Part 2: Is Google Plus Worth Your Time
To understand the value of Google Plus for marketers and identify the hot spots of activity, JC Giraldo and I asked our peers to share their personal opinions on the network. Turns out: “Google Plus is the company picnic”. Read on.
This blog is part two in a series. In the first blog, The Truth about Google Plus, JC Giraldo and I, started to look into the viability of G+ for marketers, sifting through research reports.
This blog presents the results of an informal survey we conducted within our personal networks of G+ users, asking them to share their experiences and opinions.
Of course we conducted this survey on G+:
Randy Milanovic
- Probably the biggest epiphany I’ve had about GPlus is that there’s an influencer type that nobody ever thinks about, yet is the largest population of all: the decision maker’s influencer (I.e. You, I and our contacts – not the big guys).
- When I’m in GPlus or LinkedIn, I’ll take engagement with a regular Joe influencer over even a decision-maker any day. These are the people who will be your champion.
- My measure of success here is in the quality of conversations.
Carrie-Anne Foster
I’m on G+ because I find it very engaging.
- I’ve yet to +mention someone and not have them acknowledge me in some way. The influencers are warm, welcoming and encouraging. Plussers want to help you as much as they are able to.
“Facebook reminds me of high school. It’s fun, silly, and you don’t really learn anything that benefits you in the real world. Google Plus reminds me of university. Still fun, but has a more serious tone. Information that you can use in the real world is constantly coming across your news feed. “
I measure my success…
- …on Google Plus based on the level of engagement I do. The connections I make and how much I am learning.
- I feel G+ is going very good for me and it has become my favourite social media platform by far.
HOA’s are my favourite feature!
- I love being able to interact with people in real-time. Plus it’s wonderful to see/hear a person talk as opposed to reading what they write.
For anyone who is new to Google Plus, my best advice is to remember that you’ll get out of it what you put in. It’s a social platform and users want to engage with other users. Don’t be shy!
Beth Lee Browning
- I started on Google Plus because I was interested in Google Authorship. I’ve learned that there’s a whole lot more to it than that. After accidentally deleting my Google Plus Profile last March, I’ve become an even bigger fan.
- IMO Google Plus is the best network for curating interesting information and useful content from an incredibly wide variety of sources.
- I’m also here for the networking – I’ve met some really great people and my connections have led to real business opportunities. And of course there’s also the potential for increased visibility in personalized search results for people I’m connected with.
Google Plus vs Facebook
- I find Facebook to be very oriented toward personal sharing. When I’m on Facebook I’m not thinking about business, which is why I think it can work for B2C but I’m not convinced of it’s value for B2B marketing.
My favorite feature
- HOA’s. I love adding ones that are about a topic I’m interested in to my calendar and going back to watch it later. I do like the hangouts for one on one conversations.
How do I measure success– hmmmm
- I also feel like it’s the place in which I find the most content that I can learn from.
- Also engagement is one measure, but another measure is that I can attribute actual business opportunities to my activity on the platform. Some have been very direct such as a referral from someone in my network and others have been indirect, but I can trace the lead back to something that had to do with Google Plus.
My additional 2 cents would be around LinkedIn vs Google Plus
- LinkedIn and Google Plus have two very different cultures.
- For me, LinkedIn is the professional breakfast meeting, a place where personal updates are rarely if ever shared and the conversation centers only on business.
- Google Plus on the other hand is the company picnic, a gathering where people are still on their best behavior but they introduce you to their kids and chat about hobbies and interests outsideof work.
If you use both platforms well, prospective clients or recruiters have the opportunity to see the authentic and well-rounded you and that might help you seal the deal.
Elle Hubbard
I came to G+ for the authorship and found nothing to like.
- When I returned with a determination to get to understand it better, I started to really enjoy it. That was mainly down to +Mark Vang inviting me to his community where I have learnt so much. I now love it!
I use FB only to keep up with family, and to connect with clientswho follow my page.
- I have a small following there but they seem pretty engaged when I do post, which is infrequent.
I expect, I should have G+ goals for my business that measure my success…
- …but actually, I measure it by the connections I have made, the fact that I care about finding out what is going on with them, and that I feel I have a good grasp of how to use the platform, and I mean use, rather than leverage. From a business perspective I should probably try harder!
My favorite feature is…
- ...the knowledge contained within the collective minds on the platform. I have picked up so many tips and ideas along the way, that really make a difference to my business. Some have come through HOA’s and some through posts or comments, so that is why the feature is knowledge rather than any particular facility.
- Just to see what I may have missed.
G+ vs. FB: Your thoughts?
- Less salesy, easier to follow, to be honest. I really like the content that +Susan Scrupski posts on G+ too.
How do you measure G+ “success”? How is it going for you?
- Not sure; I don’t get that many “plusses” and since +Steve Rumsby and I had an exchange about posting the same content on multiple platforms I don’t contribute that much here.
What are your favorite features related to G+? (e.g. communities, HOA….)
- I like the Google Hangout (is that a G+ feature)?
- The way it sends “Birthday Wishes” – far better than FB.
Any other insights to share?
- Not sure why it is not taking off.
- I am not sure how to set up Circles.
Also at times +Frank Köhntopp posts some really nice photos to G+ and makes it well worth the visit 🙂
I’m not sure I even want G+ to be successful for marketing – I’m happy with all of that going to FB ;).
Michael J Procopio
G+ is my favorite non-business network (I think of LinkedIn as a business network).
- Although I prefer G+, my family and friends interact on FB not G+.
I haven’t found any success on G+ either personally or professionally other than its SEO benefit.
