We get asked this question all the time!
We also get asked for photo sizing help on:
- Google+
- YouTube
Well here is
Brought to you by the LunaMetrics blog.
Google+ Pages – Are They For Your Business?
December 10, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Here’s the WHO – WHAT- WHERE – WHY – WHEN and HOW TO when it comes to Google+ Pages for your business.
What is a Google+ Page?
If you’re not already familiar with Google+, it’s a social media platform that allows you to group your “friends” into Circles. Unlike Facebook where all your “friends” are lumped together, Circles let you divide your contacts into Friends, Colleagues, Family, etc. People can be part of more than one of your Circles – it’s up to you. Share things with the appropriate Circle and no need to worry about your boss seeing last weekend’s party!
The basics of Google+ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC_M6PzXS9g
Google+ Pages are for businesses. Your page, profile image and recent posts are eligible to show up on the right-hand side of a relevant Google search. People can follow your Google+ Pages. Relevant posts can also show up within search results for your pages’ followers.
Why should you be on Google+ Pages?
One of the most basic reasons is Google+ integrates with all other Google services like Search, Google Places, Google Maps etc. By creating and maintaining a Google+ Page you will likely see an SEO boost. If your business is more a “brick and mortar” type with a Google Places page, having a Google+ Page will help add valuable information to your Places page.
Where will your Google+ Page show up?
Besides the already mentioned relevant Google searches, when you connect your website to your Google+ Page searches for your site can display links to any recent Google+ posts.
Who is on Google+?
According to Circle Count, a company that tracks Google+ activity worldwide, the United States, India and Brazil have the most users and those users are typically students, developers, engineers, designers and photographers. But more important is the fact that anyone who is logged into Google (eg. Gmail, YouTube) will have their search results personalized and if they or any of their Circle friends have shared your Google+ page your site would be at an advantage for outranking your competition!
When was Google+ Pages launched?
November 7, 2011. Time to join the Circle!
How to create your Google+ Page.
First you need to have a Google account. If you don’t follow this link:
https://accounts.google.com/NewAccount
Next create a Google+ Page (https://plus.google.com/pages/create). Add your company name and images to customize your page. Then, tell visitors more about your company by completing the “About” section. Be sure to including your website and a detailed description. This can help customers find you across Google.
Don’t forget:
- link your Google+ Page on your website
- encourage people to share your Google+ content
- let people see recommendations from friends and colleagues
Visit our Google + Page and add us to your circle!
What Can Social Media Do For Your Business?
November 2, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Have you thought of using social media marketing to:
- generate more exposure for your business?
- increase traffic to your website?
- provide valuable marketplace insights?
A recent survey conducted by Social Media Examiner looked at these and other aspects of social media marketing. [Read the full report]
Benefits
What do you consider the most important benefits of social media marketing?
This survey found that increased exposure and increased traffic ranked #1(85%) and #2(69%) respectively.
The next most significant benefits:
- provided marketplace insights (58%)
- generated leads (58%)
- improved search rankings (55%)
- grew business partnerships (51%)
- reduced marketing expenses (46%)
- improved sales (40%)
Time commitment
How much time should you devote to social media marketing?
This survey found that 59% of respondents are spending 6 hours or more weekly. The largest single group, representing 37.7%, spend 1 – 5 hours weekly.
Time commitment in relation to company size showed businesses with 2 – 10 employees typically spend 1 – 5 hours weekly. The same was true for the solo-owner businesses.
Social Media Tools
Is one social media tool more popular than another?
This survey found Facebook and Twitter continued to lead the pack as the favored social media tools (92% and 82% respectively). Even when years of experience with social media were factored in, these two still outweighed the others.
How the other social media tools ranked:
- LinkedIn (73%)
- Blogs (61%)
- YouTube or other video (57%)
- Google+ (40%)
- Photo sharing sites (21%)
- Forums (19%)
- Social bookmarking/news sites (16%)
- Daily deals (6%)
Social Media Strategy
Do you have one?
The respondents to this survey most wanted to know:
- How to measure the effectiveness of social media marketing
- How to find their target audience with social media
- How to best engage their audience with social media
- How to best maximize their social media results
- How to create a social media strategy
- What are the most effective social media tactics
- What are the best social media management tools
- How to use the different social media platforms
- How to select the right social media platform for their business
