15 January 2013

Google+ Communities


Google+ Communities Breakthrough Development...

Towards the end of 2012, Google+ released a new development called Communities, it looked interesting to me and it looked powerful but I didn't 'get it' straight away. I've 'Got it' now and I will explain why it will also help you to target your messages more effectively and efficiently and why it will be easier for your connections to pick out the communications that they want to see, thus cutting down on all the noise that can be present on Facebook Groups.

It's Very Easy...

Normally, if I have a project/campaign that I want to support and promote, I'd quickly build a website on Moonfruit and grab a domain name....job done....oh and get a Twitter profile and a Facebook page for the campaign, then put those live feeds on the website.....I was just about to do the same little scenario with SHOCK Cash Mob, which is my initiative to support local and independent businesses across the UK. I have got a very unfinished website, got the domain name....I've got a group page for SHOCK Cash Mob on Facebook and then I heard about Google + Communities. So, I thought I'd have a go at setting one up and I've just realised that from the structure of it, it can act like a very easily made website, with no programming or fiddly bits required.

Powerful Tool...

In Google+ Communities, you can have various sections, so you can focus on each message you are trying to say and members can filter out unwanted 'noise' by just choosing to go to the section they want to go to.

I find it a really logical progression. For instance on Facebook Groups, certain messages stay up at the top because they are the popular ones but it might be that you are looking for something more specialised and specific than the posts that are up at the top.

If you already have a Facebook Group imagine having the facility to be able to compartmentalise posts, so that people can find what they want really easily.

Take a Look...

Visit my SHOCK Cash Mob UK Community on Google+ and you'll be able to look at Press in one section, for instance and look at Business and Shop suggestions in another section, which means that as well as other's messages coming over more powerfully, you'll also be able to target your message more effectively too.

I feel very excited about this new development and can't wait to work on my new Google+ Group and turn it into a forum where people can interact on every page but with a simple website structure, within the forum, almost like an internet, within the internet.

If you are interested in how you can use Google+ Communities to connect with 'Your Tribe', then please take a look at my community and if you want to support local and independent businesses, then please join the community, which you can find here.

If you have your own Google+ Community, then please post the link to it in the comments section. Thank you. x

2 January 2013

Google+ Mentions in Blogs!


Google+ Is Growing!

If you are not on Google+ already, you might find that you need to get onto it NOW! This social media platform is becoming stronger day by day and the developers keep coming up with surprising and simple little twists that increase Google+'s attractiveness as a platform to engage in.

Mention Google+ People, Easily!

Their newest twist is to make it ever so easy to 'tag' or 'mention' people that are on google+, in your Blogger blog!

You Can Tag Pages and People...


Look, if I put this, +My Coffee Stop it brings up our Google+ page, in a little box to the side when you hoover over it and you can put our page into one of your circles!!

So, seeing as you are probably trying this out right now, these are the kind of circles that I suggest you put us in:

Coffee
Food
Drink
Healthy Living
Community
Independent Coffee Shops
Herbal Tea
Social Media
Cash Mobs
Ethical
London
North London
Enfield
Great Britain
UK
Gallery
Workshops
Venue
Meeting place
Exhibition/Gallery

And a few more that you can decide for yourself!

Oh and if I do this, +Karen Mercer you can now see my personal profile on Google+.

Is 2013 Google+'s Year?

Well, to me it looks like it could be!  +John Salmon is right when he says that it looks like we won't be able to avoid getting involved in Google+, in his post on The Ideas Station, Facebook group. Another good friend of mine, +Sleeping Menace, was talking to me about the growing phenomena that is Google+, just the other day!

I've yet to have a natter with my friend +Garry kousoulou about this yet but I have a feeling, that he will agree. I'd love you to comment on this post Garry!

Find Out More...

If you want to read in more detail, what this is all about, then read this!

Tell Me More...

I feel very excited by this new development. How do you feel?

Please let me know by posting your comment here.

Looks like 2013 could at last be the year that Google+ wins the social media battle. Let's see.