Google+: Good. Clean. Fun.

A friend of mine recently asked me, "Are you an expert on Google+?"

At the time, I replied no. I'm still no expert, but since then, I have tired to learn as much as possible about Google+ – because it's a must in the world of social media marketing.

Here is a wonderful source of info on Google+, written by Colby Brown. In addition to lots of great how-to info, Colby sets the record straight about the Terms of Service.

Condensing what I know about Google+:

It's good - good for growing your business, making contacts, sharing information.

It's clean - I just love the super clean design.

It's fun - I, and all my friends and associates, are having more fun on Google+ than on any other social media platform.

I will be talking about Google+ in the Business/Social Media segment of my creativeLive class. I hope to see you there!

Explore the light,
Rick

P.S. Here is my Google+ page.

Why Use Google+ ?

This is the shortest blog post I've ever posted. 

It's for all those involved with social media.

Check out this article by Kelvin Newman.

Explore the light,
Rick

Is Google+ The Next Big Social Media Marketing Tool?

Well, I've only had my Google+ account up for about a for a week - and I'm loving it. (Google+ is not officially launched. You need an invite to join.)


I'm not alone in lovin' Google+. Many of my fellow professional photographer friends (more than 50) are currently in my main Circle (a cool feature that lets you make select groups). What's more,  even a few well-respected pros are having Hangouts (where you can quickly and easily set up live video chats with folks in Circles).


I'm lovin' how easy it is to upload a picture, and a bunch of pictures - and to share those pictures. Adding links and videos is easy, too.


All this stuff is easy to learn with the videos that Google+ offers.


I also like the super clean look of Google+ pages. That look makes one's pictures really stand out.


Getting back to my fellow professional photographers, many are starting to use Google+ as an additional social media marketing tool - adding it to twitter and facebook as ways to spread the word about the stuff they are doing. Guess what? Me, too!


So if you are a pro or an aspiring pro, I'd recommend that you check out Google+ and look at its possibilities are as marketing tool. In the meantime, my guess is that your fellow photographers will be doing just that. :-)


Of course, Google+ is also great for keeping up-to-date with what your family members and close friends are doing. Yup! Just create another Circle.


Take a tour of Google+. Stay tuned for the official launc.


Explore the light,
Rick


P.S. I'll be covering many topics on my creativeLive class in October, including the Business Side of Photography/Social Media Marketing. I'm sure by then I'll be much more into Google+ . . . . and whatever new social media marketing tools come our way. Hope to see you there.

Is Google+ The Next Big Marketing Tool?

Well, I've only had my Google+ account up for about a for a week - and I'm loving it. (Google+ is not officially launched. You need an invite to join.)


I'm not alone in lovin' Google+. Many of my fellow professional photographer friends (more than 50) are currently in my main Circle (a cool feature that lets you make select groups). What's more,  even a few well-respected pros are having Hangouts (where you can quickly and easily set up live video chats with folks in Circles).


I'm lovin' how easy it is to upload a picture, and a bunch of pictures - and to share those pictures. Adding links and videos is easy, too.


All this stuff is easy to learn with the videos that Google+ offers.


I also like the super clean look of Google+ pages. That look makes one's pictures really stand out.


Getting back to my fellow professional photographers, many are starting to use Google+ as an additional social media marketing tool - adding it to twitter and facebook as ways to spread the word about the stuff they are doing. Guess what? Me, too!


So if you are a pro or an aspiring pro, I'd recommend that you check out Google+ and look at its possibilities are as marketing tool. In the meantime, my guess is that your fellow photographers will be doing just that. :-)


Of course, Google+ is also great for keeping up-to-date with what your family members and close friends are doing. Yup! Just create another Circle.


Take a tour of Google+. Stay tuned for the official launc.


Explore the light,
Rick


P.S. I'll be covering many topics on my creativeLive class in October, including the Business Side of Photography/Social Media Marketing. I'm sure by then I'll be much more into Google+ . . . . and whatever new social media marketing tools come our way. Hope to see you there.

Rick at Google x2 Plus Google+

With all the buzz over Google+ this week, I thought I'd re-post a previous post on Google+.

 

I have received many emails about the Terms of Service. See below. Check out the bold type, which was omitted from some blog posts. Important stuff.

 

Also, since diving into Google+, I have been following what my friend Trey Ratcliff is doing with it, including his Hangouts. Quite cool! Read Trey's take on Google+: Google+ is Great for Photographers.

 

• • •

 

Last year, I was honored to be invited (thanks to an intro by my friend Tray Ratcliff of Stuck in Customs fame) to speak at the Googlplex. Here's the YouTube link to my talk. 

I'll be speaking again at Google in October. I'll also be giving a lighting demo, along with my friend Derrick Story of The Digital Story fame) to the Google camera club. Again, quite an honor.

Speaking of Google, I know much has been written on the Web about Google plus - and the Terms of Service. I have put in bold extra important statements that you should consider -  important points that were not mentioned in some posts.

11.1    You retain copyright and any other rights you already hold in Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. By submitting, posting or displaying the content you give Google a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any Content which you submit, post or display on or through, the Services. This license is for the sole purpose of enabling Google to display, distribute and promote the Services and may be revoked for certain Services as defined in the Additional Terms of those Services.

11.2    You agree that this license includes a right for Google to make such Content available to other companies, organizations or individuals with whom Google has relationships for the provision of syndicated services, and to use such Content in connection with the provision of those services.

11.3    You understand that Google, in performing the required technical steps to provide the Services to our users, may (a) transmit or distribute your Content over various public networks and in various media; and (b) make such changes to your Content as are necessary to conform and adapt that Content to the technical requirements of connecting networks, devices, services or media. You agree that this license shall permit Google to take these actions.

Hey, this is all brand new to me, too. I'll keep you posted as to how I'll be using this service.


Explore the light,
Rick