Nonprofit Organizations on Google+ plus.google.com/+nonprofitorgs Upcoming Webinarsdiosacommunications.com/services/webinars.htm Webinar Notes: Google+ and Google+ Hangouts for Nonprofits (Not Recorded)
The Big Picture and Stats
• As of December 6, Google+ has 500 million registered users – of which 235 million are actively using Google+ features (Google Play, Gmail, etc.) and 135 million of them are using the Google+ Stream. • Two-thirds of Google+ users are male. Getting Started on Google+
• To begin, create a new Google/Gmail Account. If your nonprofit already has Google/Gmail Account, then login and you’ll see that all Google/Gmail Accounts now also have individual Google+ Profiles by default. • Like Facebook, you must have a personal profile before you can create a page for your nonprofit. Google+ Personal Profile Best Practices
• Create a “Nonprofit Resources” Circle and then add 22 Must-Follow Nonprofit Bloggers and Resources. You will then see their post in your Google+ Stream. • Other possible circles: Friends, Family, Work Colleagues, Acquaintances, Favorite Nonprofits, etc. HOW TO: Create a Google+ Page for Your Nonprofit While logged in to your personal Google+ Profile, go to your Stream > Pages > Create new page. Next, select “Company, Institution or Organization” and then: - Enter your nonprofit’s name and website. - Select “Non-profit” for category. - Select any Google+ User. - And then select the “Create Page” button. - View: Nonprofit Organizations Google+ Page Upload your nonprofit’s avatar (200 X 200 pixels), a header (549 X 309 pixels), and add a Tagline, Introduction, and Links. Note that links can be dragged and dropped into your preferred order. (View AARP, WildAid, Save the Children UK)
Google+ Circles and Pages
• Create a “Nonprofits” Circle so you can watch and learn how other nonprofits use Google+. Note that you now have two Google+ Streams. • Other possible circles: Donors, Supporters, Volunteers, Partners, Favorites, Bloggers, etc. Note that the more you add others to your circles the more often your avatar is visible inside the Google+ community. • Occasionally “Share” your circles to the Google+ Stream. Other Google+ users can then “View shared circle > Create a new circle” from your circle. Be sure to “Include yourself in shared circle.” Sharing Content to the Google+ Stream Share your first post to the Stream. Be sure that each post has a short personal message and includes a photo. It’s worth noting that unlike Facebook, you can edit your posts after sharing. To increase your +1’s and Shares, focus on posting: - Success stories - Photos and videos - Powerful stats and inspirational quotes - Calls to action: sign a petition, become a volunteer, urgent donation appeals, etc. - A unique, authentic, emotion-evoking Google+ voice - View Project Aware, ONE, Nonprofit Organizations
Google+ Best Practices for Nonprofits
• Occasionally share the content of others. Be sure to add a short personal message. Note that others can see that you shared their content under “Notifications.” • Tag other pages in your posts by adding a “+” in front of their name. • +1 the content of others to build alliances and to increase exposure of your avatar and encourage staff to +1 your posts to the Stream. • Upload photos and videos to the Stream. Note that you can add videos from YouTube or record videos directly inside of Google+. • Post 4-7 times per week. If you have time, experiment with once in the morning and once in the afternoon and what your followers count. People quickly uncircle nonprofits that post boring content. • Also, understand that unlike Facebook all of your posts are seen in the Google+ Stream. That means your posts can easily get buried if your followers have circled you with many others. • Add at least one other admin to your page by going to your Stream > Settings > Managers. • Add a Google+ icon to your website, blog and e-newsletter. (View Google+ icons, National Wildlife Federation Blogs) • Add +1 and Share buttons to your website and blog content. (View the Nature Conservancy Blog, Google +1 Button Code, Share Button Code, AddThis) • Link your website to your Google+ Page. (View Foundation Center) • Join and participate in Google+ Communities. (View Beginner’s Guide to Google+ Communities) • Tap in trending topics and #hashtags. HOW TO: Host a Google+ Hangout
• Google+ Hangouts are live video chats inside of Google+. You can host a hangout as an individual from your personal profile or from your nonprofit’s page by simply clicking “Start a hangout” from the Google Stream. • Only 10 people can attend hangout at any given time. You can make your hangout “Public” or closed by only inviting your circles to join i.e., create “Staff” and/or “Volunteers” circles. HOW TO: Host a Google+ Hangout on Air Similar to Google+ Hangouts, only 10 people can attend but with Hangouts on Air you can broadcast your hangout live on your Google+ Page and record the Hangout on Air to YouTube. (View Seven Ideas for Google+ Hangouts) If your nonprofit wants to experiment with Hangouts on Air, be sure to create an “Event” invitation [Banner must be 940 X 280 pixels] and a web page or blog post that: - Links to the event invitation and asks people to RSVP. - Clearly indicates the time and date of the hangout and who will be the speakers. - Informs people they must be a Google+ user to view the Hangout on Air and that they need download the Google Voice and Video Chat Plugin. - Then of course, promote article weeks and days in advance of the hangout on Google+ and other social networks.
