If you spend time on social media sites, and even if you don’t, you’ve probably heard people buzzing about Google+. With the time you already have invested in LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and various property management sites you may be thinking you don’t have time for another commitment. It can be worth it to make time. That’s why we’re offering you an invitation to sign up. (If you can’t wait any longer, jump to the end of the post to see how to sign up.)
What is Google+?
Google+ is Google’s latest entry into the social media scene and it appears that they got it right this time. It is currently in limited release. The feed, or stream, is similar to Facebook but the user interface is much sleeker with a clean design. Unlike Twitter, there’s no limit on the length of a post. You can sign up on their homepage and wait for an invitation to join. If you know someone who has already joined, they can send you an invitation which is usually a quicker way in.
What is so great about it?
Integration
The service is all about moving seamlessly between Google products and being able to use them together.
- Google search can be performed from within Google+
- Picassa is owned by Google. They have announced plans to rename it to tie it into their other products. Share a picture in your timeline and it automatically goes into your free Picassa album which, by the way, has unlimited storage.
- Blogger is another of their products. Plans are to interweave it into Google+.
- The toolbar will appear at the top of all of your Google products such as
- Gmail
- Google documents
- Google Calendar
.
Collaboration
The tool is called Hangouts, and it is a huge hit. It’s a video chat feature that allows up to 10 people to simultaneously chat. While currently most are using it for social visits, the implications for business are huge. It is accessible, easy to use and free, what small business doesn’t like free?
Circles
Google+ lets you organize your friends into Circles. When you share posts you have the option of choosing which circles to send it to. This means you can keep your personal and business posts separate or you could target one post to tenants and another to property owners. The lack of this feature is one of the main complaints about Facebook.
Drag and drop people into circles, create circles to group the people you follow.
+1 Feature
Everyone questioned why they introduced the +1 button a few months ago. Now it’s making more sense. The button is everywhere on the Google+ site. And since Google is known for search, think about what the implications of this could be. The platform is already developing into a major platform for sharing information and therefore a driving force for traffic. It may have a big influence on the success of your website.
It Will Only Get Better
Google has made a major commitment to the project. More and more features are coming. They are actively on the platform every day communicating with users and making improvements. Plans are in the works to introduce business pages. Regardless of your opinion, it is not going away. Get in early and avoid playing catch-up later on.
Ready to Get Started on Google+?
We have access to invitations and would love to see all of our property management friends there. Register here on the blog and leave a comment on this post before August 11, 2011. We’ll send you a Google+ invitation via email.
Hey, guys. Google+ is definitely looking better and better every time I see a new story about. I would love an invite.
Your invitation was sent. Since they don’t allow companies to join yet, it’s from a personal account. Enjoy!
Thank you!!!
It’s on the way Wendy! Invitation is from a personal account as they don’t allow companies to join yet. Have fun!
I’m interested. Sign me up!
Your invitation has been sent, Amber. It’s from one of our personal accounts as they don’t allow companies on Google+ yet. Enjoy exploring Google.
I’m a Propertyware user and would like to check it out. Thanks!
Invite on the way, Bryan!
Hey guys
Google+ is really impressive from videos that I saw on the Internet. Really nice post! Could you please send me an invite?
Thanks a million guys
On it’s way, William! Have fun.
As soon as business embraces it, Google+ will be bigger than Facebook!
I would love an invite. Thank-you!
We agree with you, Steve! Your invitation was sent, it’s from a personal account.
If you could send over an invite, that would be awesome. Thanks a million if you get around to it!
On its way, Mike!
Google+ invite please
Sent, enjoy exploring Google+!
Please send an invite to Google+. I was just researching this earlier today – nice coincidence:).
Steve
On the way, Steve! From a personal account. Enjoy exploring Google+.
Great article on using Google+
http://wparena.com/inspiration/120-people-wrote-a-help-manual-about-google/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Wordpressarena+%28Wordpres+Arena%29
Thanks for the invite!
Invitation sent!
Sounds like a great program!
Hey guys,
Can we get a Google+ invite too here in Seattle!
Thanks,
Ty
Cayce & Gain
On it’s way to Seattle, Ty!
I’m excited about Google+, please sign me up. Would love to try it out!
Sent your invitation, Charnette. Have fun!
It’s hard to imagine something getting bigger and more popular than Facebook but look at everything Google has ever done and you find very few failures. My entire operation (minus Propertyware of course) is run on Google products and services so to me they are the best.
I would love an invite since I’m anxious to see what it’s all about!