As you may or may not know I have been conducting a little experiment on G+ the last couple weeks. You can see the experiment details here, but let’s review the “action steps” that were part of this experiment. Then we’ll talk about how I did with them, and the results I got. š
Google + Experiment Action Steps:
1. Sharing an image/quote at least once a day.
2. Sharing some kind of image from our daily life.
3. Sharing some kind of conversation starterā¦ book Iām reading, meditation Iām doingā¦ something.
4. Sharing any blog posts I publish.
5. Following āinfluencersā
6. Following other mom bloggers.
7. Participating in groups.
8. Putting new people in circles daily.
How did I do? Let’s take them one at a time:
1. Sharing an image or quote daily ~ yes. I did this! YAY! It’s actually become a part of my daily routine. I ended up sharing the quotes in 3 G+ communities for positive quotes, and have gotten quite a few +1s and shares from this action.
2. sharing images from daily life: yes and no. I have done this, but not daily. Problem: my phone doesn’t have a direct link to share on G+ so I have to go into the G+ app and share from there, and I’m lazy and haven’t always done that. I also think that it’s been a challenge to get my head around sharing my “life” on G+. That still really feels like the realm of FB, however, when I’ve done it I’ve gotten some good interaction, +1s, and comments… so I guess the facts tell me a different story than the one in my head. š
3. Sharing a conversation starter: I did this fairly consistently, and conversation didn’t really start. I was just scanning back through and realized almost 100% of the conversations that got started were around either an image or a link. Good to know.
4. Sharing blog post. Did this 100%. YAY for me. I am still feeling my way through sharing, and using circles appropriately, but have found when shared with the right circles, and not just public I can get some good conversations going on around my blog posts!
I have also, the last 2 Mondays, shared the direct video to Blog Workshop and had some good conversation on G+ around the show.
5. Following Influencers: yes. I’m following them. I have not been really purposeful though about going in and specifically looking for their stuff (I have been doing that though on Twitter LOL). I do see it come through my stream though, and comment, like and sometimes share it.
6. Following other mom bloggers: I found one other awesome mom blogger that I’m stalking following now. I must admit I haven’t been really looking, and kind of just stumbled onto her. š But love her blog, and have gotten quite a few new connections from the conversations started around her blog posts.
7. Ā Participating in groups: Yes, kind of. š I have shared the images in groups, and have interacted in blogging, and gardening groups off an on… not as consistently as I’d like. However, I’ve gotten into some good conversations in those groups!
8. Putting new people in circles daily: #fail I did not manage to do this… or at least in any organized fashion. There were people who I had conversations with in groups and added them to circles, and people I had conversations with around blog posts and added them, but I did not specifically go out looking for people to add. (and yes, it does still seem like a good idea to me, not sure why I can’t get on it lol).
So, that’s what I did… last week was crazy busy, but I did manage to spend at least some time every day on G+, most of it was actual interaction of some sort… +1ing, or commenting. I made a concerted effort to comment more than +ing because I’ve read it gets people’s attention a bit more.
The results.
So what did all this do for me and my blog eh? That’s the question right?! Let’s take a look at the numbers.
Base numbers: Ā 4/12/14
Followers: 1,853
Page Views to my G+ profile: 138,065
1 week into the experiment (the week I was seriously focused lol)
Numbers taken: 4/22/14
Followers: 1910
Page views to G+ profile: 152,529
2 weeks into the experiment (second week… less focused)
Followers: 1933
Page Views to G+ profile: 165,673
From the start to week one:
Followers: UP 57
Page views: UP 14,464
Second week:
Followers UP 23
page views: Ā UP 13,144
Blog Traffic:Ā
When I started G+ was fourth on my list of referrers (by a LOT).
As I started interacting more there, it definitely started sending more traffic to my site. After the first week it was up to 3rd place.
There were days when it was my top referrer.
And while I can’t say this in any definitive sort of way… since I started this experiment I’ve seen my search traffic increase quite a bit as well… and from multiple different search engines.
Ā My thoughts, and the future of the G+ experiment:
I still find Facebook comfortable. It’s still kind of my “default” when I’m killing time procrastinating. However, G+ is now at the forefront of my mind, and when I start refreshing Facebook I say… oh man, let’s go see what’s going on over at G+, and I do.
I’m finding it’s easier to get into business related conversations, about blogging, and marketing without getting pitched to join this business or that on G+, which I really like. I also find that people are really willing to converse… and not feel like I’m trying to stalk them. š Which is the opposite of how I feel on FB. So it seems easier to me to reach out and meet new people on G+.
For me, this is no longer a G+ experiment… G+ will be part of my daily marketing plan, and I believe, as with any habit, the longer I do it, the easier and more ingrained it will become. I look forward to it and look forward to seeing you over on G+! Ā If we’re not in circles together yet… find me here!Ā
Yes… there is a space for comments below… but why not jump over to G+ and let’s carry on the conversation over there! Did you join the G+ experiment? How did it go for you? I can’t wait to hear!
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