Google+ is a social networking service that is owned and operated by Google. It's robust platform and Google app integrations empowers users to think and share creatively. This document was created for Concordia University Irvine CU Shine Social Media Sessions. Please ask permission to use it for your own training purposes.

1. CU Shine Social Media Series May 21, 2014
BEST 5 USES OF GOOGLE+
1. Google+ Hangouts
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2. Google+ Communities
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Google+ Communities allow you to engage with people who share a similar passion or interest as you.
Communities offer an environment for sharing rich content such as photos, links, videos and even live
Hangouts in a common area that can be made public or private! Posts made to a community will
automatically be
emailed to you which
means no more
logging in and
checking on the
community!
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Learn more at:
www.google.com/+/
learnmore/
communities/
Google+ Hangouts is a great feature that
combines instant messaging and video chat
in one handy location. Group conversations
are enhanced with Google Effects, Docs and
more. Add up to 10 people in one Hangout
at once! See what your friends have read
while they type back, go back to saved
hangout conversations, share Google Docs
in a video hangout and so much more!
Learn more at:
www.google.com/+/
learnmore/hangouts/

2. CU Shine Social Media Series May 21, 2014
3. Google+ App Integration
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Google offers some of the best online applications such as Gmail, Calendar, Drive, and YouTube. Now access
all the Google apps with a single login and watch the magic of integration take place. Need to meet with
someone who is working remotely? Schedule a meeting using Google Calendar and click “Add Video Call”.
Now all guests of the meeting can click on the link within the calendar invite and enjoy a productive Google+
Hangout (Note: attendees will need a Google account to participate). While in a Google+ Hangout, share
documents or videos using Google Docs or YouTube. The advantages are endless with everything tied
together.
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4. Google+ Circles
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Circles make it easy to share the right things with the right
people, just like in real life. Group people in circles and filter
posts on what you want to read. Search for people you
know by using Google’s robust search engine. On Google+
you can share as broadly or narrowly as you want. If you
have something to say that the world needs to hear, choose
“Public.” To keep your message to a specific group, choose
one of your circles. You can even share with individuals --
just type in someone’s name or email address.
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Learn more at:
www.google.com/+/
learnmore/circles/
Learn more at:
www.google.com/
intl/en_us/about/
products/

3. CU Shine Social Media Series May 21, 2014
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5. Personal Brand Recognition
Your profile puts a face to your name across Google.
Friends, family, and outsiders will be able to see who
they’re talking to when you're in a Hangout, send an
email, collaborate in Google Drive or search for you on
Google. You’re in control of who sees the information on
your profile. Keep your cell phone number limited to close
friends, but share your hometown with the world.
Google’s search engine optimization (SEO) is the best
available and allows you to build a name for yourself.
Participate in communities, provide relevant content and
engage with people online to build
a credible reputation for yourself
online!
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Google+ Vocabulary
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+1: Like something? +1 it!
Hashtag: A word or string of characters that starts with a number sign (#). Identical hashtags are grouped
together in a search thread.
Pages: Pages are created and managed by businesses. Follow business pages to see their posts on your
home wall.
Post: Anything answering the question "What's on your mind?”
+Reply: The +reply (or @reply) means a Google+ tag that is directed to another user in a post or reply.
Stream: Similar to Facebook news updates but you can see updates for particular circles rather than updates
for everyone at once.
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RESOURCES
!www.google.com/+/learnmore
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388307,00.asp
http://lifehacker.com/15-awesome-google-tricks-you-might-not-know-about-1524610438
http://mashable.com/2013/10/27/google-plus-beginners-guide/
http://www.google.com/intl/en/+/policy/content.html
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CONTACT INFORMATION
!Google+ Set-up: ITS@cui.edu
Google+ Settings: ITS@cui.edu
Google Troubleshooting: ITS@cui.edu
General Google+ Questions: veronica.Steele@cui.edu
3CU Shine 2014
Learn more at:
www.google.com/+/
learnmore/profile/