How to Meet People on Google+

How to Meet People on Google+

If you are new to Google+ you’ll find that meeting and connecting with people is based on engagement, discussion, and real conversation. Techniques that gain you followers on other social media may not work and may even keep you from gaining followers.

Quick Tips

First, take time to create your profile. Add a photo of your face, so people know who you are. Replace the Google background with an image that is related to you. Google offers a choice of free images to select if you don’t have one when you start. Add a brief description of yourself--your likes, your life focus, anything that gives others a sense of who you are as an individual. Leaving the presets of a “bluehead” and the Google background says you are not interested in engaging.

“Hi” is not a post comment or a way to engage on the post. Instead, comment on the post itself. A simple, “I like this” is better than “Hi.” Even better say why you like it. You are much more likely to get a response not only from the person who posted but others in the comment stream. Conversation is the way you expand your reach.

“Crush” and “Kill” as in “crush your competitors” or “kill it on xxxxx” are likely not to get a response. Invite Google+ people to entertain an idea. Or, ask for their experience, like “what was your most successful campaign?” or give an example of yours.

Do not post the same thing many times in a day. Google considers this spamming and may block your account. This isn’t Twitter.

Google Hangouts is a wonderful tool for deeper conversations. If you reach out (ping) someone on Hangouts state the reason for getting in touch. “Hi” or “Let’s chat on Hangouts (in any language) will get you ignored, or worse, blocked as spam.

The same goes for inviting someone into a video conversation on Hangouts. First, in chat, state the reason you want to connect on video and then ask if it is a good time. Once the other party says yes is the time to invite them into a video chat.

Asking is common courtesy. If you don’t ask first the recipient of your invitation has the ability to Ignore any future connection attempts from you on Hangouts. Once ignored, they won’t see your future invitations or chat comments.

The more you practice real responses and engagement, the larger your connections will grow. True friendships are built on Google+ if your post and respond with thought and courtesy.