I’ve been spending a substantial amount of time on Google Plus lately. I understand, I’m geeking out. But it’s quickly becoming the best social media platform these days. It’s an incredible method to meet new people, connect with potential customers, and deepen relationships with your consumers – and much more than on most social sites.
I understand a lot of businesses don’t quite get it. This is a huge site, and there’s always news being added (hey, it’s Google). The particular features that are on it have a lot depth, lots of businesses just don’t have you a chance to learn them all – and actually make use of them.
That said, I keep seeing plenty of mistakes by companies – large and small, being created over and over again. I thought I’d provide you with a rundown of these – so you won’t need to make them!
Listed below are 9 top mistakes on Google+
Set up a business page in case you using Google+ for your company. It will help your SEO!
It’s really easy to setup a company page on Google+. It’s much like making a business Page on Facebook in that you must have a personal G+ to create a business site, you categorize your business, provide a location (ah – VERY important for Google Places) and so forth.
It’s ok to publish as yourself too, but make sure your company increased on the site. Otherwise, you miss the chance to link back to it, reference it, is to do all those kinds of things to raise your company profile, and SERP (search engine results page) position.
When you’re making your company profile:
All this works to give you better SEO, available, and it makes you more marketable for your customers, as you describe your company.
Here’s an example of an organization on GooglePlus that have messed this up. They didn’t complete their introduction, or even location. Their tagline does clue you in as to of their business -but they missed the opportunity to communicate trust with their market, and give information on many (with those lovely searchable keywords).
They have to include who they are, the actual provide, buying their wares, and where they are (particularly when they don’t have online sales).
Occurs profile to market your company. Describe your products or service. The location. You’ll get available on both G+ and – Search engines.
Don’t mess this up!
Do you hate this as much a I actually do? Don’t stuff your G+ profile with keywords only. This can not enable you to get ranked higher for SEO.
Keyword stuffing is really a really old marketing trick. But it just doesn’t is not the best way to go with Google’s semantic search anymore.
Google’s semantic lookup is really a super huge, complex technical process. (Like, I could imagine a large number of super brilliant math and tech people dedicating their every waking moment in order to search increasingly better for you and me. ) However in a nutshell, Google’s semantic search is attempting to rank pages for his or her consumers (yes, Google has customers too – me and you – and everyone), based on the highest quality, and relevant content. Google’s current (and ever evolving) lookup, type of ‘reads’ your articles, and sorts it for search.
Stuffing your own profile with keywords like: “wedding dresses, bridal gowns, wedding dresses” is not really cool anymore. Google reads this like those would. It’s spam.
Write for the customers, using your natural descriptions. Take notice of the details you provide, and include an array of your product names, or services. Your consumers will be thankful – and Google will too.
Ever before, Google+ had a design makeover. Among the significant changes included a bigger cover image.
You can’t load a protective cover image that’s under the minimum 480 pixels wide by 270 pixels high. It is far better to use something closer to the utmost 2120 x 1192 pixels, so your image is going to be clear. Also, make sure your image scales towards the right dimensions, and you take the location of the profile image into account.
Don’t choose a cover image grainy. Don’t make use of a poorly proportioned image. Don’t make use of a badly placed image. Don’t use a cover like here:
Have got the talent in-house, as well as money to outsource it – get creative and create your cover image something to talk about. Take a look at cool examples like GE.
Google plus allows you to segment the folks you follow. For businesses, this means you are able to send out targeted posts to targets circles of connections you might have. Yes, pretty cool.
You are able to, like generate Circles for: in-store customers; online customers; spouses; industry leaders; business friends; peers; and so on
Make sure you use them. After which, make sure you make use of them well.
Write targeted updates to send in order to targeted groups. Like Whole Foods frequently posts different updates linking towards the same blog post on their website. If they happen to have their Circles set up, they could obtain a bit more clever. They might actually direct their various G+ posts specific, targeted markets.
This update for their blog post about strawberry recipes, could be specific for a ‘Customer’ circle, for instance:
This update with “Got strawberries? ” might be given to ‘Public’ and ‘Extended Circles’ (‘Extended Circles’ gets your updates posted in order to Circles of the Circles).
They might make other updates too, to send in order to ‘Suppliers’, and every other targeted groups.
Using Circles can extend the life span of your updates (and blog posts), and may your them to resonate better with all of your segmented connections.
Circles are a great way to target you to achieve your targeted consumers. Don’t overuse or abuse all of them.
Like let’s say one of your Circles is relatively small , and close-knit. It may be an business association (like the Chamber of Commerce) you are part of, or even co-workers. Don’t post your update for them AND send them an email to notify those within your Circle with regards to your recent post:
Like on Facebook, Google offers algorithms so that posts get seen in your People’s news feed. The e-mail option lets you make sure an essential post will reach the Circles you will need it to (like to customers, if you’re posting in regards to a social contest marketing strategy, for example).
