So Google+ had an update recently and just like you I'm trying to figure out how to use it, what the benefit's are or if I even like it (jury's still out on that one).

Regardless of all the 'new white space' and, love it or hate it, Google+ is here to stay.

Google is pushing this bad boy (so it doesnt lose the social media race), and if those Google (augmented reality glasses) are anything to go by (and by that I mean 'real'), then Facebook better watch out!

In the meantime though, check out SocioloG+ - it's a great resource to help you take full advantage of Google+

http://sociologyplus.com/

Is Google+ a ghost town on the demise?

"No way!" say's Guy Kawasaki, author of recently released e-book 'What The Plus?' 

According to Kawasaki, Google+ is on the threshold of becoming the largest Social Network ever, and not just because it's another Facebook or Twitter, but simply as part of the Google search engine we use everyday (which is 3 billion times per day by the way!).

To give you an idea of how successful the growth of Users of Google+ was when launched, it took just 24 days to reach 20 million users; whereas Twitter took 1035 days and Facebook took 1152 days.

(FYI new kid on the block - Pinterest - which celebrates its first birthday in May, has already reached 11 million users in roughly 300 days.)

As of February 2012, Google+ hit 100 million users, Twitter had 500 million and Facebook users numbered 845 million users.

'What the Plus?' is now available for download from Guy Kawasaki's website www.whattheplus.com      

While in San Francisco last week, I took a two hour trip north of San Francisco to the webcasting studio's of TWiT.tv (This Week in Technology) in Petaluma, California.

This fabulous (web only) broadcast station, (http://twit.tv) has as many as five shows a day, and I spent a whole day meeting their team and interviewing Leo Laporte on the technology used in the station including sitting in on his shows.

Over the course of the day, I met with their technical staff, Eileen Rivera (Supervising Producer and featured below on mixing desk), CEO Lisa Kentzell and Sarah Lane (host of iPad today & The Social Hour) and was also given a guided tour through the operations and technology that powers the studio.

We're looking forward to applying what we learnt towards Rocket! tv, the establishment of our own interactive education and support webcast station for our Business Catalyst clients & reseller partner network. So stay tuned!

* Special thanks to Eva Laporte for organising my time with Leo & Lisa at TWiT.tv :)

Facebook Timeline for Business will take effect for everyone on the 31st of March.

We have put together a quick list of Facebook Timeline changes you need to know!

Cover Photo

Timeline’s cover photo allows you to create an eye-catching, descriptive visual of your brand.

Image Dimensions - 851 x 315 pixels

Use every pixel of screen real estate available (851 x 315 pixels), and change the image occasionally, in line with campaigns or other events relevant to your business. You cannot have ANY calls to action in this cover image area.

Profile Image

This image represents your business' identity and should remain unchanged.

Image Dimensions -  180 x 180 pixels

About Us Section

Your profile’s “About” section is prime, above-the-fold real estate to feature a short and punchy overview of who you are as a business or entity and why people need to find out more about your business' story.

Character Limit - 170, ensure you use your web address as appropriate

Review Facebook’s updated Page Guidelines to ensure your page is up to the latest standards, noting in particular the information around cover images.

Milestones

A milestone is a major event that is particularly relevant to your brand, such as a product launch,
personnel announcement, store opening, or other moment that is significant to your brand’s
growth and development.

Make the most out of milestones:

• Use photos & videos to tell your story
• Tailor the content to the industry to which your brand belongs
• Include questions to prompt conversation with your fans

Pin Posts

A pin post is a post that a brand may “pin” to the top of its Timeline for 7 days at a time, as a way
to curate its Timeline content and encourage a post’s “stickiness.”

Image Dimensions - 404 x 404 pixels

Make the most out of pin posts:

• Showcase links and other information about tabs and promotions that you want to drive
  visitors to - such as encourage people to LIKE your page
• When you’re running a contest or campaign, pin a post that calls attention to a particular
  phase of the promotion, and schedule the post to run the length of the promotion’s phase

Stars

Highlight an important post on your brand’s Timeline by “starring” it. When you star a post, it will expand to widescreen and always be visible. Milestones cannot be starred, so aim to star non milestone posts that you wish to call particular attention to.

To star a post on your Timeline, simply hover over the post and click the star icon that appears.

Image Dimensions - 843 x 403 pixels

What tabs should I features below the cover photo?

