Last week I shared some very simple tips on how to use Google Plus. Those were meant for those of us who had an account but hadn’t done a thing with it other than take a look, shrug, and say “Not another social network! Who has time???”
That post talked about adding people to your circles as well as how to share a post: two quick and easy things to do to get you started on Google Plus. Hopefully, it showed you that Google+ is not scary!
However, it wouldn’t be a “social” network if that was all you did. After all, when you joined Twitter, you didn’t just follow people and send out links to your own posts. Or if you did, you might want to check out this list of Twitter Don’ts before we tackle Google Plus. Today, we’ll get a little further into Google Plus, slowly adding to our to-do list!
Home Feed
In the left sidebar, you’ll see a “Home” button. Click on that to see posts from everyone you follow. At the top, you’ll see options to only see posts from people in certain circles and you can choose which you’d like to see. Helpful to choose your “friends” circle if you are just hopping on for a few minutes to see what those people are doing and not what everyone you circle is doing, though be sure to check out some of your other circles or even “all,” since after all, you circled people for a reason! Comment on some posts, visit a few links, +1, or share posts that interest you.
On the right, you’ll see “People You May Know,” an easy tool to add more people to your circles. You’ll also see what’s trending on Google+: click on any of those topics to find out what people are buzzing about(though don’t click on True Blood if it’s trending and you haven’t had a chance to watch the latest episode! Total spoiler).
Explore
The “Explore” button can also be found in the left sidebar. Click on that for more trending topics as well as popular posts. It’s a good way to step out of your usual circles and see what else is going on, whether it’s world news or something fun like who is playing Finnick in the next Hunger Games movie or the latest photo/video that “everyone” is talking about.
Take Ten
Commit to spending just ten minutes a day on Google+ for the next week and see how you like it. It’s easy to say you don’t like something new if you don’t give it a try. Use some of the tips in last week’s post and this week’s to get you started. There’s even more you can do on Google+ like Events and Hangouts and you might find yourself wanting to explore those as you get more into G+.
Don’t forget to add me to your Circles!
This was helpful, thanks for the tips! I haven’t really gotten into Google + yet. It’s hard to keep up with all these social networks.
There are so many of them. But it seems like g+ is worth spending some time on. I’m trying, anyway!
I still have so much to learn about this!
Trying to take it a bit at a time!
I like the idea of just spending 10 minutes a day on it to start with. Thanks Shell!
Not so intimidating if you look at it that way!
Great tips. Google+ still isn’t my favorite thing, but I do try to get on once a day.
I feel the same way. Though the more time I spend on it, the more I like it.
Thanks for the tips. I’m warming up to it a little bit, but getting to it is sometimes hard. I love the 10 min a day idea.
10 minutes is totally doable, right? 🙂
I REALLY need to get with it and use mine more! So thank you for these great tips!
That’s how I felt about mine. Am trying to do better.
My kids go back to school tomorrow.
I think I can spare ten minutes a day starting then…
(That’s a great recommendation, by the way. If only I can stick to ten minutes!)
Ha. Nothing wrong with a little more time, but I figured this was something easy to start with.
I try to use Google+ a little more each day! One of my goals has been to try and get people to interact with one another… it’s been a challenge that’s for sure!
Such good tips! It really can make a huge difference.
I think this is exactly what I need to do to shake things up a bit. Thanks for the tip and the reminder to get it going!
Great tips! I haven’t spent much time on Google+ at all. I couldn’t keep up with everything. I like the idea of spending just 10 minutes at first!
I’ve been trying to get better at using Google + and spending more time there. I’m glad you talked about how to filter the posts that I see because I keep seeing posts from people I’m not following so need to change my settings. Great info Shell.
Love this…and funny because I was just searching for some good “how to’s” for google+. I know every other form of social media like the back of my hand…but google+? I am clueless! I just did a google hangout a couple weeks ago and that is what triggered me to be like, “Wow, this is pretty cool.” Thanks for sharing these tips!
I’m enjoying these tips and getting some new ways to use G+. Do you know how we can NOT see news stories from someone? (Without removing them from circles)
I have to say that your first post on G+ motivated me to activate my otherwise dormant account.
One of my to-do items for when the kids go back to school is to play, and explore and “Join the conversation,” similar to what I did with Twitter a few months ago. Thank you for the pointers!
10 minutes it totally doable and I’ve been trying to do that lately and it seems less overwhelming. If you +1 a post, is that akin to liking it?