Google+ is a social media network that was set up by Google to try and knock Facebook off of the top spot. They failed to do that, but this was the first time that they created a social media website that didn’t fail completely. Now, Google+ is a well known social media website, but it is not as popular as the big social media networks such as Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and LinkedIn. It is still possible to get traffic from Google+, and there is a bit of a SEO bonus for you if you do, as Google+ has a slight edge over the others (although Google denies it of course).
Think about it as if it were a smaller version of Facebook
That is basically what Google+ really is. There are only a few differences between then both, and the differences are not so big that you need to alter tactics when promoting on one or the other. It is perfectly acceptable to bring your Facebook campaign ideas and drivers and use them on your Google+ account. It is the same as Facebook in so many ways that if your promotional material and techniques are working on Facebook, then bring them over to Google+ and give them a try.
Create a Google+ profile
This is the first way to start getting traffic from the site. You actually have to sign up to the website and create a profile. Just like with Facebook, you need to create a personal profile so that people can find out about you. You may (and are allowed) to promote your website on your personal profile, but it is not recommended too much as you will probably start to lose contacts because people do not like being nagged or promoted to all of the time.
Create a Google+ page
This is a lot like a Facebook fan page. Basically, you create a page that is joined on your interface to your personal profile. You may then use this new page to express your appreciation for something. That something is going to be your website, as you are trying to get traffic to go to it. This means you need to create nice and saleable bio for it, and you need to make sure your link to it. You should also post on it too in order to get people to go to your website.
Cross promote with other social media sites
You can mix up your adverts and your posts from Facebook and Twitter, to your Google+ profile and Google+ page. It is easy, and you can even start using the same posts on Facebook as you do on Google+. It is not advisable unless you have a shortness of time, in which case it is far better than nothing.
Integrate Google+ into your blog
There are a number of ways you can do this. You can get one of those comment sections that allows you to log in via Google+. Or, you can add one of those small thumbs up or “+” symbols for Google+ that people with profiles may click on.
Show blog previews on your Google+ page
This is a very clever idea, as it gives people a reason to go over and look at your blog. You are not just promoting it; you are also giving people a sample. If they like what they see on Google+, then they can hop along over to your blog and have a look at the blog post in full, as well as all of your other blog posts.
Show adverts and offers on your Google+ page
If you have a website and not a blog, then you can always show adverts for your website on your Google+ page. There is always a chance that people are going to see your adverts on Google+ and go over to your website. This is especially true if you have discount codes and offers that are exclusively available on Google+.
Join the authorship program if you can write
If you are a bit of a writer, then get yourself on the Google+ authorship program and you can start pulling in traffic from that too.
Post routinely but not too regularly
If you are using Google+ the same way you use Facebook, then you should post quite regularly. Just do not do it too often, as people will quickly tire of your over promotion and will cancel their contact with you on Google+. Nobody likes to be bored in their own time.
Pretend as if every post is a new poster advert
This is a nice frame of mind to be in. Pretend as if every post you make on Google+ is just another advert via a big poster. Be as creative as you like and try to make the post as interesting as possible.
Kate Funk is a freelance writer at www.aussiewriter.com/. She is mainly focusing on technology, gadgets and all the latest SEO trends which are interesting for networking enthusiasts.
