CircleCount helps you better understand Google+

2013-05-22 13:01:07 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Love how these Lilacs looks like they've been stained with red wine. 

2013-05-22 11:11:02 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 0 +1s)

Brand New Blog - Here's 7 Warning signs you brand new blog (or existing blog) needs attention

2013-05-21 13:30:35 (4 comments, 3 reshares, 8 +1s)

How +Seth Godin , +Mitch Joel, +Ann Handley, +C.C. Chapman, +Mark Schaefer, +Ian Cleary and +Brian Solis 
 decide what to write http://www.ducttapemarketing.com/blog/2013/05/21/how-i-write/

2013-05-19 19:57:40 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 29 +1s)

Lovely ♥

2013-05-19 17:22:47 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Montreal's Gay Village Readies itself for Another Summer Under a Canopy of Pink Balls.
(let the jokes begin...)

The event is called Aires Libres which is in keeping with the spirit of inclusivity not only in the Village, but in all of Montréal. 

This is a series of photos we took on our usual Saturday walk to the Marché St-Jacques. Looking forward to enjoying drinks on the terraces with friends.

Here's a cool video via Tourism Montreal. http://youtu.be/lNIQtH0G9Xk

2013-05-19 17:23:59 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

Happy Victoria Day weekend everyone. You know, when I was younger, we used to spend every Victoria Day weekend watching the Queen Victoria races before they were discontinued on the grounds that they were cruel to Queen Victoria.

2013-05-19 16:13:23 (0 comments, 3 reshares, 8 +1s)

#punday  :D

2013-05-18 20:26:24 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 14 +1s)

Google IO 2013 summary from Marcus .. essential viewing - people in this stream will know that .. I have tweeted to users there may not even know #io13  has happened at all .. yikes.

2013-05-18 14:39:28 (1 comments, 4 reshares, 10 +1s)

Should You Leave Facebook for Google Plus?
+Genevieve Lachance asks the questions and gives us some facts to help us decide in her post: http://goo.gl/f7M83

She looks at each platform's rate of growth  and time on site to give us a some context before digging into the cons and pros (in the case of G+) of each.

Her conclusion is pragmatic and wise: 
"Remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to social media but knowing exactly who your target market is and understanding the purpose of each platform should help you decide where you should spend your time."

#facebook #Googleplus

2013-05-17 13:42:01 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Four links that will make you rethink #2
+Fabrice Calando's  *ReThink* series is great Friday morning  brain exercise.  (Which you'll need to get to get pumped up for the weekend.)
In this instalment: http://goo.gl/QUiJz
he asks us to:
[Rethink Marketing] Lead up:  Stop complaining and start changing.

[Rethink Business] Facebook is about to launch a huge play in “big data” analytics. Is the way your business is perceived, how you described it in your business plan?

[Rethink Work] Barron’s: Facebook is still overvalued:
"Is it better to be a one trick pony with a laser focused drive or kind of play in different sandboxes to apply and integrate learnings?"

[Rethink Life] Meditation produces opposite effect of “fight or flight” The impact of meditation on stress...and genetics.
Read full... more »

2013-05-17 03:29:56 (0 comments, 3 reshares, 17 +1s)

Google, more than a house of cards...

2013-05-16 20:31:37 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 16 +1s)

Hangouts to be the Single Communications App for Google.
via +The Verge 

2013-05-15 21:02:11 (10 comments, 3 reshares, 10 +1s)

A collection of explainer videos about the new Google Plus
Google PlusBasics
► Google+: How to get started
► Google+: Find people you know
► Google+: Set Up Your Profile
► Google+: Reading and responding
► Google+: About circles
► Google+: Sharing
► Google+ Photos: Great photos, in less time
► Google+ Communities: A place for whatever you're into
► Google+ pages
► Google+: Fun with Hangouts
► Google+ Events: Introducing a new way to get together
- - - 
#GooglePlusTips   #GooglePlus   #GooglePlusBasics   #HowTo  

2013-05-15 12:03:53 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 11 +1s)

Vital and important .. know the rules before you get a strike ..

2013-05-15 11:53:32 (1 comments, 2 reshares, 8 +1s)

Chief Copywriter for +Copyblogger, +Demian Farnworth  shares how to avoid common compound word errors.

