I am not a person who are very good with computer or have many online personal blogs or website. I just use Facebook and e-mails to communicate! So when this Google+ pop up in my life, I have no idea what it is about. Hopefully I am not the only one who just heard about this new Google feature (but seems everyone knows about it, or at least heard the name before…) What drives my attention is: David Beckham’s doing it. The Muppets are doing it. Even Barack Obama’sdoing it.
It seems to me that many of the politicians, famous stars, even cartoons are using Google+ to talk to their followers. If so many celebrities are using this feature, there is no surprise that companies do the same! But what are the opportunities for brands to use Google+ hangouts?
Customer service. It is the most talked about application for Google+ hangouts. Many companies like Dell have used the Google+ hangouts to see how the ability to switch from broadcast to face-to-face conversation with a customer who needs specific help with an issue will be useful for customer support services. LOYALTY to the company may increase when customers think the companies are not just selling products and services to them, but actually care about them.
Market research. Google+ integration with YouTube lets G+ users watch YouTube videos together. Sports fans can now watch the Super Bowl ads together and then ‘dissect’ them through Google+. This could also be a great way for qualitative research to be conducted, letting customers discuss and choose new product lines, logos, or marketing campaigns. *Seems this may be useful for our AdWords Campaign group project or my project in marketing research class 🙂
Broadcast: this is a great way to interact! ESPNused a combination of Google+ hangout, Facebook and Twitter to host a live webcast of the Winter X Games Selection Show, fans were welcomed to send questions that they would like to know about the host Brandon Graham. And Brandom Graham would answer the questions!! The conversation and chatting design create more interactions between companies and their customers, or companies to companies
There are many more COOL features about Google+. I think I should explore it a little bit more so that I can create my own Google+ !!!!