Don’t miss these 5 tips when using Google+ in your social media campaign.
Photo Credit: Aleksandra Gigowska via 123RF
This is a continuation of our social media Platform Profile series.
Google Plus and small business marketing: how are they related? The newest player with the big dogs in social media like Facebook & Twitter is a marketing goldmine for your small business, believe it or not. But where do you start? It begins with getting a little personal about you and your small business. Here are the top 5 things you should do on your company’s G+ page.
1. Get a Custom URL
Creating a “vanity URL” or “custom URL” is a great way to increase a social media presence online for your small business. It means that your URL ends with the name of your business instead of a jumble of letters and numbers. On Facebook, a vanity URL looks like this: www.facebook.com/NameofYourBusiness. By default, your Google + page looks something like this: https://plus.google.com/100127498544123396374/posts. Not very attractive, is it? Instead, get a custom URL by following these instructions.
2. It’s All About the Details
How many times have you come across an incomplete website or social media profile? It’s extremely frustrating for customers to like your small business or service if they can’t find the information they need. On your Google + page be sure to fill out all the details to get the attention of customers! Have a great description in your introduction, all of your contact details and links to the most important online properties such as blogs and other social media platforms.
3. Promote Your Google Plus Page
This may seem obvious but it is common for small businesses to forget to add a Google+ badge to other online properties. Make sure that you are marketing your profile by placing a Google + button at the bottom of your blog or prominently on your website.
4. Brand Micro-Circles
To get the most out of this social media platform, try to concentrate on creating circles on a micro level. Treat each business on a case-by-case basis and release names into circles that you definitely want to promote your page content to.
One of the greatest advantages of G+ is that it allows you to choose which of your circles see each post, so you can highly target your messages. Use this to your advantage but remember, no one wants to be sold to all the time. Keep your content a good mix of articles, tips & tricks, images, videos, infographics etc. About 20% of your posts should be about your business, sales, promotions, events etc.
You can also add names to “influencer” circles, which will help you connect with people outside of your immediate circles.
5. Google + Hangouts
Connect with your customers through Google+ hangout video chats and make them feel awesome! This is a great marketing tool to get your customers directly involved with your brand. Schedule a hangout with your CEO and customers for a conversation and watch the positive word-of-mouth spread like wild fire. You can also ask your customers opinions in hangouts getting valuable market research for your small business.
How do you use Google+ to market your small business? We’d love to hear about your favorite features!
Special Offer:
Sign up for a complimentary consultation during December and receive an Annual Marketing Planning Guide valued at $475! We offer a 30-minute phone consultation with our CEO, and can answer your questions and discuss your specific marketing needs - no strings attached. Call 408-218-2391 or contact us today to arrange your consultation!