(Another cool thing about delivering your G+ via email is you can select individuals in your Circles to send a message to. If, for example, you +mention a market leader in your blog post, you can send a message to them directly, and to several of your coworkers or good customers.)
However – don’t over-use this function! It’s particularly annoying in case your Circles never have asked you for continual updates! It’s junk e-mail.
If you’re using Google+, and you also understand enough to be onto it regularly – you’ll know not to do this social networking faux pas.
Social media is about getting together with your customers, networks and clients. People despise to hangout with people who only discuss themselves. The same holds true about getting updates from companies that are only posting about themselves.
Remember the 80/20 guideline in social networking? 80% of your posts ought to be about lifestyle, customers and stuff besides you; 20% should be about you as well as your products.
This really is called engagement.
I enjoy pick on real estate agents with this one. They are kind of notoriously bad at social internet marketing. Here’s a great example of how to not post:
I would really think realtors knows better, given the emotional sale involved in purchasing a home. Why don’t they get that social online is similar to social offline? They’re still selling for their clients when they’re using social networking.
This posting could have been written something similar to:
“Have you ever wanted the luxurious lifestyle associated with having a cool dip in your luscious backyard pool between the privacy of full grown palms?
With 7 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms, this might be the one for you.
Set me loose on your this Sunday, July 28 to have an exclusive look…. 598 Northeast 56 Saint., Miami”
(Instead of tagging it along with “pool” tag it with “Miami” “luxuryhomes”, and so on )
It’s social media, as well as your customers want more of your mouth. Don’t just post your product on Google+, after which be disappointed whenever you haven’t sold anything.
Another big no-no is not addressing negative comments on the posts. Bad comments will happen. It’s a forum, and not everyone is going to accept you, or even like what you are.
As a business, it’s essential that you keep monitoring all of your social sites. You have to judge how to respond to comments on the updates. It’s important to pay attention to your customer, right? You need to show which you do this. Address of great importance to your negative commentators quickly and smartly to prevent an escalation of negative feelings communicate business.
For example, if it is
Ultimately, you may not have the ability to please the commenter, also it may go unresolved. That’s ok – so long as you’ve actually attempted to listen. (If it’s an inappropriate comment – delete this, but I’d attempt to tell the commenter first – not doing so can result in even more PR trouble for you…)
Communities are a huge part of why is G+ great. Find communities that match your business niche, and join in.
Communities were introduced on Google+ at the end of 2012. They were kind of a reply to Facebook groups, and also to Twitter #hashtag communities, and perhaps LinkedIn groups. Google+ Communities are growing quickly, and is incredibly engaging. Basically, they are a method to find your niche interests online, and connect to them.
To find Communities, click “Communities” in the left drop box:
Google will give you tips about Communities to join (based on your G+ updates), you might as well search for relevant groups.
You will find Communities from Accountants on G+ to Z’s Proxy Factory, as well as everything between.
Oh yeah, and if you actually can’t find your niche community yet – you may make your own and invite followers to join. There are a great number of commercial enterprise groups, though (like Entrepreneurs, Self-Employed & Commercial enterprise, Small Business, and Social networking Trends for Small Business). So even though you’re not finding your customers, join several business related ones – start to network, and you also never truly know where those connections will lead you.
Should you be not using Communities, you’re missing out on an incredible way to connect with your customer online. Make use of them!
But do not abuse them by only posting spam, in support of about yourself. Engage, share others’ posts, opinion. Treat Communities just like a networking breakfast, or trade show. These will be your customers! Give them respect and interest, and they'll likely reciprocate!
Last, but not least, I must mention this pet peeve! Do not post a hyperlink – and not include at least a short comment!
Not only does this cause you to look thoughtless, these posts have low engagement. Posting a fix with no introduction gives no motivation to see it, let alone +, share or discuss.
To be successful in social networking, you need to make the effort. Post with something interesting to express!
Performs this one go without saying!?! Make sure that your product pages, blog post pages, website along with other other relevant landing pages have an simple to click G +1 button!
If you do not have one, get the +1 Button now.
Make it prominent within the pages you want shared on this massive social network site.
Very good reading. Now you don’t have to create these mistakes yourself, right?
Exactly what do you think? Do you use Google+ for the business? What mistakes perhaps you have seen? Share them in the comments.
I understand a lot of businesses don’t quite get it. This is a huge site, and there’s always news being added (hey, it’s Google). The particular features that are on it have a lot depth, lots of businesses just don’t have you a chance to learn them all – and actually make use of them.
That said, I keep seeing plenty of mistakes by companies – large and small, being created over and over again. I thought I’d provide you with a rundown of these – so you won’t need to make them!
