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How do you incorporate Google Plus in your blogging strategy – Jim Says

by JimRaffel on July 13, 2011

image of jumping in

I decided to jump in the Google Plus (G+) waters fairly early. Based upon Google’s two recent failures in the social space, Buzz and Wave, this was a relatively risky use of my time to learn and grow with the service through its beta and limited invitation period. It’s been a good decision as I don’t see G+ going away anytime soon. As a matter of fact, I see it doing nothing but growing over the next 12 months.

Google Plus and Blogging

As a blogger, I use existing tools like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn in two primary ways. First, I share my new posts so those who have chosen to follow me know when it’s time to head over to the blog for new content. Second, I engage in conversations about both my content and that of others. So, I utilize the social media networks for promotion and audience curation when I’m wearing my blogger hat.

I’m using G+ in exactly the same way. Right now, it’s actually my best performing social network. While I believe that will remain the case in the long run, I think there will be some downs before the permanent uptick. See, right now G+ population is heavily skewed to include social media savvy folks. As we pass the 10 million user mark (I heard that happened today), that’s going to start changing.

Until the audience composition changes here are the G+ advantages I see: Lots of meaningful engagement with the 100+ people I’ve already connected with. Because the G+ population is by and large socially savvy, I ask questions about social media topics and get answers that help me improve and get closer to “doing it right.” These folks also like to share and are loving trying out the new +1 button in G+.

Sure every blogger would love all the engagement about their blog posts to appear in the comments that follow the post. However, reality is that your readers are going to comment where it’s easiest and most convenient for them to comment. That means you need to be willing to spend time where your customers (readers) spend time. It’s either that or lose on engagement with your most loyal readers, who are the ones that help grow your audience most.

The Argument for Google Plus Now

Back in 1995-96, shortly after the release of Windows95, we had to make a decision at then startup ColorMetrix. We had to decide if we would develop our first product in Windows 3.11 or Windows95. You’d think the obvious answer would be Windows95, but remember that at the time corporate America had yet to take Windows95 seriously. We decided the future was in Windows95 and took a leap of faith. Because of that decision to be an early mover, we can still sell you a version of ColorMetrix that closely resembles and is a cousin of that software developed 16 years ago.

We stand today at a similar crossroads. I feel the tides of social media shifting. Google is not going to lay another rotten egg (remember Wave and Buzz). Instead this time it’s going to be a golden egg. I see a strategy emerging that integrates G+ with all things Google, including the Android operating system. Imagine every Android phone being delivered fully G+ enabled.

Social media is changing. All the hype around G+ is not just Buzz, it’s a Wave you want to catch.

Make sure to read Shelby Sapusek’s take as well – How do you incorporate Google Plus in your blogging strategy – Shelby Says

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Shelby’s social media strategy: I swear I don’t swear

by Shelby Sapusek on March 10, 2011

image of social media strategyJim and I agree on most things concerning the social media space, but that doesn’t mean we agree on everything.

Like most people, I enjoy the occasional off-color joke in a tweet, blog or Facebook status. I completely agree that while social media is a valuable tool in the business world, we don’t always have to be so serious. Participating in social media networks allows us to interact with people and be ourselves. Our personalities aren’t tied to our stagnant, properly-written resumes and cover letters in the social media world.

However, I’m not naive enough to think that the words I put out there on social media aren’t in the public domain and can’t be read by any Tom, Dick or Harry. I’m also fully aware that potential employers and clients use social media networks to do background checks. Therefore, I am very cognizant about what I put out there.

On the flip side, I actually disagree with employers who enforce strict social media policies on their employees. I don’t think your boss should force you to “friend” him on Facebook so he can monitor your activity. I don’t think every tweet you send out has to be business-related.

Employers who enforce rules like these are missing out on the point of social media: Be social and interact with people. They are also causing their employees to miss out on opportunities by forbidding them to actually interact with the people in that space.

When someone follows me on Twitter, the first thing I do is look at the top 20 tweets on their timeline. If those 20 tweets don’t include some kind of interaction with others (no @name replies), I don’t follow back. To me, this is very simple: I’m on Twitter to share information and interact with people. I don’t have time to watch people talk to themselves through self-promotion.

But, wait. Let’s back up.

