Category Archives: Google+
Google+ For Business: Why You MUST Take It Serious [Infographic]
It is not secret that I believe that Google+ is pretty awesome. I also think that it could seriously ROCK for business, because after all it’s a Google product so why wouldn’t it. If we just think about the movement that Google has made in pushing this platform we have to acknowledged that it will in fact be a force to be reckoned with soon.
I think the biggest issue with Google+ is that there are so many tech focused people on there and they can sometimes come across as a bit obnoxious and overbearing. At least this is some of the opinions that I have gained from traditional and recreational users. Google+ got it’s initial following from the very tech focused with its beta release and it has yet to see an influx of recreational users. I believe this is primarily due to the snooty air that people have gained from its current users. I personally have NOT experienced this but I have heard this by so many users that I can not dismiss it.
As business owners, lets disregard the snooty peeps and tackle this platform! REALLY! The first thing that must be done is NOT to view it as a Facebook replacement, it’s really NOT! It is, however a strong push toward Social Search and this is beyond HUGE for business. So even if we opt not to place a strong focus on this platform, we should develop a bit of a presence there and most importantly, we MUST add the option for readers to +1 our content.
Take a look at the infographic below to give you a few additional reasons to use Google+
Source: chrisbrogan.com via Anise on Pinterest
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What You NEED To Know About The HISTORY OF The Google Algorithm [Infographic]
Google is pretty awesome, we all know it! One of the reasons that they are so awesome is the vast amount of improvements and changes that they undergo on a regular basis. Although lots of changes are looked at as a positive thing some meet more dialogue than others and that it changes to the the infamous Google Algorithm. This is primarily because of the importance of websites to a persons business and any change to the algorithm can result in huge changes to website traffic. Take a look at the Infographic below to see the entire history of the Google Algorithm Change.
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#Google Panda, Everything You EVER Wanted To Know [Infographic]
I have been talking about Google and their move to Social Search with their push of Google+. A huge part of their strategy involves Google Panda, so take a look at the Infographic below so you gain a better understanding of the Google Strategy.
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Man Up! #Google+ And #SocialSearch IS HAPPENING..So Sink or Swim
Everyone is Blah..blah…blah-ing about Google+, the push toward Social Search and what it will mean to them. Well, guess what? It’s about to happen so stop complaining and get ready. Yeah, Facebook and Twitter are both crying. Boo-hoo for them, they have been dominating Social Media for quite a while. Seriously did either of those companies think that Google + would NOT have an answer for their domination? It is Google after all, and that is exactly why Google rocks and why they command so much respect. Facebook & Twitter, do you want some CHEESE with that Whine?
In the meantime people, it’s time to prep and stop blah..blah..blahing about another platform. Get over it and prep your business, prep your clients businesses and change your state of mind. You are tech savvy or your would be somewhere making a cold call from your landline phone NOT on social media bitching about working with another platform.
Man up, get on Google plus, make your profile, connect with some people, share some great content and make your impact on Social Search. This is a historical time in technology, embrace it, wallow in it and most importantly enjoy it. Use this as an opportunity to be a part of game changing history.
Nothing else.
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#Google+ is #SocialSearch, do you LIKE The +1 Button? You’d BETTER….
It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Google+ and I believe that it is a serious game changer. Although there are many that would argue that Google+ is just for a bunch of social media folks that are puffed up on their own importance. Not my words. Personally, I don’t see it that way, I do however see it as another platform to engage with a different demographic of people.
All social media platforms have different demographics of followers and Google+ is no different. I think that it is somewhat misunderstood because the platform opened and a lot of the early adopter social media people were the first to arrive. Well that is what social media & Internet Marketing focused people do, especially early adopters. Well due to the influx of early adopters I believe Google+ has recieve a bit of a bad rap for being the snooty, social elitist platform.
Even if there is a view that this platform is for the social media elite, if you are in business why would you not want to tap that demographic? Also most importantly demographics of any platform are constantly growing and changing with technology. As a business person it is wise NOT to rule out any avenue of business and engagement.
Since we now know that Google+ is really about to put a spin on the game of social media and search, wouldn’t it be an opportune time to tap that additional demographic, expand our horizons and go ahead and hit that +1 more. Better yet, live dangerously and hit it a few times, then throw caution to the wind and add it to your WordPress site.
