July 5, 2011 93 Comments

How to Blog With Google Plus

I have two ideas for how you can “blog” (sort of) with Google+ . The first is this:

Blogging with Google+

I started with some text and a video uploaded, and then I rushed in and commented in a few links to subsequent YouTube videos. Then, with that done, I had basically fashioned a “bundle” of content (Hat tip, @Kosso, for the same term I was thinking).

Blogging With Google+

First, I don’t think Google+ replaces blogs yet. Not sure that it ever will. But that’s not the question. The question was whether I could multi-media up a post, because right now, the methodology is you can write text and then include one of the following:

  • Link to a URL
  • Photo
  • Video

But not any combo of the three.

So, here’s what I did.

  1. Start a new stream post, and upload video (to be the starting point of the story). Click publish.
  2. Comment immediately (as fast as I can) and add links or text or whatever else.
  3. Voila – a bundle/blog post.

Version 2 of Blogging with Google+

Another way this could be done and encourage collaboration would be to do the following:

  1. Pick a post-type (again, I’d probably start with video), and just write up your text, upload your video and publish.
  2. Create another full post-type and add the next element. This is where you could do a collaboration, because if you asked people all to create a post on their account and then have them message you the links to those posts (every post in G+ has a unique URL), then that’s a fun collaboration.
  3. Start a NEW post, and top that with something (video!), and then in the comments below, link up all the G+ posts people had made in the comments section.

Inelegant, easy to make mistakes, and likely to be confusing for most, I admit. But it’s a start. Mind you, I had to copy/paste REALLY quick, and even then, Shel Holtz showed up and dropped in a random comment pretty quickly. (No worries, Shel. If not you, than someone).

One Way to Hack Even That

You COULD post this at first to just yourself, then you’d have all the editing time in the world. Then, you could edit who you’ve shared the post with, and poof – I’ve invented “drafts.”

Only, I just tested it out and it didn’t work. You can’t edit SHARING, it turns out, so I’m left without a way to make it work. Do YOU have any ideas?

What do you think?

ChrisBrogan.com runs on the Genesis Framework

Genesis Theme Framework

The Genesis Framework empowers you to quickly and easily build incredible websites with WordPress. Whether you're a novice or advanced developer, Genesis provides you with the secure and search-engine-optimized foundation that takes WordPress to places you never thought it could go.

With automatic theme updates and world-class support included, Genesis is the smart choice for your WordPress website or blog.

Become a StudioPress Affiliate

Newer Comments →
  • http://twitter.com/tomewer Tom Ewer

    If Google does become a major player in social media, I wonder how long it will take? Facebook is looking more and more like the new MySpace…perhaps social media is cyclical…

  • http://www.pacebutler.com/cash-for-old-cell-phones.cfm call phone cash

    I am waiting for that when Google become on top in social media and Idea will automatically generate then,Can you tell me when Google launch Google +

  • Steve Scaysbrook

    Video did not want to play in either Safari or Google Chrome, I don’t yet have Gogle Plus, so is the video Specific !, nice thought though

  • http://twitter.com/JudyHelfand JudyHelfand

    Or you could use FACEBOOKS’ Notes feature. With NOTES you can add a photo and URL. You can preview, save a draft, select privacy level…

    It is a little hard to follow all of your ideas or steps, because we don’t have an invite to the quality assurance (QA) group.

  • http://www.linesvinesjonastimes.co.cc/why-should-you-use-ebridge-advatage-for-your-business eBridge advertising

    Great article! Thanks for taking the time to put all the different resources together!

  • http://onlineincometeacher.com/ Matt Smith

    Nice post Chris!  It will be interesting to see how Google+ takes off in the next few months.  I don’t think it will replace blogging, but it could provide to be a useful tool for the blogger!

  • Christopher Johnston

    I have also found that the videos on Google Plus don’t play in the Android app. You get a screen grab from the video but when you click on it it goes back to the post, basically the app treats it like an image. As it currently stands someone would need to view this on the desktop for this to work

  • Anonymous

    I got an invite for this on Sunday which I accepted but I’d not actually seen it in the flesh. It looks really interesting though. I can imagine, that there will be a lot of “shares” just the same as on Facebook.  I  agree, I don’t think it will replace blogging, but it could be a serious contender to Facebook.