2013-05-14 23:23:42 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 4 +1s)

Ghyslain Raza: The Calm after the Maelstrom

+nancy a. locke takes a look at cyber bullying citing the case of Ghyslain Raza whose (in)famous YouTube Star Wars light sabre video resulted in years of school bullying, a trail disgusting comments and ridicule.

A recent magazine story tells the story of how Ghyslain, with the help of his family and "...the support of slow-to-respond but well-intentioned professors and public authorities, and expensive legal counsel – he managed to survive."

Can we really dance like no one is watching?

2013-05-12 16:19:25 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

More Random Thoughts

The “man” who kidnapped young women, holding them hostage for decades, kicking them in the stomach to abort the babies conceived by his rapes, deserves to die in a manner akin to the death of William Wallace; televised in HD for the rest of his kind to have something to think about. 

I awoke this morning to an article from Reuters, claiming that Google+ is a “Desolate Wasteland” which reminds me again how kind nature was to make breathing automatic, allowing the perpetually stupid to live among us, lest they forget to inhale. Alexei Oreskovic, you are probably not an idiot, but your article puts it up for debate. 

On Mother’s Day, I still maintain that everything about me that is good and positive is the result of my Grandmother’s love.  I think a man needs to have that one person who no matter what they think, or how they feel,they draw the ... more »

2013-05-12 15:55:10 (0 comments, 0 reshares, 6 +1s)

Let's All Get Up And Dance With Our Moms!
...to a song that was a hit before she was born.
Happy Mother's Day. 

2013-05-10 14:26:11 (3 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

Need a Little Attitude Adjustment?
+Fabrice Calando shares four links to articles that will have us rethink:
Marketing   Business   Work and Life

2013-05-08 23:33:57 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 13 +1s)

Repost of a piece I wrote on sharing and scheduling Google+ posts with Do Share
cc +Bill Vick 

2013-05-08 13:41:46 (1 comments, 1 reshares, 4 +1s)

Looking forward to todays show with +Kittie Walker and +Ray Hiltz Gonna have some fun today

2013-05-08 13:33:11 (7 comments, 1 reshares, 10 +1s)

How Semantic Search Will Be A Game Changer For Real Estate

Semantic search is the way the web is headed. Trust and credibility will be bigger factors in delivering search results.

While the article discusses a Realtor as an example of how semantic search works, it applies to all types of businesses!

The article was written by SEO expert +David Amerland who many of you know well from Google Plus. Take a look you will not want to miss this one!

#realestate #seo #semanticweb  

2013-05-08 12:46:36 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 9 +1s)

Incredible Google Doodle celebrating the art of Saul Bass whose graphic design is as iconic as the movies he designed them for.
Well done, Google.
HT +Carrie Keenan for the tweet :-)
Can you name the movies referenced in this video?
#saulbass  

2013-05-07 19:08:13 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 9 +1s)

This summer, the McGill Writing Center at McGill University (Montreal) steps up to the digital challenge.

2013-05-06 13:55:04 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 16 +1s)

Morning walk along the river this morning. 
"Summer is a coming in but fast..."
#montreal

2013-05-05 13:48:19 (5 comments, 1 reshares, 11 +1s)

Wishin' you all a groovy Sunday..

2013-05-04 17:05:55 (4 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

The Ballad of Connie and Clive – a Social Media Romance
My newest blog post at NewRayCom.com - http://goo.gl/kt2db is departure from my regular articles.

Perhaps it's Spring fever, but I thought I'd write my own romance pulp fiction set around the torrid tales of Connie, the social media consultant, Clive the small business owner and "?", the mysterious "Plusman".

Clive, a battle scarred small business owner needs help with this new social media thing.
He doesn't know where to turn so he calls a friend who has a friend who knows someone that has a Facebook page.
He makes the call...and Connie, the social Media Consultant answers.

The relationship has a promising start, but when Connie tries to exchange her "likes" at the bank the relationship takes a turn for the worse.
Clive gets quiet. Content stopsf... more »

2013-05-03 22:52:58 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 22 +1s)

In Montreal, we could just repaint the brick exterior or....

