Google Plus is a social network that is owned and operated by Google. Launched in 2011, Google+ has 440 million monthly active users. Later it emerged as a tough competitor for Facebook in the social media realm. Google+ is sometimes overlooked while creating a website or when implementing online marketing strategy for a business. Hence marketing your law firm on Google plus is one of the powerful ways of branding.

Your law firm may already have a strong social media presence on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Decidedly you shouldn’t ignore Google+ because it is the only social network that Google search engine looks to in terms of online identity, reputation, and other reliable information. Curious to know about what benefits Google+ holds for your online marketing campaigns? This article sketches the great features of Google+ and how to use it for your law firm.

Google’s “Direct Connect”

Research says that more than 1 billion people use Google’s search engine every month. Google+ pages are now showing in the Google’s search results and it is a great way to drive potential clients to your law firm’s Google+ page. Say thanks to the Google+ Direct Connect that allows the users to connect directly to the company Google+ page. For this, you have to add the “+” symbol in front of a company’s name in Google’s search field. So you can quickly navigate to other law firms page and see how they are using Google+ for their online marketing. Moreover, you will be easily visible to your clients if they search for you in the Google engine.

“Hangouts”

Google+ Hangouts lets you communicate with your team via instant messaging, voice calls, and video calls. Here are the fabulous features of hangouts to enhance your online marketing strategy:

Message a client or start a group conversation: Have a one-on-one conversation with your client or include all your clients/employees/ friends with group chats for up to 100 people. Share rich media to your clients with photos and GIFs relevant to your legal practice.

Connect anytime with voice and video calls: Stay accessible and connect with your clients with a free video call. Invite your employees to a group call with up to 10 people where you can discuss the works and follow-ups if you are out of town.

Stay in sync across your devices: Sync your chats from device to device and keep the conversation going wherever you are. Keep in touch with your clients across Android, iOS, and the web.

“Collections”

Google+ introduces a new way to group your posts by topic which is called collections. Google+ Collections allows users to categorize posts, photos, and videos by topic. You are the only person modifying the content, and the posts will appear in your profile stream for followers. Create photos, videos on your expertise in a form of collection, where other clients can find and follow your collections. Share your each collection publicly, privately, or with a custom set of clients. Collections give you a great way to find more of the stuff relevant to your legal practice from the other attorneys you follow.

“Circles”

Google+ Circles allow you to group followers into different “Circles.” The peculiar feature is that you can share relevant contents or articles to each of your segregated circles. For example, you can share contents on child custody in the Family Law Circle and rights of workers in the Labour Law Circle. You can add both people, pages to your circles and add or remove someone from a circle at any time. Circles also offer a private feature as no one in a circle can see who else is in the circle. Hence your competitors will not be able to see your potential clients in your circle.

Legal marketing professionals can use Google+ to leverage their online marketing efforts. There are two great communities for lawyers on Google+ they are Lawyers on Google+ and Lawyers of Google+ which I encourage you to join and participate in.