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5 Compelling Reasons to Use Google Plus in Your Social Media Strategy

By
Services for Real Estate Pros with RealSupport Inc.

Recently, Bob Stewart of Active Rain talked about the importance of Google Plus. In fact, Bob said that Google Plus is something you can’t live without! To see if that’s true, we’re sharing the best of Bob’s presentation along with our own insights!
Google Plus is Google’s answer to Facebook. These two web titans are in a battle for online traffic, coming in at number 1 and 2 respectively. Here’s how they stack up in social media:

•    Facebook: 845 million users
•    Google Plus: 100 million users

Google Plus was first released in July 2011. In less than a year, Google Plus has grown to 100 million users! Industry analysts expect Google Plus to continue the explosive growth and reach 400 million users by the end of 2012. Wouldn’t you like to be in front of those eyeballs?

It gets better. Here are 5 Compelling Reasons to Use Google Plus:

1. Google Plus allows you to market your business! “People and Pages” from Google Plus are included in search results, giving you a “bump up” in the ranks. Clients and prospects who use Google Plus have a better chance of finding you!

2. Your Google Plus business page shows up in Google searches – even if the searcher is not using Google Plus! Use keyword strategies in your Google Plus page to boost your SEO!

3. It’s easy to customize social circles on Google Plus! With the drag-and-drop features, you can control the kind of personal content that reaches your friends, family, and clients. Socialize and network with confidence!

4. You can manage your Google Plus account through Gmail. Add and edit social contacts quickly, without a separate login!

5. All Google accounts automatically enroll users into Google Plus. Every new YouTube and Gmail account setup includes a Google Plus account. YouTube has a “Google Plus Hangouts” link in the “share video” tab! With social engagement built into Google accounts, Google Plus use will snowball!

The bottom line: Google Plus distorts search results in favor of your social connections! Can you afford to ignore it?
If you’re still not sure about Google Plus and the power of social media, consider these statistics:

•    60% of Google Plus users log in every day.
•    80% of Google Plus users engage on a weekly basis.
•    Over 50% of Facebook users log in daily.
•    50% of Twitter users log in daily.

Here at RealSupport Inc., we understand how difficult it can be to keep up with the changing trends in social media. That’s why we specialize in it – so you can focus on your clients and core business! Let us help you with a social media strategy that puts your name and your brand out front! Whether you just need a little help getting started, or you need a complete marketing solution, we can help! Contact us today for a free consultation.

Bonita Breit
Blogging and Copywriting Assistant

Bud & Beth McKinney
RE/MAX UNITED - Cary, NC
Cary/Raleigh/Apex NC - The Team That Cares, RE/MAX United

Great explanation! I agree whole heartedly - Google Plus is a huge advantage to us.

May 31, 2012 07:35 AM
RealSupport, Inc.
RealSupport Inc. - Schaumburg, IL
- Virtual Real Estate Marketing

Hi Bud & Beth, thanks so much for the comment! We're glad that you found this blog post so helpful. Google+ may not be as huge as Facebook yet, but in order to make sure you start showing up on those search engines results you have to be on there! We recommend updating 2-3 times per week just to make sure that you're using it and keeping it updated. Other than that, you don't need to devote TOO much energy. As long as you're on Google+ with an optimized profile, you will reap the benefits!

 

Jun 06, 2012 02:41 AM
Sonia Riahi
TourZap - Orléans, ON

We've been trying to break into Google+ but are finding it a bit difficult because of the lack of guides out there. It definitely looks promising as the next popular social media platform - it offers so many things that other platforms don't. Very versatile! And excellent blog post!

Jun 14, 2012 01:02 AM
RealSupport, Inc.
RealSupport Inc. - Schaumburg, IL
- Virtual Real Estate Marketing

Hi Sonia,

Thanks so much for the comment! We're glad that you found our blog post to be so helpful. Google+ can be tricky to get in to, but it really is very user-friendly once you get into it. Here's a great guide on getting your Google+ profiles set up: http://mashable.com/2011/07/16/google-plus-guide/. It gives you some insight into what the platform has to offer and gives a little instruction, as well. It's promising for SEO enhancements and getting yourself higher up in search engine rankings, so it's imperative to create profiles on there.

If you ever have questions, just feel free to ask. We'd be glad to help!

Jun 20, 2012 06:15 AM
Wallace S. Gibson, CPM
Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA
LandlordWhisperer

I've JUST claimed my Google+ Places location and am in the process of establishing my AR blog POSTING routine so that I can better utilitze this FREE business resource

Jun 26, 2012 05:17 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Yes, it does seem like it's helping a bit on search results and I need to +1 more of my posts.  I just wish more people were using it and that I could easily connect w/ the local ones so I come up in their search results.  Interesting that they are auto adding it for new accts.  That's smart...but, it also means the # of true users is overstated as many are just auto enrolled and not really using.

I caught this on Wallace's reblog and just suggested it.  I will prob. reblog later.

Jun 26, 2012 06:00 AM
RealSupport, Inc.
RealSupport Inc. - Schaumburg, IL
- Virtual Real Estate Marketing

HI Wallace, that's great! Both ActiveRain AND Google+ will help you build your online presence, particularly if you post consistently. It's key to making sure you really get the online exposure you need and moving up in search engine rankings. We wish you the best of luck with BOTH endeavors, and feel free to ask us if you have any questions whatsoever!

Debbie, we wish more people would use it too! It would definitely seem like less of a "waste of time" if there were. The SEO benefits, however, are too good to pass up, and there is something to be said for its potential. You bring up a great point about being "auto-added" when you sign up as a new Google user, but I think as an agent it gives you an opportunity to be a "tech expert" to your clients. Many may not know they're automatically signed up as a Google user. If you told them, perhaps more would hop on and add you to their circles. It never hurts to ask! Thanks again for commenting and bringing up such great points!

Jun 27, 2012 06:37 AM