSuite are very seldom followed up or seen directly posted on the Google+ platform.
This does not mean you have to develop a 24/7 existence. What it does mean is recognizing other’s comments, posts and interaction to your content shows you take what you do, your presence on Google+, as well as your followers time, seriously. Your personal effort to posting directly to G+ attracts even more people to want to interact with you which naturally grows your community.
To get a good start on Google+ you need to make note of the above. There is way more to Google+ than what I have listed here. I’ll be back frequently to offer more of my vast experience on using Google+ successfully. Until then…Let me know how I can help.
