Why Bloggers Love Google Plus - Part Two

This is part two of a three part series. In part one, we heard from Elaina Newton of the Rising Spoon. Today I'd like to introduce you to Nickie O'Hara from Geekalicious. Tomorrow, I'll wrap things up with my G love story. Now, without further ado, here's Nickie!

When Google Plus was first announced I attempted to stick my toe into the murky waters of yet another social media platform. I was unsure what to expect and because I am a heavy user of Facebook and Twitter I was inclined to compare. I needn't have bothered because it is so different.

Firstly, it was very quiet. I could almost hear an echo when I shouted into the virtual void but then I realised that this was a place to start again, hone my experience and use the platform in a different way to all the others. Facebook is the place for friends and family, Twitter is for short and snappy conversation (and a bit of blog pimping) and I soon found out that Google Plus is the place to expand my networks in a way I've never managed before.

Exploring

I read articles about Google Plus and I was encouraged to explore using the search bar, very much in the same way that I use the Google search engine, to find people connected to ‘subjects' or ‘themes'. I also took part in a Google Hangout at a conference I was speaking at (summer 2012) and that opened my eyes to an exciting way to connect with other people for many different reasons.

Growing an Audience

I concentrated on my own profile for a long time; I blog in my own name and I am in control of everything I put on the internet. I did not want to use a ‘page' for my blog because I felt that it would be yet another update to consider. However, I understood that the Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) built into page facilities was going to help boost search sight of my newer (geek- themed) blog. So I set out to test the theory by linking only Geekalicious to a page and continuing to interact in the way I had been doing and promote my personal blog on my personal profile.

It is, as I suspected, hard work. However, having the definite split has helped me to find a fresh audience and new, interesting communities linked to the theme of my new blog. I was also very lucky to connect to a Google Plus Community Manager and get my page verified. This has helped with a slow, organic growth that is manageable.

I'm a bit slack compared to many users but there are some very knowledgeable people using Google Plus and they are generous with their advice and assistance. They are keen to create a positive atmosphere on G . As with many other people, I am tentatively using Google Plus because I am unsure where it will lead me and I don't want it to become a replica of all the other social media platforms that I use. Each has their own space and use on the World Wide Web and rightly so.

My Advice for Beginners

Here are my five hot starter tips:

1. Set aside some time to familiarise yourself with the layout of G
2. Set aside some time in your social media time to create valuable updates relevant to your reasons for using G
3. Don't be afraid to 1 your own updates. This isn't in the same realms of “liking” your own status on Facebook.
4. Respond to comments, shares and 1's. It's good community practice.
5. If you use Chrome as your browser, add a 1 extension so you can interact and share online articles without leaving the page. Also look at having a Circle Count extension to check G relevance.

Google Plus isn't for everyone. I see a lot of ‘link dumping' and confusion but if you're prepared to invest some time and energy into finding out how G works then you will reap the rewards.

You can connect with Nickie O'Hara on Google , or read her insightful and entertaining blogs, Geekalicious and Typecast. When you're ready for more G love, check out Part Three.