hangout

I’m enjoying Google Plus right now. I like the hangouts and I like the stream. I like the stream of information because it’s a small stream and it’s not super spammy, yet.

With twitter and with facebook I’m connected to a lot of bloggers just like myself. Bloggers love to promote their work. Bloggers are also paid to promote their work. I guess I should say that you have to circle bloggers with care.

I have a few G+ tips that may or may not build the numbers everyone is looking for, but would do a lot to increase the quality of interaction.

• Keep a good ratio of solid content to promotional content. For example: share 5-10 articles written by someone other than yourself before you share your own
• Ask questions. The best conversationalists are probably the folks who use the words “I” and “me” the least
• Don’t monopolize a hangout. I was in one last night where one person seemed totally unaware that there were seven other people in the hangout. This is not YouTube where you talk at people, this is a group chat, where a group chats.
• Name your circles appropriately. Although Google is run by adults we should all learn our lessons from Facebook. Anything could become public at any time. So that circle that you want to name “Social Media D-Bags”? Call it something else, like “Smarty Pants” just in case they see it some day.
• Be specific and small with your circles. Circles of 100 people or more don’t do a lot of good, but circles for Foodies, Cars, Angelinos, and parents have served me well. If G+ lasts a while (I think it might) it’s important that you are organized from the start.
• Know that if you’re in a hangout someone may screengrab or broadcast you publicly. It sucks, but it happens.