Google Plus…
People either love it or are confused by it. And if they hate it, I’d argue that they don’t understand it…yet.
We’re so convinced about Google Plus that we’ve added it to the agenda of #WBC13 this year, and will be having an expert lead us through its ins and outs, giving us tips, best practices, and sharing all the compelling reasons why you should be using it.
But don’t wait for the conference to jump on board. Here are our top 5 reasons why all wine bloggers should be active on Google Plus:
1. Google Search Engine Ranking.
Sharing your blog posts on facebook may get you lots of views that day from your connections and friends, and that’s great. What that share doesn’t do, however, is end up in a google search – ever. Your profile and public shares of your posts in Google + means that your share could end up in a google search stream – in perpetuity. Google Plus helps your SEO!
3. G+ is all about Passions
We heard Guy Kawasaki once say that each of the major social media platforms can be described using one word that each starts with the letter “P”
Facebook is for People (you know); Twitter is for Perspective (“I’m drinking wine”); LinkedIn is for Pimping (yourself to others); and that Google Plus is for Passions (and connecting with like-minded people who share them).
It was a great analogy, and very true. Google Plus is proving to be a hugely popular platform for people passionate about a very wide assortment of things – most notably technology, photography, travel, and food. While Facebook lends itself to connect people who already know each other (or are associated with each other) Google Plus encourages people who are simply just passionate about the same thing to connect.
3. Grow Your Network Beyond Your Network with Circles, Communities & Hangouts
Google Plus makes it easy to connect with people who share your passions. You can find circles of wine lovers to add to your circles (some of them will circle you back), you can join Communities around wine, and you can join Hangouts about wine! You are not limited to adding people who you know personally; you are encouraged to add people you share common interests with.
We hear this question raised all the time: are wine bloggers the only ones who read wine blogs? Well, perhaps Google Plus is challenging that question by offering you a platform to meet a plethora of wine lovers and potential readers around the globe…
4. Google Authorship
A huge benefit of being a Google Plus member is that you can add authorship to your blog (and even sites you contribute to). This is another SEO benefit for you. Google Authorship connects your Google Plus profile (with bio and photo) to the content you create as an author across the web – in essence verifying you as a credible source. When a post you author comes up in search, it will rank higher when authorship is attached and will even have higher traffic just because there is a photo attached (some claim upwards of 150% more). Add Google Authorship here.
5. Support
If things in Google Plus seem confusing, it is because they sometimes are confusing. The Wine Bloggers Conference team uses Google Hangouts weekly for our meetings, yet every week we don’t seem to be able to start the Hangout properly! That doesn’t mean we abandon the platform. I have sent messages to people on Google Plus asking questions and have answers within 5 minutes. There is a ton of community-driven support in Google Plus making it a very friendly and inviting place to engage in.
So – have we convinced you at all to spend some time on Google Plus? Are you a G+ user already?
If you’re on Google Plus, add the Wine Bloggers Conference to your circles.
If you’re interested in Communities, there are two we suggest:
Wine Bloggers – A group we’re starting with the intention to discuss more blogger-related things (i.e. collaboration, technical questions, events, etc).
Wine Lovers – A mix of enthusiasts, bloggers, and industry people who share all things wine-related.
And if you’re interested in joining a Hangout, let’s have one on Wednesday, February 27th at 1pm PST!! Topic of discussion: Google Plus for Wine Bloggers. RSVP to the Hangout here (must be logged in to Google Plus for link to work!)
Lastly – here is a great and short Get Started guide we have found.