Am I saying people should be careful about what they say when using social media but employers shouldn’t enforce rules to ensure that happens? Yes, that’s exactly right. In fact, I found an article about the New York Times’ “hands-off” Twitter policy that proves the point; and it’s working for them.

The way I see it is that if employers trust their employees enough to represent their companies in the social space, then they should also trust them to do that with their own personal social media strategy. I believe personality is important in participating in social media and all people have different personalities. Let those different personalities of your employees shine through and you’re going to see results.

Over the years, I’ve developed my own personal social media strategy. Here are my five rules:

1. Respect your employer. You do represent your company and some things are best left unsaid. Remember that some things are also confidential. Oh, and don’t forget: talking trash about your boss or co-workers isn’t going to win you brownie points with your company either.

2. Respect yourself. There are just some things that are private and personal and other people don’t need to hear about them.

3. Be positive. Everyone has bad days, but I try very hard to stay positive in the social media space. If I can’t be positive, I go dark. It’s as simple as that.

4. Interact and share information. If you click on my personal Twitter timeline, you will find thousands of tweets that start with @name replies. I show interest in other people’s lives and work and share information when I can. There’s nothing wrong with a little self-promotion. If I write a new blog, I put it out there. However, more often that not, I’m interacting.

5. I don’t swear. Again, anyone can read your tweets, blogs and Facebook statuses. Aside from that, some of the funniest stand-up comedians I’ve seen are ones that don’t swear. I’m not saying I’m a comedian, but I can be funny and entertaining without the swear words. It’s also more challenging to come up with good material. Give it a try.

This is what works for me. I know Jim has a different personal social media strategy and I’m sure he’ll share it soon. In fact, I challenge him to do just that. Do you have a personal strategy in regard to social media? I’d love to hear about it!

 

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How Facebook broke down online barriers

January 31, 2011

Recently, I was interviewed by Matt Mansfield for his blog post The Elephant in the Cloud – How Safe is Your Data?. During that conversation I made the comment that I feel Software as a Service (SaaS) is easier to sell today because of Facebook. Millions of folks, well a half-billion of you at last [...]

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Linkedin tip – add a profile picture

December 21, 2010

This tip applies to all your social profiles but I was once again reminded how much you can stand out on Linkedin with a good profile picture. The image below is what I saw earlier today while working on adding connections. Only three of the ten profiles I was presented with had profile pictures. Of [...]

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My business changed me

September 22, 2010

In January of 2009 I visited my friend Rick Littrell in the Boston area. We talked printing, social media, variable data, personal URL’s and all sorts of other fun stuff recovering printers in the social space talk about. World Changer. Over lunch at a cool, small town New England pub, we agreed that social media [...]

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Wisconsin Publishers’ Production Club

September 15, 2010

On September 21st I have the distinct pleasure of moderating the Social Networking Strategies meeting for the Wisconsin Publishers’ Production Club (WPPC). The meeting will be held at the Country Springs Hotel in Pewaukee, and I would love to see as many of my Southeastern Wisconsin printing and social media friends as possible. This year [...]

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Keep putting yourself out there

September 4, 2010

You don’t know who’s watching or when. So….. Keep posting on your blog. Keep updating your Facebook status. Keep engaging on Twitter. Keep working to understand Linkedin. That’s my social media “plan” in four easy steps. Over the last year the size and quality of the network these four activities have allowed me to grow [...]

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Asking Twitter vs Googling for it

September 3, 2010

Recently I asked this question of my social media network “Do you sometimes “ask Twitter” instead of “Googling for what you are looking for?” Yes, I see both the irony and the lack of scientific method in asking this question of the people who follow me on Twitter. Regardless the responses are rather telling. Let’s [...]

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Where Can Social Media Take You?

August 26, 2010

I recently read @Julz156′s Amazing things happen on the way to change and was reminded of the amazing journey that social media and community can be. Access to almost anyone and the ability to go almost anywhere are instantaneously yours. Just remember that relationships still take time and that trusting relationships are not built overnight. The [...]

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Do your activities feed each other?

August 21, 2010

Here’s how the activities I engage in each day intertwine and work together to fuel current and future success. Reading fills my conscious and subconscious mind with the fuel that inspires my writing and also provides good content to share on Twitter. Writing solidifies my ideas into plans and “how-to” guides, that even I refer [...]

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