How to Use Google+ to Boost our Community

Just like Facebook and Twitter, Google+ can be a game changer for bloggers. It can not only drive a ton of traffic to blogs, it provides bloggers with the opportunity to interact with their audience in a deeper fashion. Google+ could be a great community-building tool if you dedicate enough time to being involved on it. Here are 6 quick ways you can use Google+ to build a more solid community:

1. ask questions: I have seen many successful Google+ users take advantage of this approach to engage their fellow community members and get the discussions started. Some bloggers even use the feedback they get on their questions to write more informative and thought-provoking blog posts.
2. ask for feedback: Google+ provides you with instant feedback. If you are connected with a few hundred people (at least) on Google+, there is no reason you can’t gauge your followers’ interest in the topics you intend to write about on your blog. Just use your creativity to avoid turning your followers off.
3. watch top stories: there are a ton of content curators on Google+. By connecting with these folks and following the top stories, you will get a better understand for the pulse of your niche market at any moment. This approach may also help you find more topics to cover on your blog. 
4. throw contests and giveaways: people love getting their hands on free things. Giveaways and contests are popular on Twitter and Facebook. They work great on Google+ too. Of course, you do not want to give things away just for the sake of doing so. Doing your research and setting up your content to gain valuable information from the participants in return is a good idea.
5. connect with potential partners: sometimes, knowing the right person opens new and unexpected doors of opportunity for you. Google+ is a great place to find other top players in your niche market and expand your network. You never know what opportunities open up as you meet and network with other professionals online.
6. provide value: this should go without saying. Whether you are sharing your own stories online or voting for top stories written by other bloggers, your goal should be to provide some value to those who have circled you. Smart bloggers are using Google+ to further distinguish themselves as authority figures in their markets.

In order to get the most out of Google+, a coherent plan is required. Using Google+ like a headless chicken won’t boost your business. But as long as you know your end goal and take time to be involved on Google+, there is no reason Google+ can’t be a big boost for your publishing business.