How to Set Up a Google+ Hangout and Why You Should {Guest Post}

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I am very excited to introduce today’s guest blogger, Jennifer Barbour from Another Jennifer! She is truly a great resource…you should definitely check out her blog! Today we’ll be talking about Google+ Hangouts…if you are wondering how to set one up, help is on the way! Jennifer uses them on a regular basis, and I am thrilled she is going to share her tips with us today! 

Google+ is quietly becoming my favorite social media platform. As I become more active on it, I realize the benefits it brings me as a blogger and an entrepreneur.

For one thing, posting on Google+ helps with my search engine rankings. Because it’s Google! I’ve also noticed the network has become much more active lately. More people are “plussing” and sharing posts, and I find I’m networking with more bloggers, entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations on a regular basis.

Google+ is the second largest social network in the world, behind – you guessed it – Facebook. I’ve even heard some people predict that it will surpass Facebook by the end of the year. (That would be impressive, considering Facebook’s numbers, but you never know.)

But one of my favorite features of Google+ is Google+ Hangouts. Hangouts allow you to talk with friends and colleagues via video or message. The best part about a Google+ Hangout is that it’s free!

I’ve used Google+ Hangouts in a few ways. I’ve had meetings with potential partners, held one-on-one coaching sessions with clients and simply chatted with other blogger friends about writing and life. I haven’t used it to allow my kids talk to my parents yet, but I’m thinking that’s coming soon.

A Google+ Hangout is a great way to get face-to-face time with people who aren’t in the same state. You can even share your screen with the person you are on a hangout with, showing the person everything from cool pics to a professional presentation.

So how do you set up a Google+ Hangout? It’s super easy!

1. Click on the green quote button on the top right side of your Google+ page. This will bring up your Hangouts list.

2. Hit the + button at the top right of your Hangouts list.

It will then ask you to type in a person’s name, email address, phone number or choose a circle from your Google+ account. Once the person shows up below, check the box next to their name. Keep doing this until you have all the people you want in your hangout listed. You can have up to ten in a hangout.

3. At the bottom of the screen, choose either message or video call.

That’s it! Your recipient will get an alert on their phone, tablet or computer. All they have to do is accept your request to connect, and you’re in business.

If you want to schedule a hangout in the future, you can do so on your events page.  (Hover over the red G+ logo on the top left hand corner of your Google+ page and scroll down to Events. From there you’ll see a Plan a Hangout button on the top right side of the page. )

You can also hold Hangouts on air, which live stream to your YouTube page, something I’ve done with past Skillshare blogging classes I’ve taught and when I participated in a live discussion with UNICEF and other mom bloggers.

But that’s a blog post for another day. 

How do you use Google+ Hangouts?

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Jennifer Barbour is a copywriter, blogger, aspiring author and new media consultant. She aims to inspire, to entertain and to make you think. Her passions are writing, philanthropy, her awesome family and bacon, though not necessarily in that order. You can find her at anotherjennifer.com and on Facebook, Twitter and, of course, Google+.

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