Currently, one of my favorite social media platforms is Google Plus. I love the visual aspects similar to that of Instagram, the content driven focus with Twitter-like hashtags, and the interactive community similar to that of Facebook (although better because YOU control what you see and don’t see instead of some unseen computer with weird algorithms). I suppose you could say G+ combines the best aspects of these social platforms into one package and tops it with a personal flare that only a mammoth like Google can do.
How Does G+ Improve SEO?
For those who blog, Google (specifically Google search) is a big source or at least a strongly desired source of traffic. In essence, G+ is the social media layer of Google. Thus, sharing posts and interacting on G+ directly impacts the ranking of your blog posts in Google searches. As Jimmie Lanley points out in her post, Sure, You Can Ignore Google Plus! (if you don’t care about search or authority), those you are connected with on G+ directly impacts who will see your posts in search results. So making many friends on G+ is vital for SEO success. Which brings us to the next step–increasing your G+ following.
Sure you want to promote your G+ profile via a G+ follow button or a G+ badge on your website but in order to gain a loyal and interactive following you have got to prepare your profile and optimize your posts to “reel them in” as my fisherman grandpa would have said. That said, here are 5 tips for hooking more followers on G+ for the long haul.
5 G+ Tips for Gaining More Followers
Create a personal design cover. The first large image someone will see when coming to your profile is your cover. Get rid of the default swirls and make it personal. The recommended size is 1080 px by 608 px. Need help in getting started? Create a custom design using Canva. Insert the recommended pixel size and you will be well on your way to creating something personal and eye-catching at the same time.
Build your G+ Profile so that others want to follow you. One for sure way to determine if someone is worth following on G+ is by checking their profile. If the profile section is left blank, then I know right away that person is not worth the follow since they have not taken the time to prepare for interaction. For more tips on making the best use of your personal profile space, check out this G+ Profile Blueprint.
Refine your hover card to gain a more targeted and interactive following. A hover card is the first thing people see about you on G+. You want to make sure it displays information others might want to know about you such as your blog address, descriptive personal key words, and maybe your areas of expertise. To learn more about the hover card and how optimize it for G+ success check out these hover card tips from G+ expert Jimmie Lanley.
Personalize and optimize your G+ posts for engagement. Add hashtags (G+ assigns 3 hashtags to your shares whether you add them or not, so go ahead and include them). Mention others by notifications (adding a “+” before the person’s name much like an “@” before a person’s handle on Twitter). Add a personal description about what you are sharing and possibly a question. This all prepares the post for engagement. For even more ideas, check out the section on engagement in Google Plus: The Power is the People by Brian Jenson.
Share at your optimal time. For most users the best time to share on G+ is between 9 and 11 a.m. (as shared by IBNLive) but what is best for you may not be best for your community. Use the free service Timing+ to determine your personal ideal days and times to post.
According to social media guru Jeff Bullas, there are nearly 3 1/2 million active users on G+ which is second only to Facebook. That’s BIG! With integration like this, it’s no wonder that it’s currently one of the fastest growing social media platforms out there. That said, whether you are a blogger or not, if you are not already on G+, then I encourage you to take a second look. And while you are there, look me up. I’d love to have the follow and hope to chat with you on a more personal level soon via G+. See you there!
Have any other G+ tips you’d like to share?
I make no claims to know it all. I’m learning right along with some of the rest of you so please share away.
Take it to the next level with these resources:
500 Social Media Marketing Tips: Essential Advice, Hints and Strategy for Business: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, and More! by Andrew MacCartney
My Social Media Pinterest Board which includes tips for everything from Instagram to G+ and more.
This post is the 10th of 12 in the 144 Plan to Social Media Smarts. To learn more about the 144 Plan or catch up on a missed post, check out the complete 144 Plan Training Log.
And he said to them, “Follow me and I will make you fishers of people.” (Matthew 4:19)
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