Tabs are more narrowly scoped in the Timeline format: there are four tabs featured on the top navigation, and brands can customize three of them (the Photos tab is fixed).

Since the featured tabs are always visible to users who visit your Timeline, you should choose them strategically.

To see additional tab applications, users must expand the tab panel by clicking a drop-down box located in the top navigation. If you wish to integrate new features here, we are happy to help! 

Make the most of tabs:

• Focus attention on the photos you upload, as this tab is always front and centre!
• Switch up your three customizable tabs periodically, according to current brand objectives, product releases, or product popularity. You may not have 3 tabs! Do not worry if you don't!
• Choose tab images that are descriptive and are good 'CALL to ACTION ' images
• Assign names to your tabs that clearly indicate what the tabs is about - again this is another 'CALL to ACTION' here
• If you drive users to a landing tab, include an on-brand call to action in the tab name that encourages users to click (e.g., “Shop Now” or “Book Here!”)

Image Dimensions - 111 x 74 pixels

What do I need to know about direct messages?

Timeline gives users the ability to send private, direct messages to brand pages. It is a great potential customer service tool. Make sure that you put processes in place to check these messages sent to your Facebook Page so that messages your page receives are responded to or escalated in a timely, appropriate manner.

It’s worth noting that Timeline does not give brands the ability to direct message fans or other users. You can respond to a user up to two times, but only after that user starts the conversation with your brand. 

On the 31st of March - Facebook will be rolling out a significant change to how business pages look and work. Facebook Timeline will take effect for all business pages around this day.

Is your business ready?

We will be conducting several information sessions to help you get ready for the change.

We can also book you in for any changes you would like us to do on your behalf.

This information session will cover

1. The new cover page and changes to the rules around what can be used on this graphic
2. Modifications to your TABS and where they will appear now
3. Favourites - what this means for your key content
4. Changes to your default landing page
5. Private messenging - how this works for brands.

For more details, make sure you visit our training page.

Places are filling fast - so don't delay!

Today we spent a very productive day away from our computers!

With a full day ahead of us, Brendon presented '2012 and beyond', which outlined not so much our reinvention as our evolution.

Throughout the day the team spent time understanding the history of Bosweb, and the growth & growing pains that we've gone through to get to this point and, more importantly, how our business is "Rocketing" ahead. 

Brendon lays out the future of the Bosweb Rocket! 

The team came together to share idea's, collaborate on increasing business efficiencies and develop internal system & process improvement strategies.

Leanne explains the management of growing our team(s)

Still at it over lunch (a very full day and no rest for the wicked!)  

The day end's on-site, planning for the move ...

Hanging in the "car park" - under development!

We look forward to revealing more in the coming months!

Many thanks to those brave revolutionaries who joined us to take on our Social Media Revolution information session.

We taught them how to increase sales by marketing with Social Media and how tools such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Google+ can work for business.

Our Social Media for Business workshop answered many questions and reassured our clients about connecting with their customers.

Social Media has been attributed with starting revolutions, bringing down governments and changing the way we think, buy and communicate with each other in ways not seen ever.

We were delighted to share this uprising with all those in our session. 

View all our photo's here

A little out of date - but a taste of things to come!

Join the revolution - the social media revolution - book now!

As the year heads to a close – are you prepared for Christmas? (read more below).

In recent news we presented at Adobe MAX in Los Angeles. Brendon returned inspired and enthused having met premier Business Catalyst web development partners from around the world (read more here)

Getting Ready for Christmas

Today our in house training focussed on industry leading techniques to convert your email marketing campaign browsers into buyers.

We looked at concrete ways to layout your email campaigns with the emphasis on conversions.

Couldn't make it - then our current promotion could be for you? Make sure you click on the left to redeem your discount code!

Upcoming Training

What training would you like or need for 2012?

Please complete our survey for your chance to win a $50 gift voucher.

Complete survey now

Recent Launches

Ange and the team have been really turning out some great sites for clients all over the eastern seaboard - from Toowoomba down to Melbourne and beyond.

Mission Control

Make sure you keep up to date with the latest industry news as well as as tips to use your Online Business Tools better!

On a happy note, Luke is getting married in a few weeks, so he is having a well earned break and the delightful Katie Kidd - our content developer will be on hand in the office to assist with the support queue.

Congratulations Luke and Lana!