Jul 29, 2011

Google + Writing Circles

Are you Google +ing yet?

I was sceptical. I still remember the wasted moments wandering through an empty Google Wave. I questioned Google's approach of limiting the sign ups for Google + - after all, social networking only works if everyone's there.

BUT. I love the ease of adding people to your circles. Now instead of bombarding my friends and family with the endless links I find on the craft of writing, I can target those posts directly to other writers. I also feel more comfortable adding people, knowing I don't need their permission to follow them (like Twitter - you can block someone if necessary).

People will migrate from Facebook and Twitter to converge in Google +. I don't expect it to be quick, others will be wary and many will be nostalgic about the platform they've spent so much time building (remember the die-hard Myspace enthusiasts?). I'll stay in Facebook while I've still got Friends there - I'm not attached to particular platforms, but I'll go where the people are - I like the people.

If you're not in Google + but would like to start building your profile there, drop me an email and I'll try to send you an invite (I'm not sure how many I can give out, so first in first serve). If you've already started and want to add a widget to your blog to promote your Google + check out:


Now, I'm thinking... BLOGFEST TIME! I've never held a Blogfest before, exciting times.

On the 31st July I'll post up details of the 'Imagination Sparks Blogfest' and how to sign up. For the blogfest we'll all share a creativity exercise that helps get our Muse revved up to write. To get you started, I'll blog about a great exercise Tom Evans, author of The Art and Science of Light Bulb Moments generously shared with us.

15 comments:

  1. I haven't ventured to Google+ yet, even though someone invited me. I'm already getting alerts from the site though - not sure why.

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  2. Is it your opinion that this new 'platform' will draw people away from Blogger? Not terribly wise for Google to devise competing forums.

    I may be talking gibberish, here ...

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  3. I've only just heard about Google+ -- I feel a bit behind the times already!

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  4. I don't find it as user friendly as FB, and I don't think it competes with blogger, but I do like the selecting who to share with. I just already have 2 FB profiles--a personal and a writing one, so I was segregating info that way.

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  5. I'm not crazy about facebook, but I sort of use it.

    I'm still waiting for google + ... we'll see...

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  6. Still haven't decided about G+ yet. I have little enough time for writing as it is, I really don't want to commit to another platform if I can possibly avoid it. So far from the reviews from people who've tried it, it seems like more of the same, just with better compartmentalisation.

    mood
    Moody Writing
    @mooderino

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  7. Alex, yes one thing I did find strange is Google + offered to add some people I knew, I accepted some of those but it turns out they don't even have the platform yet and it sends them notifications when I update - I think it suggests people from your gmail address. So the person posting probably doesn't realise that's happening.

    Suze, I don't think that's the idea. It is a form of micro-bogging, but all your google accounts are in your profile and you can switch from blogger to mail to google plus easily. It's more of a replacement for Facebook and Twitter, it kind of combines those two.

    Carla, I've only just joined google plus myself, I knew about it but didn't think it would take off at first.

    Hart, I think Facebook will be around for a long time yet but slowly people will drop off it. I had two accounts two but found it too hard to remember to update both.

    Jolene, I was just using it for friends and then started using it for writing only about 3 months ago - now I feel like I'm starting all over again with google plus - but I do feel like it's necessary for new writers to get info out about their writing.

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  8. Moody, it is very similar and I agree I would rather not have to start this again. But I do think by making it slightly easier to use than FB it will win over the users.

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  9. Looking forward to the Sparks blogfest.

    Will wait until the migration happens to even look at google +

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  10. Haven't gotten an invite but I already feel overwhelmed with the FB, Twitter, Goodreads, Shelfari, and Blogspot. OMG. ***gasping for air while I clutch at my chest***

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  11. I'm on Google+ too, but I don't venture there very often. It's a cool idea - I just need more time :)

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  12. I haven t gone this path,yet. I love your blogfest idea ;great idea!

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  13. I don't even know what that is really. I am so behind in everything when it comes to the internet and Google.
    Yeah Blogfest!!!
    Blessings, Joanne

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  14. Ooooh...a blogfest! Looking forward to hearing about that.

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  15. I'm on G+ but still have a lot to learn. I haven't figured out how to remove someone from a circle, so that's next on the list. So far I like it, but I've reached a point where I'm overwhelmed on Facebook and hiding people left and right so I don't have to get their five billion updates anymore.

    Tina @ Life is Good
    and I are joining forces in a followup A to Z challenge. We're going to visit and comment at each of the original A to Z participants, and we hope you'll join us!

    Shannon @ The Warrior Muse

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