Do You Miss Google+?

Every once in a while I like to take a trip down memory lane in social media.

I do so to remind myself how fleeting and ephemeral it can all be.

Do you remember MySpace and Klout?

Fewer and fewer seem to.

Let’s discuss this!

Back when I got into this business, Google+ was still relatively new and already floundering.

Google’s hamfisted approach to trying to force everyone onto the platform backfired and, while they ultimately backed down, it did leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth.

Still, like many others, I believed that the talent and resources behind Google+ at Google would make it a sure fire success.

And, everyone thought that Facebook needed to be taken down a peg or two by a competitor.

OK, I got that one wrong.

Google+ had some innovative features, an easy to use interface, and it worked with other Google products nicely.

What could go wrong?

Well, apparently Google and I both didn’t take into account that most of the rest of the planet didn’t quite feel the need for yet another social media channel no matter how innovative it was.

Google+ wasn’t the killer app that could take on Facebook.

In hindsight, I should have seen this coming.

Having communities on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, not to mention this blog, what was I going to do with another social media channel.

Truth be told, I never connected with one real person on Google+.

So, why do I pull all this up once again?

I do this because we have to be careful of undue reliance on social media.

Be careful now!

I’m not saying don’t use social media just that all this can go away or change somehow!

Just make sure you have balanced portfolio of social media channels with limited redundancy.

That’s what killed Google+ IMHO, it was too redundant and not unique enough.

Plus, take out some insurance to offset your vendor risk.

For example, have your own blog and email list.

No one can take that away from you.

No one but you can change it.

Unlike social media channels like LinkedIn which changes all the time and without notice.

Looking back on tools like Google+ is good to remember the Good Old Days but the lessons learned that we take away are what’s critical.

That’s it for now!

Please check-out my 8 step approach for developing a social media program to get some more ideas on how to use social media.

Also, never forget to reach out to either ask questions or to ask for help from someone like myself!

In the meantime, thank you for following and reading my blog!

I look forward to any and all comments that you may have. I will reply to any comments made to this blog post as promptly as I can.

And, remember!

I do this for a living and if I can be of any assistance to either you or your organization, please feel free to call on me. Our initial discussion will be of no charge to you.

I can also be reached at conpsweeney@someddi.com.

My Twitter handle is @conpsweeney.

Stay well!