Recording - http://youtu.be/m3D7Q9r2RdE In November 2011 Google+ launched their Pages feature for brands and organizations. Are you wondering what all the buzz is about? Is it worthwhile to invest the time and develop a presence on Google+? Are you missing out if you don’t create a page? Join us for this webinar as we go through the essential information your charity needs to know about Google+ so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not it is the right platform and tool for you.

1. What You Need to Know
About Google+
February 1, 2012

2. reminders
 You can hear us, but we can’t hear you
 Slides will be available on www.mycharityconnects.org
 For the best webinar experience, close all other
applications
 Turn up your computer’s volume
 Have questions? Type questions in the Questions Log

3. today’s presenter
Kara Golani
Nonprofit Training Associate
CanadaHelps

4. What is CanadaHelps?
A public charitable foundation that provides accessible and affordable
online technology to both donors and charities.
For Charities
A cost-effective means of raising funds online.
For Donors
A one-stop-shop for giving.
CanadaHelps is a charity helping charities.
CanadaHelps is giving made simple.
MyCharityConnects is a initiative of CanadaHelps.

5. THE GOOGLE+ PROJECT

6. Agenda
What is Google+?
+You & Features
Google+ for Your Organization
About MyCharityConnects
Q & A

7. Who?
The Creators: Google Inc.
The Users: Anyone with a Gmail account
What?
Google’s newest social networking initiative
Features include hangouts, circles, sparks, +1
button, and much more
When?
Beta phase launched on June 28, 2011
(invitation-only)
Opened to the public on September 20, 2011
(still in beta)
Brand Pages launched on November 7, 2011
Where?
Web: plus.google.com
Mobile: Android, Blackberry, and iPhone apps
Why?
It’s growing fast:
Over 90 billion users in a little over 6 months
Powered by one of the world’s largest
technology companies
Still in its beta testing phase - new additions
and improvements are constantly being made
A social networking experience that combines
popular and easy-to-recognize features from
Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn with unique
features

8. Source: Flowtown (www.flowtown.com)
Google+ Demographics
As of November 2011

9. Source: Flowtown (www.flowtown.com)
Google+ Demographics
35%

10. +You
Sparks
Hangouts
Create a
Page
Circles
+1 Button
What’s
Hot

11. FEATURES

12. Circles
• Choose who can see
your Google+ profile
or page
• Just drag and drop
one or more
people/pages into a
circle
Circles

13. Circles
• Similar to Facebook lists
• Choose what you share with
each circle (more privacy than
Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and
other social networks)
• Great way to target messages at
specific audiences
• Provide different information to
donors, clients, volunteers,
sponsors, etc.

14. Hangouts
• Video chat for up to 10
users
• Open to anyone in a
specific circle
• Easy to use – just start or
join a hangout

15. Hangouts on Air
• Create, host, live
stream (via YouTube),
and record a webcast.
• Have audiences across
the country watch live
announcements on
your YouTube
channel.

16. Hangouts with Extras
Features include:
• Screensharing – share what’s on your screen with
everyone in the hangout
• Sketchpad – draw or doodle collectively during a
hangout
• GoogleDocs – collaborate on a GoogleDoc while in a
hangout
• Name your hangouts
• Create public hangouts that anyone can join –
great for making a new announcement

17. What’s Hot
• Collection of interesting posts on
Google+
• Usually consists of posts with a
high number of shares and/or +1s
• Create posts that have a high
sharing rate to show up on the
“What’s Hot” page and increase
viewership outside your circles

18. Sparks
• Find topics that you want
updates on (i.e.
• Articles are not just from
Google+ but all over the
Internet
• Save the searches for
frequent and easy access
Sparks

19. +1
Add the +1 button to
your website or blog
alongside your other
social sharing buttons
even if you don’t
create a Google+ page
• Similar to the “like”
feature on Facebook
• Automatically
appears on brand
pages
• Allows users to
share content with
their circles
• Users can curate
content by
activating a +1 tab
on their profile

20. GOOGLE+ FOR YOUR ORGANZATION

21. What You Can Do
• Share information –
news, updates,
promotions, links,
images, etc.
• “Hangout” with key
audiences
• Use the +1 button to
promote your
organization and
increase visibility

22. Nonprofits on Google+

23. Source: Flowtown (www.flowtown.com)
Statistics

24. Ripples
• Visual analytics that
allow you to see public
‘shares’ of your content.
• Use Ripples to find
influencers interested in
your organization/cause
and add them to your
circles.

25. ABOUT MYCHARITYCONNECTS

26. free online resources
 Information about technology
and social media
 Webinars
 Past webinar slides
 Learning opportunities
 Events across the country
www.mycharityconnects.org

27. Upcoming Webinars
• February 1 - What You Need To Know about Google+
• February 15 - Introduction to TechSoup Canada's Online Donations
Program
• February 29 - Get Social with your Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Events
• March 14 - Essential Facebook Tips for Your Charity
• March 28 - Being Social Inside and Out: Fostering a Culture of Sharing and
Collaboration
• April 11 - The Rules Around Tools
• April 25 - Essential Twitter Tips for Your Charity
• May 9 - Preparing for a Website Redesign
• May 23 - Editorial Calendar Essentials: Organize and Plan Your Online
Communications
www.mycharityconnects.org

28. for more great resources…

29. Keep in touch!
info@canadahelps.org
www.twitter.com/canadahelps
www.slideshare.net/MyCharityConnects
www.facebook.com/canadahelps
www.youtube.com/canadahelps

30. QUESTIONS?