Google+ Hangouts Benefits for Small Business

If you already use Google Apps and Gmail for your business it makes perfect sense to look at the potential Google+ Hangout has for your business.

There are lots of services out there that allow you to hold video conferencing with a group of people, share your computer screen, etc. However, most of these services are not free.

What are some of the benefits for your business? With Hangouts you can:

• Host live, face-to-face conference calls with others
• Promote new products
• Demonstrate product features
• Create a video blog
• Hold internal meetings with employees
• Create training videos or industry talks
• Conduct interviews with loyal customers
• And so much more

Some of the features include screen sharing and collaboration on documents in Google Drive. You can add your hangout as events on your Google Calendar. You can even join hangouts right from your Google Calendar. For participants to join a hangout they need to be invited.

How to use Hangouts:

1/ Go to your Google+ Page and click the “More” option located in the left-hand column, then click “Hangouts.” You will be taken to the Hangouts page.

2/ Click the red “Start a Hangout” button located in the upper right-hand corner. This opens the Hangouts dialog box, where you will be asked to do the following.

• Give the hangout a name
• Add names of the people you wish to invite, Google+ circles, or email addresses. You can add participants via telephone, but they will be limited to voice access only.
• Enable Hangouts On Air, if needed.

3/ Click the blue “Hang out” button to begin the session. After a short countdown, your Hangout will start broadcasting on your Google+ profile, your YouTube channel — if Hangouts On Air is selected — and on any website where you’ve embedded it.

During a hangout you will be able to chat with people using text, share your screen and share or create documents on Google Drive.

You will also be able to use Hangouts On Air to live stream your Hangouts within Google+ and on your YouTube Channel after the Hangout ends. You can even share the recording on your website.

Google Hangout is easy to set up and it’s screen and document sharing make it a great alternative to Skype and Go To Meetings.