Why I'm Digging Google+

I am not a huge fan of social media. It's something I do because I should, but Google+ is changing my mind. I started one several months ago and have ended up checking it and interacting with it almost every day. G+ has some features that make it a lot easier to use and more intuitive for me, plus I can customize it in ways that you just can't with other social networks. Here's what I'm really loving about G+ and why I willingly use it for more than just business.

8 Reasons Why Google+ is Awesome

• Communities

• You can use the search function to search anything you like, including communities. Communities are a great way to follow interests and find people who share them in a way I can understand. I'm looking at you Facebook.

• Circles

• I can create as many circles as I want, which helps to keep track of my contacts. Plus, when you want to post something that's only relevant to one group, you can choose to only share it with them. Makes it a lot easier not to spam people with content they don't want to see.

• Fave, Share, Comment

• Now you can interact with posts and share them easily. You can choose to +1 something, actually comment on it, or share it. When you share, you have the option of adding your own comment and you can post to your page, select circles or even repost to one of your communities.

• Track activity on your posts

• This is especially useful for businesses, you can easily see who is interacting with your posts. Plus the share options make it easier than ever to interact with them.

• Easily use several accounts or pages

• I have multiple accounts - personal and business - and all it takes to switch account is to click your top right icon and pick the account you want to deal with. No signing in and out, just one click. It makes it really easy to get everything done in one go.

• Intuitive page design

• I find everything on G+ really easy to read and see. It looked a little like the new Facebook layout to start, but I find the way the page is laid out easy to interact with, plus it populates very quickly. 

• Alerts at the top for activity

• Like any other Google feature, all you have to do is click the bell icon and it shows you immediately everyone who has added you to a circle, interacted with your posts, or messaged you. No fishing for information.

• You can still use hashtags, but in a useful way

• Unlike Twitter, where is still don't really get hashtags, you can use them on G+ in a way that not only makes sense but also allows you to easily see what's going on. For example, I just participated in a Thursday link round-up meant to get to know other bloggers by using #growingcircleshop. When you click the hashtag, you can see everyone's post in a simple layout so that you can interact with everyone that's used that hashtag. Twitter's hashtag list is just plain weird and I hate interacting with it. 

Last year, I heard a lot of talk about how Google+ was doomed to fail and that no one was going to use it. Now, I actually think it's going to be a major contender - not just because Google is pushing it, but because they're making it so easy to use across multiple platforms. They're making it so easy it's going to be hard not to use it soon. My advice is to set up your account now and start enjoying the benefits. Add me to one of your circles so we can connect. Now get going!

Using Eventbrite for Professional Development

Sometimes it's the light bulb moments that make you think you're a rock-star that really just let you know how dumb you normally are. We get so stuck in our routines that it's hard to see past the self-imposed rules we've created around a ritual. Especially for those tools you use at work, it's easy to see why many people can't translate that into using them at home for themselves.

Take Eventbrite. This is an online tool that almost any event planner has used at one time or another. Once you create an account, you are just a couple steps away from planning the arrangement, selecting the number of tickets, and tracking sign-ups all in the same space. Plus, if your event is free, then so is the service. It's a great way to streamline your process.

I'm so used to being on the back end and arranging events that I couldn't see the focus of why this was a good tool. The way many people use it is this: once your event is planned, e-mail this link to your database and use that as your event hub central. Do you know what Eventbrite thinks it's selling point is? "If it's happening out there you'll find it here. Browse 1000s of events. Or create your own events and sell tickets right here." Yep. First and foremost, it is a tool to find cultural and professional activities wherever you go.

Instead of immediately logging in to create an event, all I had to do was spend 5 seconds on the front page and read the tagline. "Hey, self! Let's browse my area!" I found library events, books signings, networking events, women's groups, and training courses - more than I would have imagined - all in my area. All of them had instructions on who was allowed to sign up, if the event was free, addresses, and contact information if you needed to ask further questions. Not sure if you can join in? Just ask.

For all the times I have looked for trainings in my area, I never thought to go to the most obvious place. Funny thing is, neither did anyone else I asked. Sometimes you just have to open your eyes in a new light. What else have you been using that can benefit you if you use it in a different way?

