1) Establish a Presence
As with any social network, the first step is to claim ownership of your business presence by creating a Google+ page. While the process for creating your page is simple, it’s critical that you take the time to input the most accurate information. If you skip any steps, your Google+ presence will not be optimized, lessening its power. When creating a page, be sure to:
- Select the category that best describes your business
- Name your page using your company name
- List all external websites
- Fill out all sections using keywords
- Use a captivating image
2) Build Communities
Once you’ve created your Google+ page, it’s time to build the community. It’s impossible to leverage a social platform without an engaged audience, so ask people to join your circles in order for them to see what you post.
Communities allow your business to start and join conversations around topics and interests. The more you involved you become, the larger your exposure and the more likely you’ll be to attract the right audience.
3) Increase Engagement
The more you engage, the larger your impact will be. Be sure to post interesting links to articles, videos, photos and events. Additionally, engage with other Google+ pages by commenting and giving +1’s. Timing is also key when it comes to building engagement. Posting too often can frustrate your audience, while posting infrequently reduces the likelihood you’ll form meaningful relationships.
4) Get Involved
In addition to posting on your page, sharing content and participating in communities, Google+ offers a unique way to get involved, Hangouts. Hangouts are a great way to bring conversations to life, and a feature unique to Google+. They are live conversations with numerous ways to communicate, including live streaming video, chat, photos and voice. Participating in and hosting Hangouts will boost visibility, engagement and influence.
5) Gain Influence
The best way to gain influence on Google+ is to have an optimized page, solid content and an active presence. Be sure to add a Google+ badge to your business website and share that you’ve joined Google+ on your other social platforms, as well.
Join others’ circles and engage with their pages. Provide relevant feedback by commenting and actively participating in Hangouts and communities. The more you participate, the faster you’ll gain influence. However, you must go beyond simply posting on your page. Seek to become an influencer: someone who takes the time to engage consistently and in a meaningful way.
Does your business have a Google+ page? If so, share it in the comments below. And don’t miss RingCentral’s own Google+ page!
Featured image courtesy of Flickr user Magnet 4 Marketing dot Net. Dog image courtesy of Flickr user cambodia4kidsorg.
Originally published Sep 20, 2013, updated Dec 30, 2022