2013-05-03 13:36:46 (0 comments, 1 reshares, 2 +1s)

Where Technology Can Take Healthcare
Some of my Plusser friends who work in the health sector may find this interesting.
#healthcaretechnology  

2013-05-01 15:29:42 (2 comments, 2 reshares, 12 +1s)

There are more reasons to join Google Plus than to not.

Google+ isn't Google's answer to Facebook. It's just an important piece in the big Google puzzle. Chances are you're already holding onto some (or many) of the other pieces.

So why not embrace Google Plus for what it is and what it will be and grow your business and reputation while you're at it?

#google+   #googleplus #busniess

http://www.socialstrategies.net.au/there-are-more-reasons-to-join-google-plus-than-to-not/

2013-04-30 20:41:17 (15 comments, 70 reshares, 28 +1s)

Ideas for Getting Your Business Started on Google+ (slides)
This presentation includes an overview of Google+ and tips for optimizing both SEO benefits and engagement. 

This was created for +Sherry Nouraini's weekly HOA broadcast on #opensm.
Check out the full HOA here: http://goo.gl/aDSav

Topics:
 - Using S.M.A.R.T. goals to prepare a G+ strategy
 - Know why you're on G+: SEO, Social Networking, Content Marketing
 - Importance of a completed Profile
 - SEO it's about Authority

Plus...Google+ tips for:
 - publishing posts
 - Managing Circles
 - G+ Communities
 - G+ Hangouts

#googleplustips #newraycom #lopensm

2013-04-29 18:48:39 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 14 +1s)

Why NBA center Jason Collins is coming out now"

Today, James Collins announced:
"I'm a 34-year-old NBA center. I'm black. And I'm gay,"

There's a lot written about authenticity in the social space, how important it is for garnering trust and how difficult it can be to be open.
The importance of positive gay role models has been pointed out for many years now and although there have been many in politics, business and the arts who have pulled out the rainbow flag from their closet,  not before today has an athlete from a major sports league put their hand up to say: I'm gay.

James Collins did just that.

And though it would be nice if this didn't make news, the fact that young people can better see themselves reflected in their heroes, makes this event worthy of being shared and celebrated.

Inhis... more »

2013-04-29 01:14:40 (14 comments, 4 reshares, 11 +1s)

Facebook, you can’t have it both ways. Either ask businesses to pay for likes, or ask businesses to pay for posts. But asking them to pay premium rates for both is unreasonable and drives the cost of marketing on Facebook into the stratosphere.* Perhaps this model works for celebrities or famous brands that can build up huge followings organically. But for small businesses that closely track their spending, Facebook Pages in their current incarnation are a bad investment.*

2013-04-28 16:05:09 (0 comments, 3 reshares, 12 +1s)

#punday  +1

2013-04-26 21:46:01 (5 comments, 15 reshares, 18 +1s)

So, I've signed up for Google+. Now What?

Enjoyed a great HOA today hosted by +Sherry Nouraini at #opensm.
Great questions and input from fellow panelists; +Randy Bowden, +Scott Scowcroft, +Robert Caruso, +Joseph Olewitz, +Rich McElaney 

It was a combination presentation and discussion with such questions as:
"How do you prove the ROI of G+. Everyone wants to know the payoff, of time, $$ and resources." (Thanks, Rich ;-)

Topics:
Using S.M.A.R.T. goals to prepare a G+ strategy
Know why you're on G+: SEO, Social Networking, Content Marketing
Importance of a completed Profile
SEO it's about Authority

Plus...Google+ tips for:
 - publishing posts
 - Managing Circles
 - G+ Communities
 - G+ Hangouts

#googleplustips   #hoa   #opensm  

2013-04-25 22:17:19 (7 comments, 3 reshares, 9 +1s)

Traditional publicity vs content marketing

"Content marketing continues to be a hot topic as more and more brands find creative ways to distribute valuable content and establish themselves as leaders in their industries. Successful content marketers have a knack for providing high quality resources for their clients and potential clients. And as a result, they attract many new clients. It’s a great inbound marketing strategy."

Traditional publicity — interrupts

3 fatal flaws
• Only holds attention for a short time
• Interrupts instead of offering  something valuable
• Can be expensive

Content marketing — gives valuable information

Advantages
• Provides value
• Educates
• Creates content that attracts people to your website
• Multimedia formats appeals to a variety ofaudiences

more »

2013-04-24 01:33:39 (6 comments, 1 reshares, 13 +1s)

Developer Ports Google+ Comments to WordPress

Last week when +Blogger received an update to connect comments to Google+, +WordPress users felt a little left out. Well, no they don't have to because a developer has brought the Google+ fun to WordPress users!

