One unique feature of Google+ is the ability to host hangouts. Here I explains how you can use it to your business' advantage.
Reasons to use Google+ Hangouts
So what are some good reasons to use Google+ Hangouts? Here are just a few.- Grow your Google+ audience. Google+ allows you to share hangouts with the public or with only particular people in your Google+ circles. Encourage people to follow you on Google+ by setting up hangouts only for connections.
- Really connect with your fans. It’s one thing to interact with your fans through status updates and comments, but by inviting your fans to join you live on video, you are opening the door to even more meaningful engagement.
- Create video content for your website. Google+ now allows you to not only broadcast hangouts live, but also record them to post on your YouTube channel. This makes it an easy way to create great video content for your video marketing campaign.
Hangout ideas
Now that you know a few reasons why you would want to use Google+ Hangouts, let's take a look at some actual hangout ideas that could apply to your business.- Start a regular industry discussion show. Get your audience in the habit of checking out a regular weekly or monthly show where you discuss the latest news in your industry. You can invite nine random participants to ask questions or invite other industry leaders to participate in the discussion.
- Host a regular Q&A session. Instead of creating a pre-planned discussion, you could always open the floor up to nine participants who ask you questions about your industry, products, or services.
- Record simple webinars. Sure, you won’t be able to invite thousands to your broadcast, collect their email addresses, and follow up via email like other popular webinar services let you do. But you can record a simple webinar on Google+ Hangouts whenever you want for free, rather than pay for a regular monthly service.
- Interactive how-to videos. Start a hangout with an educational tutorial or how-to session and then invite participants to ask questions. Think of it like a live classroom or webinar where the students can be on-screen to participate.