No need to fight the power :-) on this one Google+ is about to rock your technological world, it’s best to be prepared. So I advise learning to LIKE the +1.
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#Facebook And #Google Plus It’s NOT Either OR, Do BOTH!
I am a proud lover of all thing Google, so Google+ is no exception because they are always on their A Game. It is also very exciting to see that they’ve finally reach the goal of getting a Social Media platform right, finally. Kudos to Google because they continue to rock. I believe that Google+ will be no different than the other platforms that they have excelled at over the past few years.
There has been so much bru-ha-ha about Google + as a platform since its release and even more now with the huge Google move toward Social Search. The people with negative views of Google+ are mostly users that are recreational social media users that use social media primarily for entertainment. Most of the people that are huge Google+ fans are people that use the platform for business purposes as they see the value beyond just the recreational use.
Although most people that use social media for business purposes are Pro Google+ there have been quite a few that are really NOT warm and fuzzy about the platform. This is just something that I do not understand. These users are somehow under the misconception that they should chose between Google+ and Facebook? Again, something I do not understand. Why chose?
If nothing else we should all, as business owners be willing to explore Google+ if only to tap another demographic in which to expose our businesses and services. This is of course in efforts to gain more business, increase sales, make more cha-ching. So why chose, go with both platforms. Whatever happened to the saying there’s no such thing as bad publicity? Therefore, look at venturing into Google+ as an additional area in which to extend brand recognition.
Ok, have at it….
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#Google+ Just WENT #SocialSearch: You’d Better Reach OUT and Grasp This Platform
I have been speaking of the newness of Social Media as we know it now, all of the Social Media Channels that we should be using and how we should be rocking our blogs . These are definitely channels that all business owner should have been using for a while and that we should be comfortable with by now. However we all do know that its not the case because there are still many companies that have not reached out to grasp this new and exiting age of social media. You all know the companies that I speak of, the ones that are still heavily depended on their fax machines, the companies that are still using AOL and that have absolutely no social media presence .
Not all companies have been totally lax in their grasp of technologies, some are a bit more up to speed on things. There are plenty of companies that have been utilizing SEO strategies and doing quite well. Well now here comes the kicker, companies that are using SEO exlusively and companies that are not using social media or SEO at all, are about to have the rug pulled out from under them in the form of Google+
I know there is a huge back and forth about Google+ and its importance, blah, blah, blah..Google just changed the game for Internet Marketing, SEO and Social Media with the integration of Social Media by way of Google+ into search. This is a game changer for those that are social media savvy, heavily involved with technology and SEO masters. So those that are not, are beyond being behind the eight ball. The introduction of Social Search by way of Google+ has turned the Digital Divide into a Grand Canyon sized Chasm. I predicted this last year with the introduction of Google+, in my post Google+ IS Social Search.
The Game has changed, so I’d advise grabbing your thinking caps and putting them on folks. There is an even steeper curve to climb now, some will conquer it and some will be collateral damage. Either way, please know that the Game has Changed.
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2012: How New Media Works, THE 12 Social Media Platforms Explained
I was having a discussion with Michael Q Todd about Social Media and platforms that are really rocking. It was a very informal, laid back but very informative discussion but these 12 platforms that have been rockin’ for me. After working to get my social media strategy where I want it, this is what i’ve come up with.
12 Platforms you should check out for 2012:
There are a lot of people that have issues with Facebook for whatever reason. STOP TRIPPIN’ people! Yeah I said it. Facebook, love it or hate it but they have around 800 million users and they are still growing. This is HUGE for your ability to build your brand. It’s not really about love or hate, frankly it’s about business, brand exposure and Cha-ching!
Facebook has now created an option to Subscribe. This is HUGE for people that use their personal Facebook page for networking, like me. This allows people that follow you on other channels to follow you on your Facebook personal page without becoming your friend. Remember if you opt to allow people to subscribe to your updates, remember to provide some information that would appeal to them and use the public option to post.
Facebook is a driving force behind social media and if you are smart you will take advantage of this to propel your brand. The new revamped Facebook Timeline with ability to offer people the opportunity to subscribe to your updates is HUGE for your brand. Add the power of the Facebook Business Page and that makes a power combination.
When you scoff at Facebook, think about which comparable platforms offer you the ability to reach up to 800 million people. So if you have jumped off the Facebook bandwagon, I suggest jumping back on. 800 million people, there’s nothing to think about, just do it.
