Google Plus: Not Just Another Social Network for Your Bail Agency
- October 21, 2012
- by Kimberly Faber
- Social Media
Most bail agencies are already balancing identities on the many existing social networks across the web. As a key marketing tool with additional educational, networking, and even people locate benefits many bail agencies choose to be active on social media. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Yahoo, and a variety of other channels have solid followings, and Google’s social network, Google Plus, is an important network to keep up with.
Why should my bail agency join Google Plus?
We get it. Another social network? Really? But Google Plus isn’t a carbon copy of other social media networks. Unique features like Hangouts, Circles, and local search optimization make it an important network to join. The interface is clean and easy-to-use making profile navigation and posting information easy.
For more on the features, check out the sections below.
- Hangouts
Plainly, Google Plus Hangouts are video chats. All you need is a working webcam and microphone (a default feature in newer computers) and a Google Plus account to start video chatting with people across the globe.
Hangouts have a lot of business applications as they can be used to connect with other offices or to broadcast a seminar or other video in a Google Plus Hangout On Air. Up to 10 people can join a chat or broadcast, and screen sharing, YouTube integration, and other effects make it easy to connect for a meeting, to discuss industry news, or to discuss a hot topic with a bail agent in another area. - Circles
Think of Circles as a way to organize the people you connect with. With Circles you can sort your friends, fans, colleagues, and clients into respective Circles. Rather than simply adding a friend, becoming a fan, or following a feed, when you connect with someone on Google Plus you add them to a Circle.
With this function you can separate your connections into different groups (i.e. Colleagues, Friends from College, Family, Association Members) and direct your posts accordingly. This means that if you only want to share a post with Family, or if something will only be of interest to Association Members and Colleagues, you can limit the post so that only those Circles can see it. On the reverse side, you can filter your home feed, so if you want to see what’s happening with just your Client circle or what your Colleagues are doing, you can. - Personal profiles and business pages
Much like personal profiles and fan pages on Facebook, Google Plus allows you to run a professional business page through your personal profile. Not only does this provide your business with additional branding and exposure, but it also has benefits within Google’s search results.
How to set up your account and a page for your bail agency
First, head to Google and click the +You link in the top left hand corner. On the next page, click Signup. After filling out a registration form, you will be prompted to upload a profile photo and continue to your profile. From there you can add people to your circles, hangout, share links and stories, and set up a page for your bail agency.
To set up a page, click More on the bottom left side of your profile and select Pages. After that, select Create New Page and Local Business or Place. You will be prompted to input your company phone number, which will bring up your local search profile information to verify. One you’ve verified your address, select Professional Service from the Category dropdown menu, check the agree to Terms and Conditions box, and select Create. Congratulations, you now have a personal Google Plus profile as well as a business page!
Get on the list of bail agents on Google Plus!
AboutBail.com is compiling a list of bail agents on Google Plus. Add AboutBail to your Circles to be included on the list!.
