I know there is this deep impression many business people have towards LinkedIn being the ONLY place on the internet they get any ‘Traction’ towards their business’ mission. I totally understand. I use to feel the same way until I learned what Google+ offers that LinkedIn will never EVER be able to touch.
Started with LinkedIn
It is not like I have never used LinkedIn. I joined LinkedIn when it started in late 2002 which means I have seen every change they have made since then. I’m still present on LinkedIn but only as a placeholder for my business resume which rounds out my digital footprint. I even ventured off into LinkedIn Premium when it became available and keep in touch with what they offer in the premium level so I am aware of what LinkedIn offers at both levels. I will admit pre-2011 I was receiving over 85% of my business directly from my LinkedIn account. That was until Google launched Google+ in June 2011 and that is when the world of social media and social networking changed.
Google+ Powered by Google Search
Now, here it is late 2014 and I get nearly 90% of my business from Google+ and less than 10% from LinkedIn. Why? It is pretty simple why I..and you..can get more more business from Google+. Over 95% of the people who use the internet are here for one thing…sorry, it is not to see Caturday .gifs. Nearly everyone out here will, at sometime during their time online, use Google Search to find something. I’ve said it before and say it again..social media has now changed to social search.
Got To Be Found
Yes, believe it or not, Google knows what they are doing and I thank them since without them my phone would never ring or email/chat would seldom light up. Of course, a post made on LinkedIn will show up in a Google Search. However, for example, when you search my name you will eventually see my LinkedIn profile, but only after you see what I have been posting on Google+ which is what consumers of my services..and my client’s produce/services…seem to prefer. Plus, when consumers see more from Google+ than from LinkedIn which one do you think they are going to click on first?
Got To Make The Change
It is not uncommon for me to hear…“But Scot, I only want business executives and corporate decision makers to see what I offer, not people whose only purpose in life is to show how silly they can be !” My answer recently to these remarks has been a question like…“So you are saying you have not use Google+?” I’m not trying to be tacky..well not much anyway…but it’s clear many business people are wasting a lot of their time on LinkedIn. Most do so from the suggestion of others and are not aware that things have changed out here in LaLaLand. I have found in most cases these people who refuse to realize internet marketing has change do so because they have not received their ROI from being shown how to use sites like LinkedIn. Saying they don’t see the benefits from something do not understand is a normal defense mechanism many business people have to rationalize their need to Not Change. I think we have all been there. Change is not easy, especially when you look at the time and money spent learning how to use a site like LinkedIn.
Consumers Thinking
Consumer’s thinking towards the internet changed . The change in consumer thinking came about as a result of 90% of internet users over the years had been scammed by someone, or thing, they connected with on the internet. Consumer’s trust of anything or anyone on the internet fell off so much it changed the way consumers use anything on the internet. This means, consumers will search Google to validate what they have been told. One thing business people stuck on thinking LinkedIn is the ONLY to be seemed to forget is the people who they are attempting to attract on LinkedIn are going to Google Search first to check them out. If they are not satisfied with what they find find on Google they are gone.
Time For Only One Social Space
Business people have to have a solid presence on Google Search. This cannot be achieved by just being on LinkedIn. However, this brings up the issue of time and how much time a business person has to be online everyday. The conversations business of all sizes are starting to have has to do with the amount of time needed to be relevant online. These business people who do not fully understand what it takes to be influential online are starting to lean toward there only being enough money and time to be interactive on one social space. This kind of thinking WILL eventually lead to many businesses only focusing on one social networking site. Unfortunately, it is becoming clear LinkedIn is not the One site to be on. Now it is true, LinkedIn has made some changes and they are good changes. However, consumers of content from the internet have changed to go in a different direction than where LinkedIn changed. Yes, LinkedIn is still a site dedicated to upholding a user’s professional image, but that does not help if consumers are not going specifically to LinkedIn first for that information. Consumers have to manage their time as well and they have learned to use Google Search to manage their time.
Bottomline:
Google Search has become the place consumers go to validate information. Consumers will make their decision on what business they will use or what product they will buy..and where they will buy it..from what they find in their Google Search. If your business or your professional profile is not coming up with a high ranking on the Google Search you have missed an opportunity. Since a constant presence on Google+ is rewarded with a higher ranking on Google Search it would be logical for you and your business to get busy on Google+. Unfortunately, Google is not doing a very good job marketing Google+ which keeps many businesses from taking Google+ very serious. This leaves promoting the advantages and benefits of Google+ to users like me to tell people like you the advantages are from using Google+. So who am I? Google me and find out. Like every other professional who uses the internet I take my presence online seriously and would not be offering my thoughts on Google+ if there was not a true advantage to designating Google+ as my home base online. If you are one of the thousands who do not understand the G+ advantages or do not use Google+, and you are interested in being found on the Google Search engine, I invite you to do join me on Google+. It is the one site to be on. Let me know how I can help.