Twitter
Twitter offers a HUGE opportunity to reach out to an unlimited amount of people, with 140 characters. Things to keep in mind, don’t spam, don’t shove your marketing message and or sales pitch down the throats of your followers. They don’t care what your selling. REALLY. Twitter is about sharing content that is of value to your followers, NOT about you, your message and what you’re selling. The plus is that providing great content and valuable information will put you in a position to be viewed as an authority within your subject area. This will increase your chances of turning followers into potential clients, clients and or people to collaborate with. Twitter is HUGE, use it.
Is the new kid on the block and is really being minimized by many. This is a platform that should be taken serious if nothing more than realizing that Google RAWKS. The Internet would NOT be the same if Google wasn’t a huge player. Google+ is not just a social media platform but a Game changer. Google + will change the Internet as we know it like they did with the introduction of Google and the domination of the Internet since then. Google will take every platform that they own or that they plan to own and add it to Google+ to make it ROCK. BELIEVE IT! Google+ is the Game changer because it is the beginning of Social Search. Grab a Google+ Page for your business as well. Pay attention peeps.
Curation is a huge part of the future of the Internet, primarily because there is an abundance or over abundance of information floating about on the millions of social media channels. People are quite literally overwhelmed by the amount of information that is being chucked at them. Curationallows the curator to compile topics of interest by weeding through the information, finding what’s of relevance to their demographic of followers and supply that information to their followers. This is what Scoop.it is all about and you need to check it out.
Is an extremely social media oriented blogging platform that is easy to share, easy to follow and extremely popular. I use my Tumblr account everyday. Tumblr is great for supplying small segments of information, pictures and quotes to people that are interested in grabbing quick information.
Is one of the most powerful blogging platforms available now. I am a reformed WordPress basher that really didn’t get the big hoopla about WordPress until I used it myself. I was using Posterous as my primary blog platform of choice, they changed their format and IMHO Jumped the Shark. So, I was almost forced to look at the only blogging platform that I hadn’t tried and that was WordPress. I like the functionality of the free platform and I really REALLY love the self hosted WordPress.org option. Since WordPress added the option to subscribe for most of the blogs, they are now the best in my book. I use the Free format for everyday, uncomplicated blogging and the self hosted format for my more involved blogging needs.
Is one of the most underutilized and underused formats in the social media game. Stumbleupon will give some serious juice to your content. I have included it as a sharing option on my blogs, I’ve added it to my Chrome Plugin and I Stumble every blog that I +1 and share. Use it!
Is one of the BEST Twitter management tools that I’ve ever used. I am usually not one for Twitter management tools; However, I really LOVE Commun.it. This platforms helps you to focus on people that are your most engaged members, supporters and influences. That’s huge because it allows you to know who is really in touch with your brand so you can actively engage with them. This is “For The Win” for creating an active and engaged Twitter following. Commun.it also gives you an indication of those that have unfollowed you and those that you should consider unfollowing based on lack of engagement. This is a must in your arsenal for 2012. It is still in Beta and by invite only so if you want, grab INVITES
Is first and foremost a great way to meet some really AMAZING people, not just any people but the Social Media Elite ( my opinion) There are so many people in technology and social media related fields playing this social media stock market game.
What’s good about Empire Avenue is that it numerically rates your social media activity by platform and assigns a dividend (div) amount based on how engaging your content is. The dividend is payed out daily to people that buy your shares, sort of like dividends in real stock market.
You can register as an individual or as a company. After you register, connect your social media channels and watch your share price and divs go up. There is a big drive to buy n00bs, because players have an opportunity to buy shares at a low price.
This game is not for the faint of heart. If you content sucks, your divs will suck and people unload your shares. The good thing is that share price and divs can give you an indication of things in your social media strategy that you may need to work on. What’s more important than the gaming aspect, is that Empire Avenue offers players the opportunity to meet and learn from some of the most amazing, tech savvy people that they will ever meet. Join, then chase down the Facebook Groups, Social Empire, Team Zen, XBar and Eav Winners. Join the groups, learn the game and meet the amazing people behind the game.
I am still learning a lot about Twyla but this is one of the platforms that I will be using more. One of the HUGE things about Twyla that I like is the POWER TWEET. It allows you to create the most powerful tweet ever. Twylah is still in Beta so you have to ask for invites.