Listed below are 9 top mistakes on Google+
Mistakes #1: Not Completing Your User profile
Set up a business page in case you using Google+ for your company. It will help your SEO!
It’s really easy to setup a company page on Google+. It’s much like making a business Page on Facebook in that you must have a personal G+ to create a business site, you categorize your business, provide a location (ah – VERY important for Google Places) and so forth.
It’s ok to publish as yourself too, but make sure your company increased on the site. Otherwise, you miss the chance to link back to it, reference it, is to do all those kinds of things to raise your company profile, and SERP (search engine results page) position.
When you’re making your company profile:
- Don’t miss the chance the business keywords within your tagline and introduction.
- Google gives you the chance to include all your other social site links. Utilize it.
- Include your website, and location (particularly for those who have a bricks and mortar store).
All this works to give you better SEO, available, and it makes you more marketable for your customers, as you describe your company.
Here’s an example of an organization on GooglePlus that have messed this up. They didn’t complete their introduction, or even location. Their tagline does clue you in as to of their business -but they missed the opportunity to communicate trust with their market, and give information on many (with those lovely searchable keywords).
They have to include who they are, the actual provide, buying their wares, and where they are (particularly when they don’t have online sales).
Occurs profile to market your company. Describe your products or service. The location. You’ll get available on both G+ and – Search engines.
Don’t mess this up!
Mistakes #2: Keyword Stuffing Your User profile
Do you hate this as much a I actually do? Don’t stuff your G+ profile with keywords only. This can not enable you to get ranked higher for SEO.
Keyword stuffing is really a really old marketing trick. But it just doesn’t is not the best way to go with Google’s semantic search anymore.
Google’s semantic lookup is really a super huge, complex technical process. (Like, I could imagine a large number of super brilliant math and tech people dedicating their every waking moment in order to search increasingly better for you and me. ) However in a nutshell, Google’s semantic search is attempting to rank pages for his or her consumers (yes, Google has customers too – me and you – and everyone), based on the highest quality, and relevant content. Google’s current (and ever evolving) lookup, type of ‘reads’ your articles, and sorts it for search.
Stuffing your own profile with keywords like: “wedding dresses, bridal gowns, wedding dresses” is not really cool anymore. Google reads this like those would. It’s spam.
Write for the customers, using your natural descriptions. Take notice of the details you provide, and include an array of your product names, or services. Your consumers will be thankful – and Google will too.
Mistakes #3: Utilizing a Bad Cover Image
Ever before, Google+ had a design makeover. Among the significant changes included a bigger cover image.
You can’t load a protective cover image that’s under the minimum 480 pixels wide by 270 pixels high. It is far better to use something closer to the utmost 2120 x 1192 pixels, so your image is going to be clear. Also, make sure your image scales towards the right dimensions, and you take the location of the profile image into account.
Don’t choose a cover image grainy. Don’t make use of a poorly proportioned image. Don’t make use of a badly placed image. Don’t use a cover like here:
Have got the talent in-house, as well as money to outsource it – get creative and create your cover image something to talk about. Take a look at cool examples like GE.
Mistakes #4: Not Using Groups
Google plus allows you to segment the folks you follow. For businesses, this means you are able to send out targeted posts to targets circles of connections you might have. Yes, pretty cool.
You are able to, like generate Circles for: in-store customers; online customers; spouses; industry leaders; business friends; peers; and so on
Make sure you use them. After which, make sure you make use of them well.
Write targeted updates to send in order to targeted groups. Like Whole Foods frequently posts different updates linking towards the same blog post on their website. If they happen to have their Circles set up, they could obtain a bit more clever. They might actually direct their various G+ posts specific, targeted markets.
This update for their blog post about strawberry recipes, could be specific for a ‘Customer’ circle, for instance:
This update with “Got strawberries? ” might be given to ‘Public’ and ‘Extended Circles’ (‘Extended Circles’ gets your updates posted in order to Circles of the Circles).
They might make other updates too, to send in order to ‘Suppliers’, and every other targeted groups.
Using Circles can extend the life span of your updates (and blog posts), and may your them to resonate better with all of your segmented connections.
Mistakes #5: Spamming Your Groups
Circles are a great way to target you to achieve your targeted consumers. Don’t overuse or abuse all of them.
Like let’s say one of your Circles is relatively small , and close-knit. It may be an business association (like the Chamber of Commerce) you are part of, or even co-workers. Don’t post your update for them AND send them an email to notify those within your Circle with regards to your recent post:
Like on Facebook, Google offers algorithms so that posts get seen in your People’s news feed. The e-mail option lets you make sure an essential post will reach the Circles you will need it to (like to customers, if you’re posting in regards to a social contest marketing strategy, for example).
