Following up on my previous post “Google + Is Not Worth the Hassle”, in which I dispel the naysayers, I now offer you 7 different ways in which you can use Google + hangouts. What is a Hangout? A hangout is group video chat for up to 10 people. The ” on air” component allows you to stream live from YouTube and embed in a page on your website simultaneously. Thus taking your hangout to a much expanded audience however participation is limited to chat via YouTube, and comments on your web page. YouTube is also recording the video which will automatically be uploaded to your YouTube channel upon the completion of the hangout. Before you can set up a hangout you need a Google account.
1. Meetings – Groups or One on One
I think the most basic way in which to use the hangout feature is to conduct group meetings virtually. These meetings could be mastermind groups, business meetings or church groups from across the country. I would suggest even a simple client meeting. All the while saving travel time, costs, gas, etc and still getting the same result as face to face.
2. Interviews
I’m looking forward to conducting my first video for my podcast, Business of Security, on Google +. The reason why I haven’t done one so far is for the simple fact that all the folks I’ve interviewed so far are a)not on Google +, b)Need a cheat sheet on how to join Google +, and then how to connect to a hangout. But once you are on, you are good to go. It’s not as hard as it seems, but folks are so used to Facebook protocol that going outside of that is foreign. And when it comes to interviews you don’t want to make the interviewee nervous on a new platform. So I stick with what works for them.
3. Long distance classroom/e-learning
Students attend a class virtually through Google +. With screen sharing students can answer questions, collaborate on projects, and interact with the teacher/professor. Students can also give presentations using Google docs or SlideShare – both are apps in the hangout.
4. Sales or Product Demonstrations
You have a great widget and want to show it off but going door to door in the summer heat is making you crazy. Set up a sales demonstration with potential buyers through a Google hangout. Show videos on how the product is used, what it can do, how it is the best gosh darn widget ever.
5. Webinars
I’m sure you’ve attended the stale, powerpoint versions of webinars. So much so you sign up and just wait for the digital recording. With Google hangouts webinars become more interactive with screen sharing collaboration, playing videos, and sharing other features.
Very shortly I’ll be testing my own webinar on Google + – My goal is to have at least 2 seminars via Google + by the end of the year. Topics will be on social media marketing and branding your business. So stay tuned for more details!
6. Video Podcast
A very simple way to use Google + hangouts is with a video podcast. Take your podcast to another level. You can’t record yourself so get a friend or colleague to chime in and participate on the hangout. Become another famous dynamic duo 🙂
7. Crowdsourcing – brainstorming
I think this has got to be the easiest way to use Google hangouts. Get a bunch of like-minded individuals together for a planned hangout and brainstorm on specific problems. I’ve participated in a few of the more casual versions and they work really well.
Bonus: Conferences
I haven’t seen this done (maybe I missed it) but wouldn’t it be great to attend a conference virtually via Google +? What I have seen done is one person communicating to a group of attendees at a conference. The speaker wasn’t able to get there on time, so with a few simple tools – internet, webcam, and microphone he was able to give his keynote virtually through Google + hangout.
Well, what’s stopping you from hanging out?
RFYDREWCNZ69
