Must Have Blog Resource: Google Plus Custom Links

By Meg Hodson

We all know how important links on your blog are and incoming links to your blog from other sites (think Pinterest).  What we sometimes forget about are those "hidden links" that help us in our search engine presence and overall web presence.  Every time you add a button to someone else's blog, you are creating a link to your blog!  Every time you leave a comment and leave a clickable link, you are improving your link presence to your blog (if you don't know how to do that, read my article here).  

Then, there are the links we add to our profiles on other sites.  If you have a Facebook page for your blog, you have undoubtedly created links on your timeline to your blog, Twitter profile, etc.  Maybe you use Linked In.  If you use Instagram, you can add one profile link.  These are all very important.   Google+ has an enhanced version of this process and a lot of people don't know about it!  Plus, Google is becoming increasingly important for bloggers and their web presence.  So, in my opinion, it's worth the few minutes to update your profile as much as you can, including those all-important links.  

First, go to your Google+ profile page.  Across the top of your feed (below your cover photo and photo), there is a menu.  Click on the "About" menu link.

Then, scroll down through the various "boxes" until you find the one marked "Links".  At the bottom of that box is an edit button; click on edit.

Once you click edit, you are taken to a screen where you can edit various links for your profile.  There are 3 important spots to cover here.  First, click on the "Manage Connected Accounts" link:

Once you click on that link, you are taken to a list and a drop down menu.  The drop down menu has just a few basic connected accounts you can add (Facebook, LinkedIn, You Tube, etc.).  This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but enter what you can.  Add as many as you like and be sure to save.

Now, I am not sure where these go exactly in your profile.  When you are done and you go back to your links screen, they aren't really displayed.  So, that's why I like to also go to the "add custom link" link, which is right above the "manage connected accounts" link.  When you click on this, a label and link box for one link will appear.  Under label, enter something like "Instagram" and then add the link in the next box.  You can keep clicking the "add custom link" as many times as you like to add more links.  Be sure to scroll to the bottom and hit save when you are done.  Now, cute little icons with links that you've added are displayed now.  

Lastly, let's work on the "Contributor to" section at the bottom of the link section.  Click edit again in the link box and you're taken to the edit screen.  At the bottom is the "Contributor to" screen; click the "add custom link" link below that (or it will appear below any links that have already been entered).  

So, once you click on that, a quick editing box drops down.  This is similar to the custom link you entered above.  For a label, enter the title that you want (that might be your blog title, a blog you guest blogged on, etc.).  To the right of that is a drop down menu to select if you are a current contributor or past contributor. Lastly, in the 2nd box, add the link you would like associated with this title.  You can keep adding the links over and over until you are done.  Be sure to hit save at the bottom.  

Don't limit yourself in this last section!  Of course, you want any blogs you write for here, but think of other things you can highlight.  Links to blog posts you've posted on Blog Her, Sverve, and other blogger network sites are good.  Maybe you had a recipe that was featured on Foodgawker......add the link! Also consider adding blog hops that you sponsor or co-host.  The more, the merrier!  This is not only good for your search engine presence, but visitors of your Google+ profile can see your accolades as a blogger.

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog.  Cheers!

Must Have Blog Resource: Google + Communities

In my ongoing look at Google +, today I will focus on Google + communities.  I like to think of G+ communities akin to making lists in Twitter or defining your friends in Facebook.  You are "hanging out" with other users that you have something in common with.  

To start getting familiar with communities, click on the "Communities" icon on the left menu bar within Google +.  You will be taken to a main page.  If you belong to any communities already, those will be listed at the top.  Then, there will be a "Discover Communities" section where there will be some suggested communities based on your user habits, as well as a search box to discover topics on your own.  On this same page, if you feel so inclined, you can create your own community, too.

Communities are either public or private.  Most of the communities I am a part of are private.  I have received personal invitations from fellow bloggers to join their community.  But occasionally there will be public ones, too.  I think the private communities are a little more personable and focused.  

Once you are a member of a community, it is important to be involved.  Visit your communities' board much like you would Facebook.  Thoughtfully scroll through what people have shared.  Most communities will provide subcategories for people to share to.  For example, if a blogger wants you to pin something for them, there might be a sub-topic called "Pinterest" or "Pin Pals".  On a given day, if you just want to click on a subcategory and browse only that section of your community, you can.

When users share something within the community, you will receive an email notification of the share (if you have enabled email notifications within your settings). You will also see a notification in that bouncing red box on the top right corner within any Google application.  I like using that notification box if I am short on time; I can quickly scroll through recent posts by others and see if any are must reads. 

One of my favorite communities I am a part of is Blog Billion, started by Krystal Sousa. She runs two blogs:  Sunny Soirees and Krystal's Kitsch.  Here's what she had to say in regards to why she started her community:

Why I Started Blog Billion:

I have so many articles, ideas, and websites that I find throughout the day that not only help me but would help others. I really wanted a forum where people could connect and I could share all these helpful links! I also thought that Google+ is a new and developing platform. Facebook is constantly changing and I worried with all the changes a community would get lost in everyone's newsfeeds. I thought Google+ would be efficient (basically everyone has a Gmail account anyway!), and it would be a great way for others to learn how to use communities.

