Will Your Agency Need Google+?
As if your business wasn’t already overwhelmed with Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, Google has unveiled its highly anticipated social media platform, Google+. Google+ looks as if it is aiming to challenge Facebook’s gripping authority in the social media market, with many similarities in design and the features that come with it. For instance, Google+ will have personal profiles and will be able to “friend” others, while a like feature called “+1” and a news feed are also part of the package—all Facebook creations.
Google is trying to lure Facebook users away from the social media giant with privacy settings that are said to be more controllable than Facebook’s. Google+ users can set who sees their posts and photos individually. Additionally, users can also create video chat groups, an innovation that is both exciting and interesting. Google+ is trying to put a “Google” spin on Facebook, so expect it be a bit more sophisticated and more geared toward older generations, i.e. college and above.
With all the hype and excitement surrounding Google+, what exactly does this mean for businesses? Is this another social media platform businesses are going to have to adapt to and learn how to use fluidly?
The answer: Yes. And soon.
In terms of sharing information, Google+ is not going to be a free-for-all like how it is on Facebook and Twitter. According to an article from pcworld.com, the targeted sharing options of Google+ will not allow businesses the mass marketing that previous social networks provided. Google+ encourages users to build large networks, but also retain a small, tight-knit circle of close friends. The goal of companies will be to reach in and spread their business and awareness within these tight circles, and hopefully they will spread the information to their larger networks. For example, if your agency forms separate circles that encompass clients and prospects looking for Florida life insurance, auto coverage or a homeowner’s policy, you can then target them specifically with tailored “sharing” and marketing messages.
Right now, Google+ is only available to select users within the industry, so it is not quite available to the world wide public. Because Google+ is brand new and not much is still really known about it, businesses should jump on the first opportunity they get to set up a Google+ account. The demand for account invites is going to be high, so it’s essential that your business reaches for one now.
Social media is changing the way we do business, and it’s our duty to adapt to the changes.
August 01 2011 09:24 pm | Finance