GaGa for Google + - Who to follow + Tips 11/20/12

By
Home Builder with The Flooring Girl

Yes, it's time for the 2nd installment of GaGa for Google +.  In this weekly series, I (and other Active Rainers) are going to provide some weekly tips and a few people to follow on Google +

 

google +It's been great seeing the influx of Rainers to Google +  And, if you haven't joined yet, you should do it Today!   

 

Here's a link to last week's post with some intro tips.

Here's a link to yesterday's post with a simple tip on how to post visuals better


I have to say that I've been learning a lot more of SEO and gotten some wonderful tips from reading articles shared on there as well as the strong knit AR group there.  We are all helping each other learn this platform and improve our SEO.  It's been highly productive and fun at the same time.

 

This week's tips:

 

1. Vary your content.  Definitely include some of your real estate or business posts, but it's also much better if you can vary your content so that your followers stay interested.  If they like your content, they will follow, give it a plus, comment on it, and maybe even share it.  The more interesting it is, the better. Listings are not very interesting...and just posting just about your industry gets boring.  So spice it up.  Post some fun (or funny photos). Share someone else's fun content.  Post some social media articles or articles about how to use Google + better.  Post some fun articles you see on here or elsewhere on the web.  Mix it up.

 

2. Ask some questions.  As I've mentioned before, engagement is key.  Getting more comments on your postst is a good thing.  Sometimes, just asking a question is a good way to start a conversation.  So, ask a thought provoking question that you think others will have an opinion on or you need advice on.  That question could even be about how to use Google + better.

 

3.  Add hashtags for better search results.  Hashtags (using the # sign) help the search engines find your content and enable users to find all posts on that topic.  So you use #realestate or #westchester if you were writing about real estate in Westchester.  I think it's best to use 2-3 and not to clutter things up.  Sometimes, using one or two hashtags within your text works; sometimes it works better to have them at the end of your post.  Do whatever you think will make it easier for someone to read.  

 

4.  Post to public.  I know I mentioned this last time, but it's so important so I'm going to mention it again.  If you post it to public everyone can see it and Google will index it.  If you only post it to your circles, google will not index it.  Only post to your circles or a few people if you really want something to be private.

 

Who to follow:

Each week, I'm going to highlight a few Active Rainers.  While my focus on here will be to connect you w/ some great Active Rainers in a new setting, I'm also going to try to expose you to some others that are "doing things right."


And, for others using Google +, please feel free to reblog this and/or create your own version, as well as leave a link to your profile in the comments.


  • Anita ClarkAnita Clark - Anita was one of my faves before I even got to Google +.  She is having a phenomenal year in real estate, in part because she really knows how to do community posts and leverage the SEO.  She is one smart cookie.  But, she is much more than that...she is so supportive and comments and provides great advice.  She shares some wonderful articles on social media and has a great balance of posts (like what I mentioned above).  She is a good role model to follow.



  • Rich CederbergRich Cederberg I originally met Rich on Active Rain a couple of years ago...and then we reconnected on Google Plus.  Somehow, a few of us crossed paths again abnd interacted, and now he is back here on Active Rain again...funny how these things work.  Anyway, Rich has been wonderful in asking some great questions that have rallied the troops so collectively we can discover and answer some of our burning Google + questions.  He is definitely a good person to know, and you should check out his real estate videos.  He has a great section in his profile.


  • Lori Cain on google +Lori Cain - I've known Lori for a while on Active Rain.  She is one of my early subscribers and really helped me on here as she reblogged a lot of my posts so that others here learned that I even existed.  I finally got to speak to her on the phone a few weeks ago, and in the process, she was asking me about Google + and why it mattered.  Well sure enough, within a couple of days she flung herself head first into Google + and she has done AMAZING in such a short time period.  It's very impressive especially since she was skeptical coming in.


