Profile or Page – Branding On Google Plus – Martin Shervington

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Martin Shervington is a scholar. He has mastered law, psychology, and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP). He even moved to San Francisco for six months to take a course in stand-up comedy.

Shervington has done (and does) a BUNCH of stuff. Once he discovered Google+, though, Martin KNEW it was the place for him to dig in and focus.

Jason Wiser interviewed Shervington for an On Track Tips Hangout on Air – and ended with the crowd demanding, “Bring Martin back! Bring Martin back!”

The guy’s a superstar.

Let’s get down to it. Which IS better? Should you focus on a personal profile for Google +, or would you be better off building a branded page for your business?

Martin Shervington’s short course: 5 reasons you need a Google+ profile

1. Your profile is your digital identity. It is YOU. Pages are centered on business or brand identity. A profile is personal – people relate to people better than to brands.
2. Only profiles were eligible for Google authorship – there may be search advantages still.
3. You can add an entire circle to your profile, and all of those people will be notified. Many will follow you back. Pages won’t generate those notifications.
4. Your Google+ profile can be your hub … somewhere to keep all your content linked to one place.
5. You can post what you want, without having to worry about brand. You can be yourself on a Google+ profile, but you must be mindful of branding on a business page.

Martin Shervington’s other short course: 5 reasons you might need a G+ Page

1. A page can have up to 50 managers, so you never have to (or should) give out the password to your personal profile. That means pages offer more flexibility.
2. Pages offer insights and analytics not available with a profile. Analytics help you determine whether your strategy is working or not.
3. Pages can be sold as part of a business. A Google+ page is an outreach station for your website. It creates value in its own right.
4. There are several 3rd party apps that allow you to schedule posts for a page, but only two allow you to schedule for a profile. DoShare Chrome extension, and NOD3x
5. Your local page is tied directly to Google Palces, Maps, and reviews. For local businesses, especially, that is a MUST!

The bottom line to the question of whether you should ramp up a Google+ profile or a Google+ page is that there’s no easy answer. The question you need to ask yourself is, “Which is better for my business?”

In the final analysis, helping you find accurate information and ask the right questions of yourself and your business is what On Track Tips is all about.

Many people choose to do both: Maintain a personal profile AND a business page. And, for some, that is the correct solution. Hey, let’s face it … it really is all about YOU!

A you-gotta-do-this TIP:

Run a Google audit to find out where your properties are and how to get them working in unison. Determine how you can get the most effect out of your total assets. Consider repurposing content in different forms across your various channels.

What about advertising on Google+?

It’s a let-down for many brands and businesses. Google advertising (AdWords) does not yet extend to Google+. You can, however, link your AdWords ad to your Google+ page. That allows both the page and the ad to share +1’s.

Why would you want to advertise in the first place? Word on the street is that engagement doesn’t sell; engagement is but the beginning of the relationship. Advertising allows you to keep showing up on other channels for your potential customer.

But … that discussion is going to have to wait for the next episode with Martin Shervington.

Also check:

• 10 Reasons to avoid Gplus.to for your Google plus vanity URL
• Google Plus TNG – Strategy for the Future

About wisersites

Host of "Get on Track, Stay on Track" weekly interview series, helping your small business one expert at a time.And CEO of Wiser Sites, a general contractor and marketing agency - connecting your customers with your products.