Since being one of the many who started on Google+ before it went public I naturally have seen all of the changes Google has made to Google+ and have gained knowledge of everything about G+..and how it is used. This also means I get a lot…in the thousands…of questions from people asking me about G+. Does this make me an Expert?
To proclaim oneself an ‘expert’ lights the fuse to the powder keg of negative scrutiny that will immediately follow. And…when I say negative scrutiny, it may be better said that the person saying they are an expert is asking for a public beating.
Let the record show that even though others have proclaimed me to be an expert in Google+, I have never said I was an expert at Google+ for those stated reasons, but in truth, I do know how Google+ REALLY works…so call me as you may.
Nonetheless, many of the questions I get are concerning how one would go about being considered an expert of Google+. Many people still see becoming an expert as something that would make them more ‘shiny’ to the people they want to influence. Others are purely after the attention being an expert brings to their ego.
Then there others who are truly, like me, only out to help people who need help understanding Google+ and not really out to see their face placed in a list of Google+ experts someone made to capture attention.
There is really nothing wrong with any of the ambitions people have for becoming an expert of Google+, however, there are those few who have turned being an expert of Google+ into somewhat of a private club. Yes, this could be a perception they have developed, but isn’t that where the problem of being listed as an expert resides?
The debate surrounding the self promotion of Google+ expertise will go on to no end so I focus on those who are simply interested in becoming an aficionado of Google+.
For those out to become exstremely knowledgable of Google Plus, here is my list of steps I suggest you take to become knowledgeable of all that Google+ offers:
Get Trained
Even if you have been around Google+ for a while it would behove you to search out to someone you can trust to show you how Google+ really works. There are many who will ‘show you’ how Google+ can be used for a specific purpose, but from what I have seen, this leads them to take the exit to ‘Frustration Avenue’ since they do not have a fundamental knowledge of how all of the features of Google+ work as One.
Use the Features
There is no way to gain knowledge of anything unless you use what it. Many people will sit through a 10 minute video produced to tell you everything they need to know about Google+. All that did was for them was proclaim Google+ as being lame…or some other negative view of the Google+ platform as a whole.
I suggest that if you are out to become proficient in Google+ you spend a lot of time to using each feature. Many of the people I have worked come to me after spending time with a specialist of one Google+ feature who told them what they are a specialist in is the only feature of Google+ they need to use to meet their goal. After becoming trained on all features they usually find what they need in an another feature of Google+ or a combination of features.
Dedication
There is no way I have found to become knowledgeable of Google+ without a significant dedication towards using Google+ daily. When it comes to socializing, social networking, social media, social search, digital marketing or just hacking around online, there are many choices of places to go online to capture just one of these. However, Google+ is the only place to go to capture ALL of these. Not being dedicated to using Google+ as your primary platform will result in a very low level of knowledge of how Google+ actually works. It takes time, but that time spent on Google+ is much, much more rewarding to any of the purposes you have for being online.
Share
I feel strongly, that once a person is able to share something they have found useful is when I would consider them knowledgable. Sharing information, ideas, thoughts and content is what Google+ is all about and Google rewards those who share frequently. The reward comes in the advancement of the content shared in the Google Search. Sharing is the most underrated aspect of Google+ and one that many people…and businesses…do not understand because they are not interested in becoming knowledgeable of Google+.
These four points are what I feel are important for someone to follow if they are out to become part of the many who are knowledgable of Google+. Once you become knowledgable and you want to proclaim yourself an ‘expert’..so be it.
Just remember that once you proclaim your status as a Google+ expert you will still are more than likely going to be left off most of the lists of experts people make. So, don’t get frustrated..just ping me and let’s get after it!
Let me know how I can help.
