Google Plus Themes

What is Google Plus?

Google launched its own social network in an attempt to challenge Facebook with a service that ties together all its existing sites including Gmail.

Google plus is structured in a remarkably similar way to Facebook, with profile pictures and news feeds forming a central core.

However, a user's friends or contacts are grouped into specific circles of their choosing - as opposed to the common pool of friends typical on Facebook.

Google plus started rolling out to a limited number of users in what the company is calling a field trial.

Only those invited to join will initially be able to use the service. Google did not say when it would be more widely available.

The service does not currently feature advertising.

What Makes Google Plus So Special?

To create Google plus, the company went back to the drawing board in the wake of several notable failures, including Google Wave and Google Buzz, a micro-blogging service whose launch was marred by privacy snafus.

'We learned a lot in Buzz, and one of the things we learned is that there's a real market opportunity for a product that addresses people's concerns around privacy and how their information is shared,' said Google spokesman Bradley Horowitz.

Google drew more than one billion visitors worldwide to its websites in May, more than any other company, according to web analytics firm comScore.

But people are spending more time on Facebook - the average U.S. visitor spent 375minutes on Facebook in May, compared with 231minutes for Google.

Google plus seems designed to make its online properties a pervasive part of the daily online experience, rather than being spots where web surfers occasionally check in to search for a website or check email.

As with Facebook's service, Google+ has a central web page that displays an ever-updating stream of the comments, photos and links being shared by friends and contacts.

A toolbar across the top of most of Google's sites - such as its main search page, its Gmail site and its Maps site - allows users to access their personalised data feed. They can then contribute their own information to the stream.

Google plus will also offer a special video chat feature, in which up to ten people can jump on a conference call.

And Google will automatically store photos taken on mobile phones on its Internet servers, allowing a Google+ user to access the photos from any computer and share them.
Expansion: Chief executive Larry Page is keen to build Google's social networking presence

Expansion: Chief executive Larry Page is keen to build Google's social networking presence

Google chief executive Larry Page has made social networking a top priority at the world's number one Internet search engine, whose position as the main gateway to online information could be at risk as people spend more time on sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

Google Plus themes for Google Chrome

Give Google Chrome browser look of Google+ user interface by using free Google+ Plus themes for Google Chrome web browser. These themes change color and look of menu bar and browsing window of Chrome resembling to that of Google+ Plus website.

Google Plus themes inspired - This Google+ theme for Chrome browser is inspired from Google Plus website. Of course, it is an unofficial theme but looks very cool.
Google Plus Themes
Download Google Plus Themes

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Carnival-Snake Oil or Solution?

In an article by Tech Crunch recently, it announced the quiet debut of Carnival, a brand accelerating mobile app employing a subscription business model. Brand yearly subscription rates range between low 5 figures to low 6 figures. A hefty chunk to be sure. Yet the overall marketing environment has compelled about 60 large brands to participate in the experiment.
Over the past few years, businesses have been busy creating their own apps. There are so many apps out there now that building a large following is nearly impossible. This is especially true in geo space. What does it matter if you have a bunch of geo fences out there if nobody has your app? Without it, passing users will not see your messages, no matter how compelling they may be. It seems nobody seriously asked themselves why a user would want to open the app in the first place.
Carnival, at least, is asking many of the right questions. But does their solution go far enough to provide an environment users want to engage often? Why would a user want to open the app? For a deal? Groupon proved that model isn't sustainable. To play a cheesy game? FourSquare proved that model can't last. Will extreme push messages compel users to engage? Push messages of any kind will be seen more and more as glorified spam. It will be a turn off. So why will users want to participate in Carnival? This question hasn't been addressed sufficiently to justify 5 and 6 digit subscriptions. But the fact that so many brands are willing to pony up that much clearly proves brands are desperate. We need a solution that creates a communications bridge between mobile users and local businesses. A solution that users are excited to use on a regular basis. I'm not certain Carnival has met the challenge?
People don't want a digital show. They have become numb to spam and push messages. What people want is an environment where they can engage real people in real ways who are physicallly near them. People are interesting. And when people come together they start playing with each other. Think of the last time you went to a football game. What did you notice about the crowd? The mindset of the fans was playful, fun and exciting. In fact, people love to play with others so much that they even initiate crowd waves, jumping up and laughing as each wave ripples around the stadium. This is what people want. People want to engage in crowd play with those around them. People are getting bored of playing with non humans. At minimum, they are starting to hunger for something more.
When you can provide true crowd play in your app, then you have a chance to build a crowd following. Where there are crowds there is opportunity for businesses to engage and influence. In escence, the true answer lies in all local businesses building the same crowd together rather than each building their own indepent following. Only in this way can businesses leverage their visibility and drive down subscription costs to the three digit range.
Will Carnival succeed where others have failed? If they remain on this course I am skeptical. So what can a brand or local business do now? Not to worry, there are those who have been working and have created a solution?

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Does my bar need "Social Media Management"?

Author: Evolve Social Media

One of the most underestimated tools for bar and restaurant owners is social media.
Using platforms such as Yelp, Facebook and Twitter, eateries are now able to conduct a proactive form of customer service and appreciation.
How can your bar use this? Let's dive in!
Do you have a slow Monday night at your bar? Or maybe a daily special that people just don't know about? This is where social media management is very beneficial~
Social Media can increase awareness about that UFC fight your bar is broadcasting. It can also be used to proactively settle issues with disgruntled customers that may choose to post negatively about your business. The main question business owners have about social media is "Do I want to do it myself, or do I want to pay someone else to do it?".
With our custom social media management packages, your restaurant can send daily updates pertaining to drink specials, events, and food specials every day! Using demographic targeting and post timing, you are now able to control exactly who sees your message, and when they see it.
So how do you use this to benefit your establishment? Easy! Run daily advertisements via social media and pay per click ads that direct people to your social media profiles. From here, your daily posts should pertain to daily events at your restaurant, timed at the highest trafficked times online.
4 Important factors with social media content posting:

1. Post Timing
2. Posts should contain a clear message and call to action
3. Original and engaging content
4. An attractive image, link, or video to enhance the message

Running a contest on your Facebook and Twitter profiles is a great way to gain a following and to create a "recapture" in which browsers will continue to receive your online updates by "Liking" your page on Facebook, or "Following" you on Twitter.
Using a combination of the above strategies, we are able to engage browsers using a multi-level engagement strategy that can bring your social media following to the next level!
For those who want "complete control" over their social media profiles, Evolve offers Social Media Coaching online and in person. With our various packages available, you are able to specifically request what you want to learn for each video training module.
Silver and Gold members enjoy the benefit of having their social media profiles updated by a professional as they walk you through the steps and teach you how to do it as they work on your company profile!
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