Pump Up Your Cross-Media Strategies Conference Recap

I had the pleasure of attending a conference recently about ways to increase your marketing capabilities using new and existing tools, as well as some great business advice in general. Conferences don't always hit the mark, but I love attending since there is always something to learn. This one in particular was worth-while though. I wanted to post a bit of a recap because I think our presenters really nailed it and it's a way for me to reference them in the future. 

Photo Source

Dave Yunghans, Constant Contact

Dave was our opening presenter. I'd met other business people who were impressed with his knowledge and personality, and now I can see why. Dave is incredibly personable. The largest takeaway was that over 90% of all the billions of e-mails that people send out through Constant Contact a day are done wrong. I've said before that people are buying more than ever but none of us want to be sold. However, that's exactly what most businesses are doing. If every e-mail you send it a pitch, no one will read them. 

Dave's number one piece of advice is that these communications are the start of a conversation. The way to open up that line of communication is to present free, relevant information. Once you become the expert on something, people will remember and come back. Once they're in a position to need your services, then they already know you and bam! 

Donna Serdula, LinkedIn-Makeover

Two years ago, I started a Linked-In page at the suggestion of someone I met at a networking event. I knew I would be looking for a job after my internship and thought it would be a good idea. Fast forward a year later and I am on Linked-In usually once a week. My profile is has been at "all-star" status for a long time. I found that Linked-In was a great way to keep in contact with fellow professionals and clients. 

Despite the fact that I have learned a lot of tricks along the way, Donna's advice could help anyone. Things like you profile is not your resume is a big one to remember. She also encourages having a professional headshot and engaging tagline, as well as gives advice on how to use your connections to gain clients or business. Her website also has more great tips to help you build your best profile and make it work for you. 

Bob Kanoff, Mobile QR Solutions

Mobile websites are something that I am aware of, but very disconnected from. Since I still have an ancient flip-phone, I tend to not pay attention to such things. However, it seems like everyone has a smart phone now that is capable of so much more than making calls. Mobile sites are quickly becoming necessary since most people will immediately navigate away from your business page if it is too hard to read on their screen. 

If you run a business, this can kill you - especially if you are losing sales because they can't or won't buy from their phone. The more prominent this issue is, the easier it's becoming to fix it. There are a million websites out there now that help you see what your customers are seeing and free or low-cost ways to reel them back in with a new look. In addition, many companies can assist you with a fully integrated mobile design.

Thanh Nguyen, The Standard Group

Hey smartphone users, ready for another one? QR Codes. I've just become aware of what these things really are in the last year, but I'm starting to see that the possibilities are endless. QR codes are not just limited to the simple box format I'm used to seeing. Since most apps can read the codes even with some interference, that means that you can use different shapes, colors, or even put your own logo into it. Not to mention that there are new ways to track scans and help lead people to the actual content you want them to see. The key with QR codes though is to give people something special. If you place your code next to your website, don't direct your QR code to the website main page. There would be no purpose. Instead, direct them deeper into your content, get them a free download, or lead them to a video. Keep people engaged and they will come back. 

Dean Frey, The LIFE Company

It's so easy to get caught up in life and only view the world in one way. I think it's part of human nature, especially when learning can be seen as unpleasant, that you want to keep your head down and plow through. However, you can miss some of the best things in life. Balance is a huge part of maintaining your life and motivation long-term. In addition, retraining ourselves to look at all things as connected can teach us things we would have never known to look for. 


This conference was organized by Chuck and Alice at KeyConnections4Me. I've been to several of their seminars and have always walked away with great new information. If you are in their region, go check them out. You won't be sorry.

Winks to Grow On 4-3-13

Winks are Wednesday link round-ups for relevant reading to get you over your mid-week slump. Check out the links below for some great reading about improving yourself and your business.

• Top 3 tips for networking at events - Liz Lynch (above)
• 101 Useful Things You Can Do in 15 Minutes or Less
• 12 Smart Ways to Cut Your Tax Bill
• When Social Media at Work Don't Create Productivity-Killing Distractions
• Take Charge of Your Professional Development

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Sell Yourself: The 30 Second Commercial

If the average attention span is 8 seconds and you're halfway through the novel of who you are and what kind of business you run, you've already lost a sale.

Learn the art of the 30 Second Commercial at the new home of this article on The No-Pants CEO.