How to Improve Your Google Plus Profile

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Early last summer, when most people were hassling (begging, in some cases) friends for an invite to Google +, I questioned why I needed yet another social network to drain time.

So naturally, when a friend from Omaha sent me an invite, I cliked 'yes.'

I just need to check it out, see what all the fuss is about, I mused.

Eight months later, I'm still not sure why I joined. I have around 20 friends I've separated into three circles. I shared a recipe for baked tortilla chips.

Now what?

If you're trying to build a platform or an audience or showcase your work, you - as a writer - need to use your Google + to your advantage.

How?

Improve your profile so you up your searchability level on Google.

When I logged in to my profile today, I noticed I really don't have much listed. No contact info, nothing that shows I'm a journalist and editor. So how I can I use Google + to bump up my information when people are searching for Nebraska journalists?

  1. Create a strong tagline, but make it brief. Think of it as a poem, not a novel. I don't have one listed. How can you expect people to know about you, as an author, without basic information? Looks like I need to add it to my profile.
  2. Add a business photograph. People need a visual cue. I had previously added my author's headshot. Good move!
  3. List your link. More than likely, a writer has a website or blog established. Why aren't you linking to it? It will generate additional traffic and pull in more readers. It's a no-brainer, that unfortunately, I had not added to my profile. But I will now!
  4. Be visible. On your "About" page, be sure to check "profile discovery" and "visible." I had not made my profile visible, but I have since remedied that situation.
Once you've made these adjustments, your name - and your brand - will be located by readers, editors, agents, etc., looking for writers.

And isn't that what authors want: to make a connection with people reading and purchasing their work?

by LuAnn Schindler.  Read more of LuAnn's work at her website or connect with the social media junkie on Google + (or Facebook or Twitter or LinkedIn).

6 comments:

Margo Dill said...

Hi LuAnn, thanks for this. What I have been trying to figure out, and maybe you can help me!, is how this is any different now that you can organize Facebook friends in to categories? I am going to follow your tips here and share this with any social networking students who want to know more about Google Plus. What I do like about Google Plus is if you are signed on and surfing for interesting articles, it is much easier to post them to your profile than going through the process with Facebook and Twitter. Anyway, I digress. Thanks for the tips!

LuAnn Schindler said...

Good question, Margo. I' not sure how it's any different from organizing Facebook friends into categories. I'm still trying to learn the ropes and figure out the advantages of using yet another social media form!

pamlovesbooks said...

i'm still trying to figure out why its better other than because it's new.

LuAnn Schindler said...

I have yet to figure that out, Pammy. A lot of times I forget I have it. Oops!

marquita herald said...

Great subject ... I am embarrassed to say I got as far as setting up my Google+ account/profile, etc., and haven't done a darn thing to build value. Despite that I have around 100 followers - people obviously focused on numbers. Anyway, according to the social media "expert" in my blog syndication group, one of the key differences between Facebook and Google+ is FB is for connecting with friends while Google+ is aimed at making new friends.

LuAnn Schindler said...

Interesting, Marquita. I looked at my list of friends on + and most of them are also Facebook and Twitter friends. Maybe I need to take time to see how it actually works!

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