Social Media Marketing: Move Over Facebook — Why Freelance Writers Can No Longer Ignore Google+
January 24, 2013
I’ve had a Google+ account for a few months now – maybe six months or so. I only recently started interacting on it regularly, which for me means posting at least once a day four to five times a week. I recently got on the first page of Google for a keyword phrase I’d been targeting for a few months.How I Got on the First Page of Google Using Google+
As an SEO writing company owner, I’m always trying to rank well for keywords in my niche, of course. One I’d been trying to get on the first page of Google for – for a few months — was “SEO content writing.”
After sharing just one post via my Google+ profile, there I was – in TWO SPOTS on the first page of Google for that phrase; the number three spot was via my Google+ profile; the other was via a link from one of my websites (this was last week). View following graphic to see what I mean (click to get larger view).
In my opinion, the second result (which was the last one on the first page) only happened because Google recognized me as somewhat of an authority in this niche via the content I shared on my Google+ page.
TODAY as I was writing this post, I sent out another link via my Google+ profile on SEO writing, ie:
5 Trends Shaping SEO & Content Marketing in 2013 [by @textbroker http://sewat.ch/W8ZISl via @sewatch
Guess what happened?
Within MINUTES (literally!) of sending out this link, there my Google+ profile was again – in position #2 on the first page -- when I did a search for the keyword phrase “SEO Content Writing” (without quotes).
See (again, click to get larger view)?
So again, you can’t ignore Google+, even if it hasn’t caught on like a house of fire a la Facebook and Twitter.
How Google+ Increases Your Influence in Search Results Returned
Via it’s “Search, plus Your World” feature, Google returns results based on your social connections. It’s explained this way in the link above:
Google Search has always been about finding the best results for you. Sometimes that means results from the public web, but sometimes it means your personal content or things shared with you by people you care about. . . . [The Search, plus Your World feature allows you to] find your own stuff on the web, [via] the people you know and things they’ve shared with you, as well as the people you don’t know but might want to… all from one search box.
Your Google Search Isn’t My Google Search – and How That Can Help You
Take the example I used above about getting on the first page of Google for “SEO Content Writing”. I only appear on page 1 for this keyword phrase When I’m logged into my Google+ account. Why? Because I – or someone in one of my circles – has shared content on this topic. So Google figures I’d much rather be directed to content from a “trusted source,” ie, someone in my Google+ network, than from an “unknown” in a general web search.
See now how Google combines your searches with your social connections?
“But,” you may be wondering, “if you’re not on the first page in a general search, how does that benefit you?”
Quite frankly, it’s about building an authority with a group of people you may want to do business with.
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P.S.: Join me in Jamaica and learn how to start a high-paying career as an SEO writer. Limited enrollment (which closes soon!), accommodations included. Click thru to get full details on registration, deadlines (it’s soon!), etc.
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Freelance Writers: How to Use Google+ to Find Writing Jobs – An Example
Imagine if you’re a freelance writer who specializes in medical content. Let’s say you have 200 pharmaceutical companies in your circles. Let’s further say they’re searching for a freelance pharmaceutical writer and they go online to do a search for one.
If you’re part of THEIR circle, your profile is likely to be returned in their search results. So instead of having to compete with EVERY freelance pharmaceutical writer on the web, you only have to compete with the few other freelance pharmaceutical writers who may be part of their circle(s).
Talk about cutting the competition down to size! This is the advantage of making Google+ one of your go-to social media marketing outlets. Speaking of . . .
Freelancers: 3 Reasons to Use Google+ as Part of Your Social Media Marketing Strategy
Google+ IS Google: This was so brilliantly pointed out in the post, Why Google+ is an Inevitable Part of Your Content Marketing Strategy, on Copyblogger.
Keep Track of What Google Is Doing: There are dozens of search engines. However, most SEO experts routinely operate with the “Big 3” in mind, eg, Google, Bing (MSN), and Yahoo. Google, by far, is the most popular of these.
Proof?
A 2012 survey by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that 83% percent of U.S. search engine users rated Google as their preferred search engine. That was up from 47 percent in 2004.
By interacting on Google+, it’s easier to stay on top of what Google is doing. They’re constantly changing and love’em or hate’em, unless you don’t care about search engine traffic, you must, must, must stay on top of what they’re doing.
Crystallize Your Social Media Marketing Plan: One thing being a part of Google+ has brought home to me is the need to become very clear about who to seek out – and interact with – on social media. Sure, I knew this from Twitter, and just recently Facebook.
But using the example I gave above about being a freelance pharmaceutical writer, you can see how important it is to seek out those you want to do business with – and create / share content that is relevant to them.
My Social Media Marketing Accounts & How I Interact on Them
If you’re a long-time reader of this blog, you know that Twitter is my favorite social media outlet. I got a Facebook page for my SEO writing company back in September (2012), but just recently started interacting there as well.
I’ve had a LinkedIn account for a few years, but don’t really interact there (yet!) other than to connect with those who request to connect with me.
Same thing with Pinterest — have an account, have yet to Pin anything (I’m gonna get around to it — I swear!).
My Take: The Future of Social Media Marketing (At Least the Next 5 Years) & What It Means for Freelancers
Social media marketing is time consuming, and it takes a commitment over the long haul to be successful via this type of marketing, especially as it’s still relatively new. BUT, it is extremely effective in keeping your name/brand constantly in front of old and potential new customers – and that’s why you need to be a part of it as a freelance writer (online entrepreneur).
I think it’s going to take probably two or three more years – at the outside five – before businesses start really clamoring to be on all of these sites. And who knows what other ones besides the five I’ve mentioned here will become crazy popular.
This gives you some time to build up your community(ies) on them – so you can be right smack dab in your client’s faces WHEN they do join.
And they will . . . oh trust me they will.
The key is, will you be one of the freelancers ready to capitalize off of it.
Freelance Writers: Add Social Media Consulting / Management to Your List of Services
It’s so easy to do! See info below.
And, if you have questions about Google+, or insight you can share, please do so in the comments below or on Google+. All of this stuff is so new, so the more we share with eachother, the quicker we can all be up to speed.
Personally Speaking . . . .
Winter finally decided to descend here in the ATL (Atlanta), but it’s still not as cold as I’d like. I miss snow and 20 degree temps. Sighhhhhh . . . .
Hope you’re having a great week!
Yuwanda
Find this post informative? Don’t forget to share it on Google+.
Earn $200-$300 Per Hour as a Social Media Consultant: Did you know that the average rate many freelancers charge to manage social media accounts for clients is $200-$300 per HOUR? They do — and you can too. Learn everything you need to know to start a high-paying career as a social media consultant.
P.P.S.: Want to start a successful career where you have the mobility to live and work where you please? Visit our freelance writing bookstore for a ton of opportunities (freelance writing and internet marketing) to get you started.
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4 Responses to “Social Media Marketing: Move Over Facebook — Why Freelance Writers Can No Longer Ignore Google+”
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Excellent advice, Yuwanda. I’ve been on G+ since the start, though I’ve been on-again, off-again with posting there. However, I recently decided to get more active again.
@Sharon:
You’re ahead of the game!
I have to say though, since I’ve made social media (beyond Twitter) part of my daily activities, it’s more seamless than I thought.
I’m active on 3 social media sites now regularly. Now, I just have to get on it with LinkedIn and Pinterest. Five sites to stay active on — whew, it might get hairy after all!
Yes, I’m on Twitter, Facebook (page) and G+ and am getting better on LinkedIn. I also have a Quora profile which keeps getting followers despite my relative inactivity.
@Sharon:
Oh nooooooo! Not another one to add (Quora). Siiiiggghhhh …