Monday, August 12, 2013

Increasing Traffic With Google Plus!

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Increasing Google Plus


Google Plus

Yesterday I posted about how I was increasing my traffic by building my Pinterest followers.  Today, I am going to share with you how I am growing my Google Plus following.  Six weeks ago I posted about my Social Media and the amount of followers I had then.

My Google Plus followers was just barely over 1000, and that is like one or two.  I joined Google Plus in late December when I first started blogging.  As of today my followers number 1424.  That is close to 10 new followers per day.  

Starting Google Plus

When I got on Google Plus I was pretty slow about getting followers.  I then decided that if I was posting my blog posts there I should make it worth my time.  I started following people.  I looked for weight loss blogs and there just weren't many that weren't fitness blogs with muscle men and women.  I didn't think they would be interested in my level of fitness and I could never achieve their level of fitness.

Since weight loss wasn't the only thing I wrote about I decided to start following mom bloggers.  I am a mom and we have lots of the same issues.  I cook, clean, take care of my family and try to stay healthy.  Most mom bloggers are doing the same things.  I enjoy reading their blogs.  

+1's and Shares

I started getting follow backs.  I then started giving +1's on posts that were interesting.  Then I learned about sharing posts.  If you share someone's post then all your followers see the posts.  People really like getting shared and enjoy getting +1's.  They like knowing someone is appreciating their posts.

People also share and +1 my posts.  That is a great feedback.

Google Plus Circles

Google Plus is also about circles.  You can separate your followers into circles of your own choosing.  You name your circles.  If you have cooking blogs you like you can put those people into cooking circles.  If they are weight loss you can put those into weight loss circles.  I have a circle that has my favorite posters in it.  If I just have a few minutes that will be the one I go to first. 

Google Plus Communities 

Google Plus is also made up of communities.  People invite you to belong to their community.  You don't always follow everyone in the community, but you can post your blogs to a community and all the members of the community can read it.  Some communities are open and you don't need an invitation.  

I belong to several communities and try to interact within the communities.  I have found some great people in the communities. When you interact with people in a community they will follow you and share your posts. 

Some of my Google Plus Communities

Some of my communities include:  Moms & Bloggers, Healthy Living, Quitting Sugar Resources, Fitness & Weight Loss, and Newbie Bloggers Club.

Why Google Plus?

The more people you interact with the more followers you get and thus more traffic.

I really enjoy the interaction with other bloggers.  There are many great people and I have made friends.

Here is my Google Plus account.



23 comments:

  1. Betty, I have only been blogging for five months and I am trying to figure all of this social media out! Thanks for the G+ tips, have to go read your Pinterest post now!

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    1. I have been doing some blogging for about 8 months and this blog for 6 months. I am still learning. Just trying to pass on what I have learned. It is time consuming. I still have to figure out some of the social media. It takes a little time to build followers in each one.

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  2. I haven't really gotten into Google+ much - I'm slowly getting the hang of all this social media stuff... I totally get your point about making your posts worth your time and I'm trying to find that balance between getting the most exposure and interaction, without spending all my non-existent free time! So hard!

    Thanks for the tips! Also wanted to let you know Tips and Tricks Tuesday is open now and I'd love you to link up!

    Kristin

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    1. I posted to Tips and Tricks Tuesday. Time is a big issue with getting going on social media. One of the people that I have been reading suggested spending 15 minutes each day. If you use several social media sites that could add up. I have started building a little at a time.

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  3. I must be the complete opposite! I have no desire to increase my readers!! I mean I love the new ones who find me and come along for the ride but I in now way promote my blog. We are all different and whatever works :)

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    1. Yes, I think it all depends on what you like. I agree whatever works for each of us. I am glad I found your blog!!

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  4. It really makes it so much easier. If you have them all in one circle it is so easy to miss something you are wanting to see. By breaking them into smaller groups you can just find things so much easier. You are into in my group of favorite bloggers so I don't miss any of your posts.

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  5. I love Google+... I have not grown the followers you have but I +share a post I read from a blogger I follow... I love helping to get someone's blog out there and I appreciate when someone shares mine :)

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    1. I see all your shares. I usually read and +1 most of them. You find a lot of good blogs! I enjoy following you around the blog world.

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  6. I really like G+ because it's easy!!

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    1. You're right. I think it is probably the easiest!

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  7. Thanks for the ideas! I use Gmail and should know more about the Google+ than I do, but I have to admit I am not entirely certain what it is and I tend to ignore it. I will check it out!

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    1. I think you would be surprised at how easy it is to figure out. I really like commenting on blog posts on Google Plus more than on the actual blogs. It can become a conversation with other people since it is in the stream.

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  8. You've made something that seems so complicated, at least to me, much simpler to understand. I know that L'm not using Google+ to its full potential. I am very impressed you have only been blogging for 9 months and have so many followers. Bravo!!!

    Barbara @ www.allmylivesnow.com

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    1. Thanks Barbara, I have just been trying to figure these things out. I am not a tech person so I guess I make it simple because that's how I understand it. I like interacting with people.

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  9. I am just starting to get more into Google + but I love it! I'm spending more and more time on there and Pinterest. But I also think it is good to get comfortable with a couple platforms at a time! Visiting from the Doing You Well Blog Hop. :)

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  10. This is the one social media that I am lacking when it comes to working on getting more followers. I really need to work on this. Thanks for the info. I'm starting now by adding you....

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  11. As always Betty...great blogging tips! I've joined a few communities, but I really need to focus on groups that I have more in common with. Thanks for sharing and thanks for linking up! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  12. I really can't get my head around G+ that much - I know I should use it more and be more on top of it all when I was on blogger I would just auto share my posts but now on wordpress I forget all the time.

    I have added you though and shall try and follow some of these tips so thank you :).

    Thank you for link up with the I Love My Post Blog Hop

    Sarah
    Life in a Break Down
    xx

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  13. Thanks for the info. I'm still hesitate to use Google+ but I agree, if we're posting out there why not make it worth while. Thanks for sharing! Stop by my Friday's Five Features and link up this post (and others)! http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/09/fridays-five-features-no-7.html

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  14. Thanks for this post. I have never really know how to handle Google+ and so I don't use it much. You have inspired me to try to figure it out again, and make better use of it. Thanks! I am now following you on Bloglovin. And found you through the Mommy Monday Blog Hop. Have a great day.

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  15. Thank you for your great post on Google+! I have never really known how to use it effectively, and so haven't made good use of this resource. You have inspired me to give it another look. I am not following you on Bloglovin, and found you through the Mommy Monday Blog Hop. Thanks, and have a great day!

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  16. Just shared your post on Google + community A Parents' Guide to Google + :)

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Please take a moment and let me know what you think about this post. I love reading your comments. I try to answer every comment, maybe not immediately, but as quickly as I can.

Thanks!!! Betty