Totally stoked by Mick Sharpe's kind words for The Midweek Zap.

Totally stoked by Mick Sharpe's kind words for The Midweek Zap. Thanks to Ask Yvi and her fabulous tech knowledge. Thanks to the Zapster audience for all the questions, helpful comments and shared links!

Originally shared by Mick Sharpe

Hotter than in July

What a summer this is turning out to be! I’ve waxed before about the increasing pace and anticipation here on Google+. There’s an ever growing buzz in the community, a realisation that this Google+ thing is happening, the promise being fulfilled. Exciting times to be a part of this unique network. So on with a selection of the delights from the last week.

Back in January Mia Voss took the decision to rebrand her Social Media Power Chat as The Mia Connect Power Chat to broaden the discussion topics beyond the confines of social media. Well, this episode Architecture & Interior Design (http://goo.gl/ugqE0u) demonstrates why that was absolutely the right decision to make. Some really interesting conversation from guests Chris Smith (come on Chris get yourself a Google+ account!), Laurie Laizure, leslie carothers, Mitzi Beach, Susan Serra, Nazim Beltran and James Dearsley. Multi-generational housing, developing for the rental market in the UK, planning for the baby boomers as they enter the retirement phase of their lives, changes brought about by the Millennials - it’s all here. As ever Mia has made the show even easier to consume with the comprehensive #timestamp post (http://goo.gl/aZ6GzP)

You may recall the first Paradigm Shift where Alexandra Riecke-Gonzales promised that framing would be the subject of the second show. Well here it is: Framing: Whose Semantic Frame Are You Living In? (http://goo.gl/wfUILs). Alex and David Amerland get deep into the topic. Very interesting viewing if you are involved in any kind of marketing or customer relations. Actually it’s very interesting even if you’re not! John Ellis provides the flawless production. [last minute edit: Alex came back to the comments post event with some fantastic thoughts. Be sure to take a look]

Yvonne Heimann took the hotspot on Zara Altair’s Midweek Zap - Connect Tech (http://goo.gl/SCI7C7) giving some solid advice when setting up your self-hosted WordPress site. Topics covered include setting up the connection between your site and your Google+ page or profile, multi-device compatibility, automation with IFTTT, scheduling your content and embedding YouTube videos. I’ve been impressed by the Midweek Zap - take a look and see if you might become a #Zapster.

Glass in the Class is one the shows I really relish - great guests giving just that little bit extra in the more intimate setting. This show Who Cares about Relationship Building? (http://goo.gl/kD98rd) featured one of my favourite plussers Gina Fiedel (it must be the web developer gravity well that draws us together). Alexandra Riecke-Gonzales does a marvellous job encouraging some really insightful commentary from Gina about relationships, art and web design. Another hat tip to John Ellis for the excellent behind the scenes work. Go and watch this 30 minute gem now!

You’ll know I’m a big fan of Google+ Business Spotlight (http://goo.gl/GEfdsg) - the show that showcases real life business use of Google+. This week Stephan Hovnanian and Ben Fisher invited Yifat Cohen to talk about how she uses Google+ right now. Yifat really gets the platform, relationships and business and I never tire of listening to her share her knowledge and experience. A very interesting section on the ROI of engagement and quality followers in the middle section. Yifat really shows why she is everyone’s G+GoTo Gal. Top job guys.

Giving, giving and more giving

You’ve got to be impressed with the amount of quality content shared freely here. A couple of examples caught my attention this week. First Daniel Futerman came to the end of his 21 Google Tips series with a look at Google+ itself (http://goo.gl/yh9Q1T). I really appreciate it when people go to these lengths to give something to the wider community. Well done Daniel.

If you’re looking for a quick link to all 21 tips Denis Labelle has created another of his fantastic list posts for the series here (http://goo.gl/Kep21u). Thanks Denis.

That consummate blogger we all know and love, Mike Allton, has wrapped up no less than 40 of his most useful Google related articles in this megapost Google+ University (http://goo.gl/yz9pwe). There’s a lot of useful reading in this list, emphasis on lot! You’ll want to bookmark this one, or share it to a private community for later viewing. (That was from post no 11: How to Save Google Plus Posts for Later Reading by the way). Many thanks for the fantastic resource Mike.

What’s in a name?