Benefits:
Another place to share your blog links and connect with bloggers. Since we have started, link up partners have been found, collaborations have begun, and our group has grown to over 60. I hope to make that number 100 at the end of the month.

I'm proud to report that she is up to 95 members!

So, have fun, network, and use Google+ communities to your advantage!

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog.  Cheers!
Follow @happykidsinc Meg on Pinterest!

Must Have Blog Resource: Google +

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Google +.  Many of you use it everyday, but maybe don't know all the bells and whistles that go along with it.  This article is information-heavy; I will warn you right now!  And even this doesn't cover every nook of information that is the behemoth that is Google +.  Because of that fact, I have decided to give you an overview of each section of Google +.  I am planning on follow-up blog posts to highlight each of these sections of Google + a little deeper.  Treat this as a starting point to grow your knowledge and use of Google +.  One fact should resonate with you now and at the end:  if you blog, you need to be actively using this must have blog resource, Google +

Home.  Just what it implies, it is your home "feed" where you will see everything shared by people you have added to your profile and communities you are a member of.

Profile.  This is very similar to the home page in Facebook.  It's your profile, your photos, who you follow, and all the posts you have added to Google +.

Explore.  This is a great section if you are desire to find out about a particular subject, famous person, or topic.  You will see trends (similar to trends on Twitter), suggested communities based on your activity and people in your circles, as well as a general search function.  This is where the importance of using hash tags in your posts becomes important.  I think users forget about hash tags in Google +.  Don't! These are important, especially if you are posting publicly or want people to find the topic you are posting about.

Circles.  What are circles?   Think of them as lists that you organize into categories.  When you first create your Google Plus profile, you will create what are called "Circles".  Google has some pre-set circle titles, such as "Friends" and "Public".  You can, of course, use these or not use these.  You can also create your own circles.  You may have business contacts, for example.  So, as a blogger, it would be a good idea to have ones like "Bloggers", "Sponsors", and similar ones catered to how you want to share.

A lot of users wonder this:  Once you share a post or article on Google+, it does get posted to your home page in Google +.  So, if anyone were to visit your profile page, they would see what you have shared.  It also gets posted to the feed of others that have you in their circles.  If you've posted something to the "Public" circle, it may show up in search engines.

But what about when you share to circles you have created? What does it mean exactly when you share something via Google + with specific circles?  As stated above, if you share to circles where those people have you in their circles, then they will see the post in their home feed.  But, if you have added people to your circles that don't have you in their circles, they will simply get a notification that you have shared something with them.  This used to come via the magical red box next to your profile picture in the top right corner when you are in any Google program (i.e., Gmail, Picasa, etc.).  Recently, Google has added an email notification, where you will get a "this person is sharing with you, add them to your circles" email.

Furthermore, there is the option to include an email notification when you share something via Google +.  It's a small box that you check below the comments box and circles box.  This is a great option, although Google will limit the number of recipients that can receive such an email.

Once you add someone to an existing circle, all of the content that you previously shared with that circle (before the new person was a member) will now be visible to them. If they add you to their circles, posts you've shared with them will also appear on their Home page.

When you add someone who's already using Google+ to one of your circles for the first time, that person may receive a notification that you've added them. If you add them to additional circles, they won't receive additional notifications.

Photos. Similar to your home feed, this section focused on your photos.  I haven't played around with this section very much, but I like the idea of it being a "storage ground" for all your photos.  I also like the app option, as I take almost all of my photos exclusively on my phone.

Communities.  Ahh, this is fast becoming my favorite part of Google +!  I first found out about communities from one of my favorite blogging friends, Krystal.  She writes both for Krystal's Kitsch and Sunny Soirees.  She started an incredible community called "Blog Billion".  This was my first taste of the power of communities.  Think of a community as a place for your to hangout, share ideas, and network with other users in a given topic or area of interest.  This section will display any communities you are a member of at the top, followed by suggestions and themes of communities you might want to get involved in.  I like to think of these as an "ongoing, active blog hop".  I am constantly posting with others, sharing my latest blog posts, and chatting with the members of the communities I am active in.  One word of advice:  be active!

p.s. Look for a follow-up article next week profiling communities more in-depth, with an extensive profile on Krystal!

Events.  This works very similar to creating an event on Facebook.  But if you are a blogger, don't neglect the power of this section.  If you are hosting a giveaway or other standout event on your blog, be sure to share it here!

Overwhelmed yet? I know, it's a lot of information.  My recommendation is to explore each section slowly and carefully.  And look for my upcoming follow-up posts that hone in on these subcategories of Google+ and really explain all that they have to offer.

If you like what you're reading, I invite you to follow my blog.  Cheers!