(Another cool thing about delivering your G+ via email is you can select individuals in your Circles to send a message to. If, for example, you +mention a market leader in your blog post, you can send a message to them directly, and to several of your coworkers or good customers.)
However – don’t over-use this function! It’s particularly annoying in case your Circles never have asked you for continual updates! It’s junk e-mail.
Mistakes #6: Posting No More than Your Product
If you’re using Google+, and you also understand enough to be onto it regularly – you’ll know not to do this social networking faux pas.
Social media is about getting together with your customers, networks and clients. People despise to hangout with people who only discuss themselves. The same holds true about getting updates from companies that are only posting about themselves.
Remember the 80/20 guideline in social networking? 80% of your posts ought to be about lifestyle, customers and stuff besides you; 20% should be about you as well as your products.
This really is called engagement.
I enjoy pick on real estate agents with this one. They are kind of notoriously bad at social internet marketing. Here’s a great example of how to not post:
I would really think realtors knows better, given the emotional sale involved in purchasing a home. Why don’t they get that social online is similar to social offline? They’re still selling for their clients when they’re using social networking.
This posting could have been written something similar to:
“Have you ever wanted the luxurious lifestyle associated with having a cool dip in your luscious backyard pool between the privacy of full grown palms?
With 7 bedrooms and 3 full bathrooms, this might be the one for you.
Set me loose on your this Sunday, July 28 to have an exclusive look…. 598 Northeast 56 Saint., Miami”
(Instead of tagging it along with “pool” tag it with “Miami” “luxuryhomes”, and so on )
It’s social media, as well as your customers want more of your mouth. Don’t just post your product on Google+, after which be disappointed whenever you haven’t sold anything.
Mistakes #7: Ignoring Negative Remarks
Another big no-no is not addressing negative comments on the posts. Bad comments will happen. It’s a forum, and not everyone is going to accept you, or even like what you are.
As a business, it’s essential that you keep monitoring all of your social sites. You have to judge how to respond to comments on the updates. It’s important to pay attention to your customer, right? You need to show which you do this. Address of great importance to your negative commentators quickly and smartly to prevent an escalation of negative feelings communicate business.
For example, if it is
- a complaint about a product, keep these things email you so you can consider their specifics.
- a negative comment with regards to your company, try to address their particular issues, to show it into a positive.
- a nasty comment with regards to your post, try to communicate.
Ultimately, you may not have the ability to please the commenter, also it may go unresolved. That’s ok – so long as you’ve actually attempted to listen. (If it’s an inappropriate comment – delete this, but I’d attempt to tell the commenter first – not doing so can result in even more PR trouble for you…)
Mistakes #8: Not Joining Interests
Communities are a huge part of why is G+ great. Find communities that match your business niche, and join in.
Communities were introduced on Google+ at the end of 2012. They were kind of a reply to Facebook groups, and also to Twitter #hashtag communities, and perhaps LinkedIn groups. Google+ Communities are growing quickly, and is incredibly engaging. Basically, they are a method to find your niche interests online, and connect to them.
To find Communities, click “Communities” in the left drop box:
Google will give you tips about Communities to join (based on your G+ updates), you might as well search for relevant groups.
You will find Communities from Accountants on G+ to Z’s Proxy Factory, as well as everything between.
Oh yeah, and if you actually can’t find your niche community yet – you may make your own and invite followers to join. There are a great number of commercial enterprise groups, though (like Entrepreneurs, Self-Employed & Commercial enterprise, Small Business, and Social networking Trends for Small Business). So even though you’re not finding your customers, join several business related ones – start to network, and you also never truly know where those connections will lead you.
Should you be not using Communities, you’re missing out on an incredible way to connect with your customer online. Make use of them!
But do not abuse them by only posting spam, in support of about yourself. Engage, share others’ posts, opinion. Treat Communities just like a networking breakfast, or trade show. These will be your customers! Give them respect and interest, and they'll likely reciprocate!
Mistakes #9: Posting Without Remarks
Last, but not least, I must mention this pet peeve! Do not post a hyperlink – and not include at least a short comment!
Not only does this cause you to look thoughtless, these posts have low engagement. Posting a fix with no introduction gives no motivation to see it, let alone +, share or discuss.
To be successful in social networking, you need to make the effort. Post with something interesting to express!
**Bonus Mistake: Without Having a G +1 Button
Performs this one go without saying!?! Make sure that your product pages, blog post pages, website along with other other relevant landing pages have an simple to click G +1 button!
If you do not have one, get the +1 Button now.
Make it prominent within the pages you want shared on this massive social network site.
Conclusion
Very good reading. Now you don’t have to create these mistakes yourself, right?
Exactly what do you think? Do you use Google+ for the business? What mistakes perhaps you have seen? Share them in the comments.
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