If you’re wondering about the potential impacts of the relaxation of Google’s real name policy then take a look at Wayne Brett’s Reactions to Google+ Name Policy Changes (http://goo.gl/8RGw0u). Wayne has drawn together the important posts on the subject from Yonatan Zunger, Kristin Drysdale, David Amerland and Iblis Bane as well as adding his own thoughts. I don’t really see any major impacts on the way we relate to each other on this platform. The culture of considered and respectful discussion is firmly established here and will no doubt remain strong.

Where is Google going?

Todd Hartley is putting out an incredibly useful series of discussions Where Google is Going & How to Position Your Business! (http://goo.gl/TUJPJw). I have to confess that I’ve missed the first two but intend to catch up this weekend. In this full thirty minute show David Amerland shares some thoughts on how business can take advantage of the Google ecosystem to deliver goals. I must congratulate Todd for the format of this show, really tight delivery, in discrete blocks (just ripe for future golden nugget mining!) The ever helpful Marilyn Moore has made a catch up incredibly easy with this fabulous #timestamp post (http://goo.gl/VxPV5W). And almost #automagically here is episode 4 Getting Ahead with Hangouts on Air (http://goo.gl/FZXmn6) featuring the master of Hangouts Ronnie Bincer. I’m conscious that this post is getting long so I’ll just say this is well worth watching.

James Dearsley’s The Midweek Marketing Mix (http://goo.gl/YiZNGf) continues to hit the sweet spot with its mix of expert commentary on the marketing topics of the day. Joshua Berg, David Amerland, kara wood, Jim Banks and Daniel Hare. Covering Semantic Search developments and Hangouts with a lot of discussion on identity and voice search, MozCon, Tweet indexing in Google, the latest in SEO including the increasing importance of mobile, and email marketing. There is something of interest for everyone. The Digital Marketing Bureau has provided the excellent #timestamp summary of the show here (http://goo.gl/V7eEi4)

I always take every opportunity to listen to Ana Hoffman (coffee = sense in my book!). This week Ana was the guest on Wade Harman’s Relationship Marketing show sharing Tips To Drive Blog Reader Engagement (http://goo.gl/T5uZCT). As you would expect building strong relationships with others is essential to help validate your content and amplify your reach. Ana gives an overview of the development of her own site and the steps she took to get noticed. Excellent inspiration for blog owners.

A fresh look at paid search

It’s been a while since I’ve done much with paid search so this week’s Digital Marketing Excellence Show surprised me with just how many changes/improvements have taken place. In Paid Search: Mastery of Strategy and Execution (http://goo.gl/nrILbL) Eric Enge and Larry Kim deliver some top information at breakneck speed. Segmentation, remarketing, targeting strategies and lots more. I’m going to have to watch again just to let it all sink in. Take a look and see if you need to freshen up your paid search strategy.

And in the red corner…

The gloves were off (almost) in Social Proof - The Ultimate Showdown! (http://goo.gl/DxCcp6). Stephan Hovnanian took the referee spot as David Kutcher and Dustin W. Stout go head to head looking at the pros and cons of social proof. A lively discussion both in the show and the comments looking at the numbers game (is it relevant or just ego massaging?), testimonials, reputation and relationships. The consensus is that social proof is a positive when it’s earned. If you rely on the numbers alone, perhaps artificially inflated, then there are some interesting caveats raised in this show. Well worth a viewing.

Thinkers corner

Ever increasing demands on time are given the #MarkoKoolAid treatment in The Stolen Moments of an Accidental Writer (http://goo.gl/jwi6qV). Bruce Marko explores his own development as a writer and the time that writing stole from other perhaps more necessary tasks. It’s that eternal conflict that most of face at one time or another when trying to justify our online activities to others, most importantly to family and friends, and ourselves. I relish this type of post, not only for the totally immersive writing, but for the compulsion to take that long hard look at our own situation. Thanks Bruce.

Teodora Petkova explores content and coins a new term in Creative Marketing (http://goo.gl/PHFR8I). Looking at our inner drive to create Teodora takes us on a journey that encompasses the world's oldest profession in Ancient Greece (yes really) and Charles Jencks’ Garden of Cosmic Speculation in Dumfries. A wonderful piece.

And finally…

It’s the next episode of #AmyTV. I look forward to every new episode. They are perfect examples of how to get your message heard in this Attention Economy. This episode AmyTV#25 Getting Your Business Message Across Loud and Clear (http://goo.gl/4niVlg) is highly entertaining and certainly delivers the message loud and clear. Nice job Amy.

Have a great weekend wherever you are

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