Google Search Google+ Pages and profiles show up in Google Search results. Also, photos and video that you post on Google+ get priority placement in Google Images and Google Videos – especially if they have high numbers of +1’s.
Google Places
• Google Places is a service that enables nonprofits to create (or claim) a Places Page. Nonprofits that are location-based (such as a museum, food bank, zoo, church, university, etc.) absolutely must prioritize creating (or claiming) their Places Page because they rank high in Google Search. • Once claimed, your nonprofit can edit the contact information, manage reviews, upload photos, and get access to statistical data. • Also, Google+ users can check-in to Google Places on Google+ Mobile. Blogger
• Blogger, also known as blogspot.com, is the 12th most trafficked website in the world and 12th in the United States. • The design and functionality of Blogger has improved dramatically in recent years and will likely be integrated into Google+ in coming months – and thus rank higher in Google Search. • Blogging is crucial to social media ROI – and quite often the missing piece in a nonprofit’s social media strategy. (View Five Reasons Why Nonprofits Who Utilize Social Media Should Also Blog) Google Mobile
• Keep your eyes and ears open for updates to Google Wallet. • View list of Google Mobile Apps. Note that the availability of apps vary by phone with Android (owned by Google) and iPhone having the highest compatibility. Conclusion
• Keep your eyes and ears open for Google+ and Google TV integration. • Be sure to bookmark the Google+ Help Center. Upcoming Webinars for Nonprofits Tuesday, March 19: Mobile Communications and Mobile Fundraising Tuesday, March 26: Facebook and Facebooks Apps: Beginner/Intermediate Thursday, March 28: Facebook and Facebooks Apps: Advanced Tuesday, April 2: Online Fundraising and e-Newsletters Tuesday, April 16: Twitter and Twitter Apps Tuesday, April 23: LinkedIn Groups and Company Pages Tuesday, April 30: YouTube and Creating Video Content Tuesday, May 7: Pinterest and Digital Photography Tuesday, May 21: Blogging on WordPressTuesday, May 28: Google+ and Google+ HangoutsWinter Webinar Special for Individuals: Buy 2, Get 1 Free - Buy 3, Get 2 Free - Buy 4, Get 3 Free - or Buy 5, Get 4 Free!
Winter Webinar Special for Groups :: New! 1) To make social and mobile training cost-effective for nonprofits that have multiple staff in many in different locations, the $119 group rate per webinar has been expanded to allow up to 10 individual registrations – or two conference room logins. The group webinars can also be purchased at the discounted rates of buy 2, get 1 free – buy 3, get 2 free – buy 4, get 3 free – or buy 5, get 4 free. 2) Also, if you want to purchase webinar credits in bulk, the cost is $500 for 20 webinar registrations. These credits can then be redeemed at any time by any staff member, colleague or friend.
Services Offered by DIOSA Communications Social Media and Mobile Technology Training and Public Speaking Social Media and Online Communications Audits Social Media and Online Communications Consulting Coming 2013!
Thank you, Heather Mansfield Web: diosacommunications.com Blog: nonprofitorgsblog.org Mobile: nonprofitorgs.mobi LinkedIn: linkedin.com/heathermansfield