  • eric proulxEric Proulx - Even though Eric has been on Active Rain, I really didn't "meet" him until Google Plus.  He has done a couple of great videos...actually google hang outs, so you take a look at those.  Eric is quite a character...in a good way.  His expressions and phrases are so cute..they make me laugh.  He is also a good role model to watch for someone who posts in a variety of categories.  I'm looking forward to his next hangout so he can share more tips.


  • Ronnie BincerRonnie Bincer Ronnie is an expert on video content marketing.  He recently surpassed the 10,000 follower mark which is quite impressive...and yet, he still finds the time to respond to my comments and jump onto the posts that I share.  He wrote a wonderful piece on Google Plus etiquette.. a MUST READ.  He also has some great info on how to connect all of your google profiles (e.g. youtube, biz page, google +).  He has provided many great articles and videos on how to better use Google +..so follow him and READ him.  He gives great advice.


I hope you'll join Google + (and feel free to follow me Debbie Gartner).  If I had to prioritize all the social media out there, I would put Google + first.  It's the only one that simultaneously improves your SEO and google authorship.  I highly recommend it.


For anyone who is using Google Plus, feel free to add your Google + URL below in the comments.

Comments (34)

Anonymous
Ronnie Bincer

Thanks for the kind mention here in your articla and on Google Plus!

If people want to read more about Google+ Hashtags - what they are and why you should care ...they can click on that link. Plus when you Realtors (or otherwise) are ready to start using Hangouts and Hangouts on Air (HOA) as part of your work, let me know, because that is actually my specalty on G+ since it combines so much of my prior expertise together (Video SEO, Content Marketing & Social).

Welcome to the fun!

Nov 19, 2012 11:03 PM
#15
Anonymous
Ronnie Bincer

Whoops, I guess the link feature does not work for me! Here is a short link to get to the Google+ Hashtag post: http://goo.gl/DAiID

Nov 19, 2012 11:06 PM
#16
Rich Cederberg
eXp Realty - Albuquerque, NM
eXp Realty Agent Albuquerque

Debbie, Thanks for the shout out, I really appreciate it.

I'm back on ActiveRain because community matters. Nothing has made this more obvious to me than being involved on Google+. I think ActiveRain and Google+ are the perfect combination for getting found in today's online world. Posting your blog post on AR, then promoting it on Google+ is a winning combination!

And meeting people on AR and then getting to know them better on Google+ is a great strategy too, because you never know what may come out of a great relationship. There are all kinds of possible rewards.

Thanks for starting Ga Ga for Google Plus!

Nov 19, 2012 11:27 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Lynn - Thx so much.

Dorie - Thank you and yes it really is.

Ginny - Yes, I'm so glad you're on it and thx for pasting your link

Dan - Thank you and same to you.

Ronnie - Wow, thx so much for stopping by and your comments.  That link will really come in handy for some.  I will also post in a follow up update.  You are such a wealth of info.

Rich - You are so welcome, and you are so right.  It's the perfect combo and I've definitely gotten to know a few on there much better and it's amazing how the comraderie has led to some real smart biz ideas.

Nov 19, 2012 11:43 PM
Eric Proulx
RealEstate.com - Kirkland, WA

Thanks Debbie for including me in this list! See everyone on the plus!

Nov 20, 2012 12:01 AM
Gary Frimann, CRS, GRI
Eagle Ridge Realty / Signature Homes & Estates - Gilroy, CA
REALTOR and Broker

Hi Debbie.  I gave you a Suggest, as I originally found this on a reBlog.  Thanks for all these tips and doing such a thorough job investigating Google +.  I am new to Google + but I have already seen some positive results, and need to speed up my learning about it.

Nov 20, 2012 12:13 AM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Hi Debbie,

Okay..I'm back.... you inspired me this morning and I have made a point to Google+ posts today..including yours..I'm going to take your tips and try and run with them! Still can't believe this post is not featured!

Nov 20, 2012 12:44 AM
Lori Cain
eXp Realty - Tulsa, OK
Midtown Tulsa Real Estate Top Producer

Debbie - thanks for including me in this week's GaGa Google+ - it's an honor to be amon Anita, Rich, Eric and Ronnie! Welcome everyone - please circle us and we look forward to learning more about Google+ together!!

