This document discusses Google+ and provides tips for setting up and optimizing business pages on the social media platform. It notes that Google controls much of internet search traffic and incorporates Google+ into search results. The history of Google+ is summarized, including its launch in 2011 and rapid growth. Instructions are provided for setting up business pages. Features like Hangouts, Circles, and the +1 button are overviewed. The document concludes with suggestions for sharing content, encouraging engagement, and analyzing results.

1. Google +
By Samantha Collier

2. Do I really need to open another Social Media
Account…

3. What’s the big deal?

4. • Google controls 80%
of search traffic
• Google incorporates
their +1 buttons in
their search results
and also determine
search results based
on Google + usage
It’s all about the SEARCH!!

5. Accumulated over 40
Launched Business Pages
Launched in June 2011 million users in 2 months
in November 2011
(1/3 of LinkedIn)
History

6. • Choose an accessible Gmail account that is available to
multiple people (not personal)
• Create page with desired account by visiting
http://plus.google.com/pages/create
• Pick appropriate business category
• Add tagline, logo (keep it short)
• Google will prompt you to promote your page but you must
optimize your profile first by: regularly sharing fresh
content, respond to your fans, etc.
How to set up an account

7. • Similar to Video Conferences
• Features include: screensharing,
• Up to 10 participants
• Whomever is talking gets showcased in the conference
call while the others are shown in a row along the bottom
of the screen
Hangouts

8. • You can set up pages for your business similar to
Facebook pages
• A great way to get your brand in front of general Google
searchers
• Similar to personal profiles except you can’t put people in
your Google Page circles until they first connect with
your business page.
Pages

9. • Use Circles to Segment Your Messages
• Google+ built on idea that different groups of people prefer different
content.
• People can belong to more than one circle.
• Start your circles early on: lawyers, marketers, clients, leads, etc.
• Consider starting a topic circle. Post it and ask if others want to join.
• When you add someone to a circle you can mutually share, chat with
them (if they add you too), and they’ll appear on your public profile
• They will know you added them but can’t see the name of your circle
Circles

10. • These buttons appear in search results and can be embedded on
other sites as well (blog, website, etc.)
• The +1 count that is displayed on each button is based on the
address of the page where it sits. This is important as it may
influence how you design your website.
• Websites using Google’s +1 button get 3.5x the Google+
visits
• To get the best results you must add sharing buttons to
your sites – very important!
• A powerful feature is you can see that certain results are
extremely popular in search and this will influence click-
throughs
The +1 button

11. How to Optimize your
Profile

12. • Share lots of photos. Think about your business visually.
Which images can you share to ignite conversations?
Google+ is built for this.
Pictures

13. • Under the About tab of your Google+ Page, you can add
recommended links. Add links to articles, blog posts,
your new book… 
Add Recommended Links

14. • To gain value with Google +, you must build your
community with your content. In order to get people to
add your Google+ page you must promote it in places
where you are already getting traffic. Think cross-
promotion!
Promote your Google + on
your blog / website

15. • Sharing is caring. When you post a message or photo ask
your connections to share your content.
Encourage people to
share your posts

16. • Is Google+ working for your business? You’ll have to
check your Analytics for referral sources of traffic.
Analyize

17. Remember that even thought Google+ has a
low membership compared to Facebook, it’s
still young - it has a HUGE tie to
influencing search results.
Final Thoughts

18. Samantha Collier supports lawyers, law firms and legal industry
consultants in their social media marketing efforts. Her blog, Social
Media for Law Firms, was a finalist for the 2010 Canadian Law Blog
Awards in the Practice Management Section and she was recently
recognized as one of the "The 24: Canada's Top Legal Social Media
Influencers" fromThe Counsel Network.
Questions?
Samanthataracollier@gmail.com