- Reading time: 3 mins
- Topics:
- Social Media
The Google+ social media platform offers businesses many of the same features as Facebook and other social sites. Through Google+ you can make posts, target your audience (with circles), and update photos and information about your business.
Another feature Google+ provides, which is not offered with most social media sites, is the opportunity to broadcast your own live video online to broad or targeted audiences through Google Hangouts. Here are a few benefits of using Google Hangouts to enhance your business’s marketing and working environment.
Choose your audience. Google Hangouts can be broadcasted live, allowing anyone to hear and watch you, but giving you the option to select who can participate during the video. These live Hangouts—called Hangouts on Air—are great for promoting products and services, or for sharing your industry knowledge to anyone who is interested. You can also use Hangouts in a private setting, such as holding an online business meeting or collaborating with co-workers when you are out of the office.
Share your screen. Whether you are using your Hangout session for work or marketing purposes, you have the option to allow your viewers to see the screen that you are connected on. If you are working from home or are traveling, for instance, you could use Google Hangouts to connect with your employees and see the digital projects they are working on in real time. You can also use this feature to help provide customer service to clients through the visuals on your screen, rather than explaining over the phone. If you are using Google Hangouts to share information about your brand or industry related topics, the screen sharing feature could also provide the benefit of displaying PowerPoint slides without having to provide a separate file for viewers to follow along. You can even watch YouTube videos with participants in your Hangout!
Promote your video. Hangouts on Air can broadcast in High Definition (HD) on Google+, YouTube, and your website. Even when you are live, your Hangout session is recorded and saved to your YouTube channel. This feature gives you easy access to your video so you can later share it on a platform that most people are familiar with.
Google Hangouts provide businesses with a fun, easy-to-use platform to share industry knowledge with business professionals, promote products and services to potential clients, conveniently connect with co-workers, and more! Hangouts are available on desktop, mobile, and tablet devices—making it even easier to take advantage of its many features! If you’re unsure about using Google Hangouts for your business, check out the Hangouts on Air schedule to see what leaders in your industry are talking about!