- I do feel that Hangouts-on-Air are a big success but they are separate from G+ as a social interaction network in my mind.
Hangouts-on-Air is my favorite feature. I think Google has had a number of stumbles with G+ and even thought it is one of the top social networks it doesn’t seem to have found its place yet.
Tom Maiaroto
I’m on G+ mainly because…
- …it’s easy to access from my other Google services and GMail.
I think G+ is a better business tool (B2B) than FB
- I see FB as good for B2C and for personal uses given its privacy and features. Though I don’t use FB that often to connect with friends anyway. I don’t use G+ at all to connect with friends about my personal life. It’s more of a business tool for me.
I have a hard time measuring G+ right now (I’m working on tools to help with that).
- “Success” metrics for me would be growth in terms of people following me (or my pages), engagement (comments and +1’s), and any leads or relationships established due to G+.
- Website metrics tie right into G+ if you’re using Google Analytics and that really helps track success as well. Ultimately driving traffic is a big part of success on the internet.
My favorite features for G+ include business pages and hangouts.
Other insights?
- I don’t know, I think G+ is still trying to find its niche to be frank. It’s another channel that I do try to use, but right now I’m more focused on Twitter.
Jose Facchin
Why are you on G +?
- I started using Google+ in 2012, just to see what this new network offered and I’ve been a little bit saturated with other networks.
- On Google+, there is a good balance between people who have the same interests in regards to professional topics.
G+ vs. FB: Your thoughts?
- The main difference is segmentation. G+ has the circles, which let you easily share targeted content with a specific audience.
How do you measure G+ “success”? How is it going for you?
- I measure success as a high percentage of engagement with my posts, and “follower” growth.
- Google+ is now my second favorite social network, right after Twitter. Twitter refers the most traffic to my blog.
What are your favorite features related to G +? (eg communities, HOA …).
- The best feature on G + is the integration of all Google services.
- G+ communities, because they provide one of the best ways to meet new people who share your interests, and as blogger, it helps me to improve my SEO.
Albert Ramos Catalán
Why are you on G +?
- I openedmy account inGoogle+ in 2011, I was invited because I workedina business incubator, but it was notuntil 2013when I started touse thisnetwork as astrategy. Due to the UX it can be used like LinkedIn for business topics.
- I’d add that is a social network that has a mix between leisure and professional publications.
G+ vs. FB: Your thoughts?
- The main difference, at least in Spain, is that Facebook users log in with an intention to just have fun; more than on Google+.
- There is also a greater range of segmentation and freedom of interaction between users.
- For professionals, it also offers something similar to LinkedIn groups via the communities.
How do you measure G+ “success”? How is it going for you?
- I think that having success on Google+ has a lot to do with getting followers regardless of whether you follow them or not. Just because they like what you are posting.
- More and more people have been following my blog because they have read my posts on G+.
- If I had to rank: Twitter is my favorite network, and Google Plus comes second.
What are your favorite features related to G +? (eg communities, HOA …).
- Google+ is interesting for a variety of services available via Hangouts, their email services and the functionally on mobile devices. Even though similar to LinkedIn groups, G+ functionally works much better on mobile.
- I also like the ability to host webinars and classes on HOA.
Any other insights to share?
- G+ is valuable to drive traffic to your website, blog, or both.
- The influence of G+ on SEO should not be neglected.
Make sure you have a well-defined and distinct strategy for G +. Don’t forget that each social network requires tailored communications to be most effective.
Adrian Bold
Why are you on G+?
- Initially, because I felt obliged to be, i.e. use Google to stay current but now mainly to ‘take a break’ and learn via HOAs and Communities.
G+ vs. FB: Your thoughts?
- I struggle with how best to manage Facebook so tend to stick to people I know offline ‘though that gets tested when someone I know online only sends a friend request. G+ is my slightly more acceptable public face!
How do you measure G+ “success”? How is it going for you...
- No measurement for me and that probably sums up my approach to social media generally. Probably wrongly!
What are your favorite features related to G+? (e.g. communities, HOA….)
- The right communities, e.g. like Sanctuary; good mix of people, knowledge share and well-managed.
Any other insights to share?
- I’m slightly concerned that G+ is turning into one big community of social media experts and everyone else is oblivious to its potential!
If you liked this post, visit MarketingXLerator.com for more insights.
What is your personal experience with Google Plus?
Nice to see you and this post here Natascha. Your interview format told your story in an engaging way through multiple perspectives. Well done!
A little puzzled though that this part 2 doesn't have a part 1 on SCN (or did I miss it?) Your link leads to an external part 1 🙂
In any event, learned quite a bit from this posting and enjoyed the responses from those you interviewed.
Marilyn
I'm just shocked that Tammy Powlas also has time to be on Google+. If there was ever any doubt of Tammy cloning herself now we have a proof. 🙂
What is this HOA everyone speaks of? I'm sure it can't be the Home Owners Association...
Thanks for sharing!
Hangouts on Air. Live video chats broadcast publicly. They are quite fun. I occasionally use them to livestream the view from my telescope, like this:
[embed width="425" height="350"]https://www.youtube.com/embed/leLpdV30U7U[/embed]
or this:
[embed width="425" height="350"]https://www.youtube.com/embed/pbXRVwE_ils[/embed]
Steve.
That's so cool!
Jelena - you are too funny
HOA is Hangouts on Air; G+ does a good job with Google Hangouts - although I need people to "invite" me to them to join. It's like a live webcast where you can participate with comments.
I don't check G+ everyday but when I do, Frank Koehntopp makes it worthwhile with his pictures. Jim Spath also posts interesting pictures.
G+ does a good job too of wishing people happy birthday