Nov 20, 2012 01:09 AM
George Souto
George Souto NMLS #65149 FHA, CHFA, VA Mortgages - Middletown, CT
Your Connecticut Mortgage Expert

Debbie this is good information.  I have not heard of "Hashtags" before so I have not used them.  Guess I need to change that.

Nov 20, 2012 04:48 AM
Kimberly Tapscott
Keller Williams Prestige Properties - Stamford, CT
Giving you the service you deserve!
Debbie of course great post. I'm checking for the first installment. Thank you for sharing. Happy thanksgiving!
Nov 20, 2012 06:12 AM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Eric - You're welcome and thx for reblogging and thx for the share.

Gary - Thank you so much, and I'm glad you're finding success with it.

Dorie - Excellent.  I'm so super glad to hear that.

Lori - Thank you so much and thx for all your support.

George - Excellent.  Yes, you can/should use them in Twitter, too.

Kimberly - Thank you so much, and a Happy Thanksgiving to you. I hope you can make it to Dagny's.

Nov 20, 2012 06:20 AM
Liz Hill
YOUR CHOICE REALTY CORP BROKERAGE - Barrie, ON

Hi Debbie, I know I really need to spend some time working this all out. I really appreciate all the info that you have shared. I will bookmark and allocate a timeslot to study it.

Nov 20, 2012 10:31 AM
Maureen Bray Portland OR Home Stager ~ Room Solutions Staging
Room Solutions Staging, Portland OR - Portland, OR
"Staging Consultations that Sell Portland Homes"

Debbie -- the link in your post for Ronnie Bincer goes instead to:  Mark Traphagen

Wasn't sure if you knew this ....

Nov 20, 2012 01:24 PM
Debbie Gartner
The Flooring Girl - White Plains, NY
The Flooring Girl & Blog Stylist -Dynamo Marketers

Liz - Excellent.  I hope you come back to it.

Maureen - Thx.  I just fixed that.  They are both worth following.  Thankfully, the other link goes to Ronnie Bincer.

Nov 20, 2012 07:58 PM
Sheila Newton Team Anderson & Greenville SC
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices - C. Dan Joyner - Anderson, SC
Selling the Upstate since 1989

great list.. I struggle with the hashtag part.. i forget that  a lot. I'm working on it though..

Sheila on Google +

Nov 20, 2012 10:57 PM
Lynda White
Bluegrass Homes & Farms Realty, Agent Know How - Louisville, KY
Admin. Mgr., Keller Williams Realty

I didn't know about the Hashtags on Google Plus - I'll have to go read Ronnie's post. 

And as for Anita Clark, she ranks very high on my list too. :) Happy Thanksgiving Debbie! 

Nov 21, 2012 05:03 AM
Charles Stallions
Charles Stallions Real Estate Services - Pensacola, FL
800-309-3414 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.

Will this replace Facebook you think, I will have to check it out but I am trying to empty my plate not add to it. I have cut a lot out due to time restraits

Nov 21, 2012 05:24 AM
Courtney Cooper
Cooper | Cartwright - Seattle, WA
206-850-8841

Hi Debbie - I missed this until Roch reblogged it, so glad I found it - fabulous write up - hope you have a great holiday season :)

Nov 22, 2012 02:29 PM
Paula Bradfield
Bradfield Ramsey Group - Salida, CO
Your Salida Colorado area Realtor Team

Debbie, thank you! here is my profile on google + if you want to drop by. I have already added the rest to my circle

plus.google.com/105229864546964479192/posts

 

Nov 27, 2012 08:19 AM
Fred Griffin Tallahassee Real Estate
Fred Griffin Real Estate - Tallahassee, FL
Licensed Florida Real Estate Broker

Hi again, Debbie.   This is great!  I'm going to ReBlog it and post it to a couple of my Groups.

 

Nov 28, 2012 02:15 AM

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