The following is a guest blog post from Drew Custer
In the short time that it’s been available to the general public, Google Plus has exploded in terms of popularity and continues to add innovative new features.
With over 100 million users, it’s become the preferred method for collaboration and sharing among professionals, casual users who value simplicity and those who can’t stand Facebook. If you’re looking to attract a large following on Google Plus,here are five great tips for expanding your fan base.
Flesh Out Your Profile
You’d be surprised at how many people don’t bother to fill out basic personal information on themselves on their “About” page. It’s not as if you have to spill your guts and reveal your deepest, darkest secrets. But a few general pieces of information such as your hometown, occupation and maybe a quick blurb on your interests is a solid way to get started. And remember to put up at least a profile picture, as people like to match a face to a name.
Personalize Your Page
Making a good first impression is important, as people who visit your Google Plus profile will form an immediate opinion of you based on looks alone. Your Google Plus layout says a lot about you based on how it appears in terms of configuration and color scheme. There are plenty of ways to make your Google Plus page unique and truly stand apart from the crowd. Experiment with visual elements until you settle on something you like.
Take Advantage of Topic Circles
We all tend to self-organize and aggregate around subjects that interest us, whether it’s gardening, amateur photography, woodworking or fantasy football. Start a topic circle and invite users to join in the conversation and share content. Time Magazine fields one of the best examples of this concept in action. A topic circle can be a good way to engage other Google Plus users and gain followers if you’re willing to get the ball rolling.
Nudge Your Followers Towards Sharing Your Content
You don’t have to be overly aggressive on Google Plus when it comes to promoting your outside blog posts, articles and web pages. Just put up a link and encourage your current followers to check it out. If they like it, they’ll share it with other users in their circles and you’ll manage to attract new fans that were previously unaware of your page. Just make sure you don’t become overly promotional in the process.
Pull Traffic In From the Outside
There’s no reason not to encourage your fans on Twitter, your website or your blog to follow you on Google Plus as well. Fortunately, there are plenty of easy ways to add Google Plus widgets on WordPress, Tumblr and virtually every other CMS and blogging platform on the web. On every article and post you publish, make sure there’s a link to your Google Plus page at the end.
Final Word
Attracting a healthy and diverse following on Google+ isn’t really that much different than on any other social network. Whether you’re trying to expand your reach on LinkedIn, Twitter, or another network, the same rules apply. In short, be honest, offer value and engage your followers. Whether you’re using it for promotional purposes or just to stay in touch, Google Plus is a forward-thinking social network that everyone should at least give a try.
Author Bio:
Drew C. works for a car insurance comparison website. It’s a great website if you’re looking for omni car insurance. When he isn’t working, Drew loves to read, play soccer and spend time with his family.