No one was really surprised with Google launched its own social network, Google+ this summer. Soon after that came Google+ for businesses, which gave companies another way to reach their current and potential audiences.

Although some businesses are taking advantage of the benefits of Google+ to help reach their desired audience, many businesses are not aware of how to use it to reach their core demographics. By learning the essentials to Google+ and how it can reach new audiences, you can reap the benefits of the new social network for your business.

Here are five (5) things your business should know about Google+:

1. Google, the most powerful search engine in the world, owns Google+. You may have been contemplating giving all of your valuable attention to your current Facebook audience. Rather, shift some of that focus to Google+ and increase your Web searchability. Mashable dives in deeper, noting that installing that ever-popular +1 button can result in some serious traffic increases. In short, if you post an article and someone clicks the +1 button, they are able to comment, share, and send the articles to their fan base. Sharing content is as easy as one, two, share.
2. You can use your circles to reach targeted audiences. With circles, you decide what content goes to which group of people. This can help feed specific information to a targeted audience. You can also use the circle feature to snoop on your groups and see what the buzz is and how you can contribute to the conversation. Make sure to be patient though; you cannot add a person to your circle until they have added your business to a circle first. Once they add you to a circle, let the circle building begin!

   

3. You’re able to save your interests to save time (and stay sane!). Another advantage to Google+ is having everything you need in one place. Along with your newsfeed and circles, you can save frequent searches. If your business is a clothing boutique with a target demographic of females in their mid to late 20s, Google+ allows you to search “new fashion women” and save that search. Then, in the future when you’re looking to poll your targets or attain user feedback on recent trends, it will be saved on the left hand side of your Google+ page. This feature can save you time by keeping everything in one place.

   

4. It’s easy to show your brand’s personality. Remember, relationships are everything. Post things on your Google+ account that are related to your brand, and helpful to your followers. People do not like to see a company posting solely about themselves and their new product or service. Instead, users like to see a more human element to their favorite brand and one with which they can interact. Commenting on your followers’ posts, encouraging healthy debate, and adding people to circles can help build relationships and increase the size of your online following.
5. Hangouts = real time relationship building. Google+ has helped break the barrier between businesses and clients. One major way is through Hangouts. With Hangouts, you can invite up to 10 users to join you in a free videoconference. Your business can utilize Hangouts for a number of things, including Q&A sessions, product/service demos, or meetings with other employees. Hangouts can help make conference calls a little more personal by seeing the people on the other end.

What do you think the benefits are of using Google+? BLASTmedia employees stepped up to the plate and gave their opinion on the new social network. How will you implement Google+ into your business? If you need help implementing Google+, let us know, we’re here to help!

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