SEPTEMBER 2011
Google+: A Positive New Perspective on Social Media
written by Brittany Harb, Marketing Coordinator |
Google is working to create a bridge between the ease of technology and our basic social needs. It's fully titled as "The Google+ Project", and positioned as much more than another cookie-cutter social media application. |
Google says, "Be Relevant"
With the creation of Circles, Google is allowing you to share what you want with exactly who you want, and essentially transfer your real-life separations to the Internet. Google believes this missing edge to social media will break down any walls of hesitation, encourage users to share more freely and ultimately cultivate stronger online connections. Critics tend to agree, and believe this feature is a direct response to one of the most notable problems on Facebook.
Google says, "Explore Together"
With a built-in content aggregator like Sparks, Google+ is designed to be the ultimate bookstore/ coffee shop/ sports game/ you-name-it backdrop to your conversations with the people in your life. Just choose your interests, read up and share with your Circles.
Google says, "Let Things Unfold"
Hangouts allows up to 10 users to connect to one group video-chat interface. You receive notifications when someone in your Circle is “Hanging Out” and, if it's an open conversation, have the option to join in. It's designed to be like “recess” for adults—a casual and oftentimes agenda-free hangout. A chance, Google says, to “signal to everyone around, ‘Hey, I've got some time…’”
Google says, "Get Everyone Together"
Huddle is to Hangouts, what texting is to calling. With Huddle, you can communicate with a Circle in real-time and quickly communicate via group messaging. This introduces another use to Circles: creating Circles for even the less obvious groups you have in life. For example, you can define Circles by your group of friends that meet for weekly game nights, your family members that plan trips together, or your book club group and then utilize your Google+ sharing capabilities with them.
Google says, "Remember What You Forgot"
Google designed Google+ with the option to easily add your detected location to Circle posts via your mobile's GPS. Google+ also offers a solution to mobile camera snapshots. If you have Instant Upload activated, pictures will float up to your private album in the cloud. From this cloud, you can access and choose to share these photos using any of your electronic devices at any time.
Google adds the word "You"
Google promises to keep the focus on the users by giving us innovative ways to connect, multiple privacy options, a simple, clean interface, faster image uploading and the ability to provide feedback, it may just work out as planned.
Pre-project, Google launched the +1 button—a 'Like' capability to share articles on your Google account profile. This function will now link to your Google+ profile. The Project has so far only been open by invitation during its initial trial run, giving each new user 150 unique invites via e-mail. Google also promises to add new features along the ride. See you there.
What does all this mean for your event's social media strategy? It's too early to tell when––and if––Google will actually fully launch Google+, but if it proves to be all it's supposed to be, it should be an easy and efficient platform for targeting messaging, segmenting content, building community and encouraging participation on many levels.
(All quotations cited from Official Google Blog article, "Introducing Google Project" from June 2011, available in archive: http://googleblog.blogspot.com/) |
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MDG Out and About |
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(From left to right) MDG's Denise Paccione, Kimberly Hardcastle and Julie Hambly with Danielle and Chris Gibbs from ExpoNation.
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Denise joins an exhibitor for a quick break at Summer Las Vegas Market.
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President Clinton delivered a SRO keynote to a crowd of more than 10,000 home furnishings retailers at Summer Las Vegas Market.
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Jacquelyn Clair (MDG) at Blogher in San Diego with Nina Tekwani and Amy Matteson of the Pivot Conference team.
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Kimberly, Vinnie Polito, Doreen Biala and Jenn Hoff at Amprofec in Cancun, Mexico.
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