Is Image driven Google juice. It is the “New” Hot Social Media Platform, although I hear it’s been around for a while. Either way everyone is jumping on it, primarily because people really love pics and that is the driving force behind Pinterest. It allows you to grab pics from online sources, Flickr, Urls and uploaded images and add to your boards. People can then share those images by repinning them. You can also embed the images, which is really cool. I just started using this and I really like it.
Is the ultimate source of Blog Juice! One of the things about blogging is the ability to get your content out there, shared, Tweeted etc. You can have the greatest blog out in the world with the most wonderful content but if no one reads it, the content is almost irrelevant. Triberr is the key to getting readers for your blog content.
Triberr allows a user to create a Tribe and add members to their tribe. All tribe members can add an RSS of their blog which then gives the tribe members an opportunity to share this content with their Twitter followers. This is huge for brand awareness, blog traffic, subscribers and potentially for meeting clients and collaborators.
When a person is invited to a Tribe they can then create a new Tribe of their own and invite members. Triberr is still in beta so you will need an invite, which are not really spread around like other Beta platforms. This is primarily because to offer an invite to Triberr is inviting that person into your Tribe.
The key to being successful with Triberr is being very selective about who you invite to your Tribe and careful about Tribes that you join. I find that it is best to have similar and or complementary content as the people in your Tribe. Also, make sure any Tribe that you join have members that are willing to share your content with their Twitter followers as you are willing to share with yours. I’ve learned these things the hard way so I am very selective about Tribes that I join. If you join a Tribe that does not meet your expectations there, just bounce. I would, I have and would do so again.
OK, those are my 12 things for 2012. Rock on!
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2012 Beginners Internet Marketing Guide
During the holidays and through out the year I’ve encountered many companies that have amazing products to offer but are totally stuck in a time warp, as in how they really need to be marketing their amazing products and services. A company can have the most amazing, life altering product and or service to offer but if NO ONE knows about these services and products it’s irrelevant.
Technology has surpassed the time when a business could advertise a company in a small local free digest, take orders by telephone at your location or office. As a tech savvy society it is imperative that our companies grow with technology and not continue to hold on to old ways, now matter how comfortable. We have also moved past the times when it was OK, to just have a website. Needless to say, if you don’t even have a website, there is quite a bit of catching up to do.
I know that getting started if you are not on board with technology can seem like a daunting task. So a few steps that you can take to get on board with Internet Marketing in 2012.
- Blog: A blog can be used in instead of a website or it can use do compliment a traditional website. The most amazing thing about a blog is that it is serious GOOGLE JUICE, which means the format of blog can act to get pretty good exposure and increase Google ranking. Blogs, as opposed to websites offer the ability to provide an ongoing flow of new content. That is of course depending on how much you post new content to a blog. The continuous posting of new and fresh content is one of the things that Google Bots search for on any web presence. So if you don’t have a blog, what are you waiting for start blogging. I have have used practically every blogging format available, so I say go straight for the best and that’s WordPress. It is a great format and Google LOVES WordPress. WordPress.com is hosted by WordPress and is really pretty easy to get started. Then there is the full blow content management system of WordPress.org, which would be hosted by you. Take a look at the Tutorial below, it will give you some tips on WordPress. It is a recorded webinar so it is a little long but it will give you everything needed to get started.
- Facebook Personal Page: I started my personal Facebook page as a way to connect with friends and family but it really has become a huge tool for networking. So now I use it 85% for networking 15% for connecting for friends and family. Facebook personal pages are for personal /networking use and there are Facebook Business Pages used to set up your business presence. You need a Facebook personal page before you can set up a page for your business.
- Facebook Business Page: Is a HUGE part of any Internet Marketing Strategy. A Facebook Business Page is a GREAT compliment to your Blog. The page allows you an avenue to share your blog posts and additional information with people that follow your page. Also, people tend to search out Facebook Business pages sometimes in lieu of a traditional website, to find out more information about your company. So by NOT having a Facebook Business Page for your company you could potentially miss out on an opportunity to share information about your companies products and services. So if you don’t have a Facebook Business Page its very important to your company to capitalize on this FREE platform to promote your company. Remember, potential customers could be searching for your company on Facebook, so you want to make sure they are able to find you! So Create your Facebook Page today!
