Google+ is a social network with around 400 million users.  It has only been around for a little over a year and half, but it has become one of the top ten social networks in the world in its apparent quest to best Facebook.  Instead of simply lumping all your connections together as “Friends” like Facebook does, Google+ asks you to categorize the people you associate with in “circles” – much like you do in real life.  For example you can define the connections you have with each person as friends, acquaintances, colleagues, family, or any other way you relate to the people you follow on Google+.  This allows you to let people see certain posts or send messages out to a specific circle of people.  It also has a Twitter-style feed that allows you to follow certain groups or individuals with trending information for things like news, fashion, technology, entertainment and the like.  Below is a screenshot from the Google+ page of one of my favorite TV shows, The Walking Dead. From here, I can check out people’s posts and opinions or see photos and videos put up by the show.

Google+ has also gotten a lot of business praise for one of its features known as “Hangouts”.  Kevin Lau (Manager for Google TV)   “One of Google+’s best features is Hangouts which enable you to host a video chat with one or more people that you have in your Circles.

Some reasons to use Google+ from a business perspective:

• Network with Influencers – determine who are key influencers in your line of business and build your circles.
• Get feedback fast – get feedback from customers or even people in your organization or team.  Clientele that are using Hangouts will be able to give you critique (good or bad) in a real-time efficient manner.  Just don’t let it take up all your time….
• Add more people to your Circles by category - this may make a more efficient way for you to keep track of your clients or potential clients or just companies/people you want on your radar.
• For employees – efficient meetings and training – Use the Skype-like Hangout function to hold meetings if your employees are nationwide or out of the office.  Training seminars could be held via circles etc.  Be creative.

If you’ve always thought that social media isn’t the right place for your business, you may want to watch this video case study on Best Made Company, an American axe manufacturer and outdoors tool company:

All you need to be involved in social is a story to tell. If your business is made of people, you’ve got a story.  Google+ and other social networks can help you tell it.

If you have any further questions about Google+ please send me an email at bob@cleriti.com.