-------------------
#wordpress   #googleplus   #googleplustips  

2013-04-23 12:30:19 (6 comments, 0 reshares, 3 +1s)

Happy to find some old and new friends here.
Hi. my name is Ray and I'm ORS.

2013-04-21 16:16:06 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 15 +1s)

#Punday  

2013-04-21 15:49:19 (1 comments, 0 reshares, 8 +1s)

Sunday Morning tunes that go well with espresso & croissants :-) 
Swing Out Sister is a fav since the early nineties.

2013-04-19 01:05:33 (6 comments, 5 reshares, 15 +1s)

How to Grow Your Audience On Google Plus

Google plus is currently the 2nd biggest social network in the world. It’s not rocket science to see that you should be apart of what is going on here, but many people and brands are not sure where to get started. I am often asked questions that I answered in this article I did .... Including things like...

* How to get started... like seriously what is Step 1
* How often should I be Posting...
* Why post about things not DIRECTLY related to my business... 
* SEO benefits...
and many more...

Hope you enjoy my top 10 tips for growing your brand and community here on GooglePlus... and feel free to share with friends, family or non believers. :) Especially on other social networks.. I think we as a community need to start getting some of these tips "out there" more. I'll be working on it a lotin... more »

2013-04-16 16:06:24 (2 comments, 3 reshares, 9 +1s)

Google for Entrepreneurs
Learn online: YouTube.com/Google4Entrepreneurs 

Tools:
1. Tools for Entrepreneurs: Building Your Team
2. Tools for Entrepreneurs: Making Something People Love
3. Tools for Entrepreneurs: Turning User Insight into Product
4. Tools for Entrepreneurs: Raising Your First Million
5. Tools for Entrepreneurs: Forming the Right Kind of Entity

Tips:
1. Tips for Entrepreneurs: Collaborating with Google Docs
2. Tips for Entrepreneurs: Collaborating with Google Docs
3. Tips for Entrepreneurs: Writing AdWords Ad Texts
4. Tips for Entrepreneurs: Choosing AdWords Keywords

2013-04-15 13:41:49 (4 comments, 1 reshares, 5 +1s)

Have you ever thought that what would happen to your online accounts and data if someday and somehow you will not be able to use them anymore or what should happen to your online data when you die?
+Shaan Haider takes us through the steps of how to Configure the Google Inactive Account Manager.

2013-04-15 12:31:11 (10 comments, 2 reshares, 14 +1s)

Google and Facebook tweak their search algorithms to give your the results they think you want. Is that a good thing?
Examining the pros and cons of the Semantic Web was the topic last week of +John Rakestraw's must see HOA series.

2013-04-10 12:31:23 (7 comments, 2 reshares, 21 +1s)

Temptations ....

http://pinterest.com/pin/117656608987364731/

2013-04-09 18:21:07 (1 comments, 4 reshares, 4 +1s)

The high Cost of Cheap Technology
 - Wait. How much did that iPad cost?

2013-04-09 13:39:38 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 5 +1s)

One of my favourite writers, +nancy a. locke, demonstrates that skill + authenticity + generosity = art.
Highly recommend her blog: Seen from Here / Vue d'ici

2013-04-08 18:54:02 (2 comments, 0 reshares, 7 +1s)

Very sad to hear that Annet Funicello died. 
Spent many afternoons at the Capital watching the Beach Blanket movies then renacting them them on our own beach. But my friends were neither as musical or pretty. ;-)

2013-04-06 16:14:46 (3 comments, 1 reshares, 8 +1s)

I love +Ray Hiltz's weekly Google+ newsletter. It's full of tips and hints to be more effective on G+. Trust me this is a newsletter worth subscribing to.

http://forms.aweber.com/form/61/1399988961.htm

2013-04-05 23:39:33 (2 comments, 1 reshares, 8 +1s)

Social Business - Hit or Myth?
new blog post
Being a social business is more than just using social media. It's using social media strategy to make your company collaborative, responsive and open inside and out.
#socialbusiness   #googleplus