- Twitter: Is an often overlooked resource in creating a new social media strategy. Twitter is a great way to gain company exposure, increase brand awareness and potentially sales leads for your company. You can also share blog posts by way of Twitter. Keep in mind that Twitter is NOT an avenue to shove your message at followers but more of an avenue to engage and share information that is of value to your followers. Twitter rocks and you should definitely get started with utilizing this powerful platform .
- Google+ Profile: Is a new social media platform to share content and interact with people. Although it’s still new, the potential is huge as is any Google product or service. As an early adopter of social media platforms I strongly encourage getting acclimated to this platform by setting up a profile.
- Google+ Pages: Pages are also really new but the potential is huge as I’m sure Google has huge plans for this new platform that is gaining popularity. One of the things that is really powerful about Google+ is that it’s a Google product and Google is known to really have exceptional service. Google+ is now starting to integrate posts from personal and pages in search results. So Google+ will have a huge effect on SEO.
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YOUR Marketing Department is Obsolete and You are a Fossil
Marketing as it once was is totally obsolete, which means the way in which you are pushing your message is NOT effective at worse and not as effective as it once was at the very best. Either way it is really time to reevaluate how you are marketing your business. YES I went there!
I know that there are some things that can’t be altered and or changed but there has to be a system wide organizational adaption to New Media Marketing Technologies or your company will indeed go the route of the Steel Mills in Allentown. I am Singing, Living Here in Allentown by Billy Joel.
I would say that Times are-a-changing but we are beyond that now. We have totally transcending what traditional marketing and media once was to where we are now. We are living in a much more social world, and honestly I can’t see it moving backward to embrace what once was. So ultimately, no one cares about your marketing chain of command, how you use to market your organization or your pre-packaged message from the “POWERS THAT BE” of your organization. It is quite frankly time to adapt or die.
We are so much beyond traditional marketing that even your companies traditional static web presence has gone the route of tyrannosaurus rex. People, consumers, clients and potential clients want to know what your company is about, they need to hear news, they want to see your pictures, they want to see the company picnic videos ect., NOT the prepackage message that the stodgy old board members worked on creating for the last 8 weeks.
Companies that still don’t have a blog, Twitter presence, Facebook presence, Flickr presence, Google+ Brand Page and YouTube video channel are screwed until thet opt to get with the program. This is primarily because technology is continuing to grow by leaps and bounds. People that are totally engrossed in technology and its advancements still feel like n00bs because things are growing so fast.
We are now in the later stages of Web 2.0 which is social and engaging technological platforms and moving toward Web 3.0 which is Semantic & Immersive Web Technologies, Augmented Reality, 3D and 4D Technologies and more. So it’s really time to catch up and catch up fast. Some of the things that you need to do NOW:
- Create a Corporate Blog: Talk about your company, what you do, your staff and company events. Share your videos and pics in your blog posts. People love pics and videos it allows them to see what your company is about beyond the corporate image.
- Make a Facebook Business Page: Talk to your followers, share information that is of value to them. Share videos, and pics.
- Start a Twitter presence: Share information and engage, DO NOT push your prepackaged message down the throats of your follower.
- Create a YouTube Channel: Create videos about your company, events, charity events and more. Share your videos within your social media channels.
- Create a Google+ Brand Page: Share your blog, events, pics from Flickr, videos from Youtube, talk and engage with your followers. Get to know your peeps, dude.
- Add Flickr to your mix: Take pics of your office, your employees, events, parties and charity events. Share your pics in your blogs and in your social media mix.
Technology growth is not going to stop for you and your company to catch up. The speed in which technology is growing is faster than even the tech focused can keep up with sometimes. It is beyond imperative that you implement some new marketing strategies into your old school marketing mix at the least. At best I say, scrap a huge portion of your lame outdated traditional marketing mix, go Web 3.0 and go with a full speed ahead new marketing technology mix. Some things that you can do add a little new media marketing to your mix:
- Consult with some new fresh blood if you have an old school marketing department
- Add some QR codes to your Print Ads
- Look at Augmented Reality a way to spice up your campaigns
- Add a blog to your static website so you can provide fresh content often
- Add a mobile website & add an automatic redirect for your web/blog . This allows your website/blog visitors to automatically be routed to your mobile site when they are on their mobile device.
- Created QR Code Campaigns and steer them toward your mobile site.
- Optimize all of your Social Media Platforms
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