Among all the trends in the world of social media, the newest, and quickest growing, is Google+ for businesses. So, why should your company worry with setting up a Google+ Business page?  Isn’t it just one of many on the ever-growing list of social outlets?  Yes, it is—but it’s different, and is set apart from the others.

Unlike other social outlets, Google+, in its new-born state for business usage, is taking a very innovative perspective that other similar setups have not.  Google+ is interactive in seeking out suggestions and requests for features and functionality from users.  And here’s the kicker—these requests and suggestions are not only being listened to, but acted upon, by Google!  The ability to offer feedback, to help drive this outlet towards what works best and easiest by users is  not the usual take for social media options.  This is really just the icing on the cake, though.  Google+ has much more to offer businesses than just curiosity at what they want.

Google+ offers organized interaction.  Business pages can create circles for specific consumer demographics, target groups, and contacts.  What is the true impact of this?  Well, you can stream, create hangouts, and run specials to your organized and specialized groups, on your terms.  You have the ability to appeal specifically to your target market of contacts in circle A, and then stream an entirely different promo to the group in circle B.  The ability to target specific groups, with business information and appeals specifically created for them, adds a depth to this outlet that is lacking from the others.

Additionally, Google+ features sharing options by means of the +1 button, which can be on any website, regardless of participation in Google+; but proves most beneficial to those with a Business + account.  The more people who +1 your streams, images, information, etc., the more others in other circles see your business’ impact.  This relates to word-of-mouth spreading, much like Facebook “likes”, but that is visible in search engine results.

Like other social outlets, there is a Google+ “badge” that can be added to your website icons to connect viewers directly to your Business+ page.  While this newest option in the world of social media is similar to the other selections, each does carry with it very distinctive benefits and perks that the competition does not offer.  Until you give them a try, you never know which will fulfill your business needs best.  Happy and loyal consumers are those that have businesses catering to them, interacting with them, and connecting with them in a fun, friendly, and consistent manner.

When we think of a blog, we may not immediately consider the many benefits of its use from a business perspective.  Blogs, though, when used for their true purpose, are quite the useful business tool.

A blog is an endless opportunity for your business to engage, interact, and inform your website users and viewers.  Most feature RSS feed capabilities, so people can subscribe to your blog.  Additionally, some design studio’s, TWG included, can set-up a website blog to auto-feed other social outlets.   A blog is a great addition to your business website, because it is a reason for users to return to your site; it can streamline information-sharing through auto-feeds and RSS capabilities, and it provides you with the ability to continually and regularly put new information on your website.  But how can you really use your blog?

Your blog can be used in whatever method you can imagine.  Would you like to use it to broadcast specials, promo’s, and deals?  Start announcing!  Would you get more benefit from sharing information with your website users?  Inform and Educate!  Perhaps, you would like to focus your energy on interacting with your consumers?  Pose a questions, game, contest, etc. and enable your blog comments!  Whatever your business needs---a blog is an all-encompassing feature that allows you to share content, images, and links to other websites, articles, or video streams (what a great way to link to your business Vimeo or YouTube channel….).

The beauty of the blog is truly in the eye of the beholder.  Use it to link to third party sources for information and updates, or to link to outside means for your business.  Use it to share internal company information.  Use it to share images and descriptions of public functions.  Use it to engage your client-base.  The key point:  use it.  Your blog can be whatever you make it—you just have to make it something!

Does your business have a Facebook page? Are you using it to its maximum potential? Facebook pages have been around for a while, but it can be a great advantage to your business if used correctly. Facebook pages can be used to connect with your existing customers and reach out to new ones.

It is important to start with a set of goals for your Facebook page that will benefit your business. These may include:

• To be found by people who are searching for your products or services
• Connect and engage with current and potential customers
• Create a community around your business
• Promote other content you create, including blog articles
• Generate leads for your business

Once you define the goals you want to achieve with your Facebook page, it is time to start posting. Some things to keep in mind when posting are:

• Start with exposure
• Generate awareness
• Motivate your followers to interact with your business
• Be entertaining and interactive in your posts
• Use images, videos, contests, and interesting information for your customers
• Write simply and plainly; keep it conversational
• Keep consistent activity to engage your fans
• Use Facebook to grow your email list, and vice versa
• Introduce new products or services
• Connect and ‘like’ other business pages

With your Facebook page now booming, you can’t forget about promoting your page and connecting it to your website and other marketing materials. Make sure that you link customers to your Facebook page from your website and post info on your page that will send them back to your website.

If you don’t have a Facebook page set up for your business, you might want to consider getting one. It is a great tool to use in our socially connected world.