Any avid content marketer or social media marketer will know that seeing your Google+ notification button lit up in orange is (worryingly) exhilarating. Has someone added you to their circles? Given your post a +1? The excitement is almost too much, and as a result everything else gets shoved down the priority list as you race to ascertain the latest goings-on in your profile.
Now imagine how you’d feel if the number inside that little orange box hit double figures – every single day. Read on and your Google+ dreams may become a reality sooner than you might think!
Broadcast your posts to the world
It is crucial to bear in mind that Google+ posts are not made public automatically, so first-time visitors to your profile won’t be able to gain access to your content as and when they please. If they can’t see you stuff, they’re hardly going to follow you or add you to their circles; this will only happen if you look authoritative and post regular, engaging content that people want to read. Make sure you give the button below your post a click to make them public.
While we’re on the subject, here’s a great infographic designed to solve any issues concerning user/visibility on Google+.
Let’s get ready to ramble
Unlike Twitter, where posts are limited to just 140 characters, Google+ loves lengthy posts – in fact, this is its unique selling point. So take a leaf out of your Nan’s book and be prepared to write lengthy, intelligent posts and replies that hit at least the 200 word mark. Not only will the people you follow and members of communities appreciate your input and consider you a valuable addition to their circles, but also extensive public posts may appear in search engine results, giving the general public easy access to your profile and the content that lies within.
Use your social skills
If you have the ability to talk the hind legs off a donkey (in a relevant and engaging manner, of course) Google+ is the place for you. However, it’s not all about what you have to say. Google+ is a SOCIAL media site, so use your social skills. It’s impossible to have a conversation if you don’t stop for breath and listen to what others have to say on the subject, so if you want to spark interesting discussions and debates, you need to read and respond to other people’s views.
#followfriday
Ok wrong platform – but a call to action tacked onto your email signature or your Twitter bio asking readers to add you on Google+ can be an effective way to gain more followers. You can also request the help of family and friends to get you started. The ten seconds they spend adding you on Google+ will boost your authority as an author in the eyes of all-seeing, all-knowing Google. And if your nearest and dearest happen to have a large following on Google+, all the better for you!
You may have noticed that Google+ has a brand new layout - find out how content marketers can use it to their advantage here.
Jenny Maclean
