We’ve done a couple of posts introducing you to Google’s new social network, Google+. In this one, we mentioned some of its coolest features; and today we’ll take a closer look at one of those, the Hangout.
Google says you should think of a Hangout as being like your front porch, where people stop by, chat awhile, leave and are replaced by others. But that may not be the best metaphor for its use in business; a better one might be, videoconferencing taken to where people of importance actually are. Posting on Social Media Examiner, Marc Pitman ticks off three potential business uses for Hangouts…
- as part of the sales process – Invite prospects already in your pipeline to discuss something like “Overcoming X”, where X is a problem you know they all share. Not with the goal of selling anything, but just to advance the relationship.
- “office hours” – akin to those kept by college professors, when students can be sure to find them in. Think about a regular monthly Hangout to address customer service topics; or a Monday-am “staff meeting,” which your staff can attend regardless of location.
- “fireside chats” – Everyone wants to hear from (and ask questions of) the CEO; now (s)he can have a quarterly meeting with the whole company, without the travel/meeting expense of physically getting everyone together.
Starting a Hangout
Push the “Start a Hangout” button on the right side of your Profile; it’s just that easy. Then invite the people you really want …even if you make it Public (open to anyone). You can even check your hair before going live (Google+ provides a virtual Green Room!). Once you go live, the meeting shows up in your timeline (and that of people who have you in their Circles), and Google+ posts your Hangout on your live feed to everyone in the Circles you’ve invited.
Running your Hangout
Once you’ve started your Hangout, you have lots of controls; they’re accessible from a series of buttons along the bottom…
- Invite: While in a Hangout, it’s easy to invite new people; just click on the “Invite” button on the far left to add individual people, or entire Circles.
- Chat: This is a great way to share web links and other information during a Hangout (which can be difficult and unreliable on the phone). Once you click on the “Chat” button, the chat window will remain visible for the rest of your time in this Hangout.
- YouTube: Google has already integrated YouTube videos into Hangouts, so you can share a promotional video from your company, or a video that illustrates a point you’re making, simply by clicking the “YouTube” button. (Google also lets you start a Hangout from within YouTube.)
- Volume and Video Controls: If you work from home or in a crowded or noisy work space, those buttons on the right are very helpful. You can use “mute video” to turn your camera on and off, and the “mute mic” button similarly for the audio …so if you get a call or someone pops into your office, it doesn’t have to disrupt your attendees.
This video will give you still more info on starting and running a Hangout. Marc suggests fine-tuning your visible clothing and background so that these reinforce your Hangout’s purpose and style, rather than conflict with it.
Because Google+ is still fairly new, it’s a good idea to let people know in advance that you’ll be holding a Hangout, so they can be on Google+ when the actual invites go out. This may avoid the pain of giving a Hangout and no one showing up. Although even for this case, Google has an answer: it erases the Hangout from your timeline, so you’re spared the embarrassment of seeing the post, “Bill Gadless hung out with 0 people.”
By way of summation, Marc says: “We all know that people only purchase from us (B2Bs) when they know, like and trust us. That used to mean we needed to go to a lot of conferences to meet people. But a tool like Google+ Hangouts can help you do the interacting right from your desk.”
Does anyone have a war story to share on his/her experience with Google+ Hangouts?