  • Pingback: Google Plus For Lawyers: Essential Resources

  • http://rickmanelius.com Rick Manelius

    Love the enthusiasm, but hacking the system is probably unsustainable as the hack is one google update away from being broken for good!

    I bet google+ eventually releases more mashable features. But personally, I prefer my blog for complex mashups as I’ll always have full control! But in a pinch, it’s nice to know it can be hacked together in google+!

  • http://rickmanelius.com Rick Manelius

    Love the enthusiasm, but hacking the system is probably unsustainable as the hack is one google update away from being broken for good!

    I bet google+ eventually releases more mashable features. But personally, I prefer my blog for complex mashups as I’ll always have full control! But in a pinch, it’s nice to know it can be hacked together in google+!

  • http://justinmwhitaker.com justinmwhitaker

    Chris,

    I like your thinking on this…as a “scratch pad” for blogging, Google+ could be a great tool. Not sure that “hacking” the system is really worth it UNLESS:

    1) We are saying that our blog community, or target community is already connected to us on Google+

    2) We are also saying that what Fred Wilson and Umair Haque are calling “Microchunked” content is the wave of the future (it is)

    3) Other platforms, such as Amplify, Tumblr, or Storify do not provide us with the same reach, or ease of use.

    Still, interesting to think about. 

    You really could have a conversation around blog-like content, which may be why it’s worth doing.

    Thanks for sharing!
    JW

  • http://www.shashi.name/ Shashib

    Hi Chris,

    I used the option of emailing your post that Blogger offers to send a post to my blog (http://www.shashi.co/2011/07/blogging-from-status-update-i-used.html) The disadvantage is that the email address ( usually secret) appears in public and you ahve to edit it out uickly.

    Shashi

    • Mitchell Allen

      Yikes!
      I’m glad I saw this comment. Will share.
      I love to experiment, and Email2Blog is one of the things I fool around with.

      Thanks, Shashib!

      Chris, I love your experimentation. Hopefully, the features will expand to cover your desires.

      Cheers,

      Mitch

  • Daniel Lean

    ¿How do you make a text link in G+?

  • http://www.2makeonlinemoney.com/ Sonali Joshi

    i think Google plus will give competition for Facebook in near future…

  • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com @kylereed

    I think its a great idea…now to just be allowed into google+ 

    still waiting for it to open back up

  • http://www.thedatingspecialist.com Nick

    There’s certain features of Google+ that stand out to me and then I scratch my head with “Why doesn’t Facebook have that?” Example: being able to edit updates…something so simple and important — especially when going out to lots of people. I think the next few months are going to be a pick and take from both sides implementing new ideas. Let the battle begin!

  • http://twitter.com/jay_zo Jay Acunzo

    One thing you can try is to create a circle just for yourself, IF you have a 2nd email address/Google Account. keep in mind Google identifies you by your Google Account, not your email address (and more signed up/in users is a major goal of G+). If you create multiple Accounts and finagle 2 invites into G+ (or wait until July 31 for public launch, as Mashable reported today), you can share your “bundle” to yourself, do what you will with it, then blast it out to whomever.

    Janky, sure…but we’re standing on the tip of the iceberg and talking about it like it’s already Antarctica.

  • Harmony Wheeler

    Reminds me a bit of the mini blog posts you see on Tumblr.

  • Pingback: Google Plus -- My 25 Random User Insights and Observations | Nate Riggs is Social Business Strategies | Content Marketing and Social Media Consulting

  • http://shop.eluxury2sale.com/ LVbags1129

    To-die-for bag alert! I am certainly loving the Louis Vuitton Mahina Surya XL 2009 which swiftly grew to turn out to be cozy

    subsequent it released nationwide for several days. I believed Ive gotten greater than my purple and violet place but who can

    resist this Surya from Louis Vuitton? Its just gorgeous!Surya signifies sunlight in Hindi, as well as this bags producer pays

    homage for the Hindu sunlight god. He represents soul, will-power, fame, standard vitality, courage, really positioned people

    these times and authority. This mirror photo XL bag, in lightweight, discreetly perforated Monogram calf patent leather, has

    brought utmost luxury enjoyment.

  • http://www.online-business-virtual-assistant.com/ Virtual Business Assistant

    This is such a great post Chris! and thanks for the share.

    Google +1 eventually may turn into a core social product that can
    expand in new directions.

     

  • http://www.online-business-virtual-assistant.com/ Virtual Business Assistant

    This is such a great post Chris! and thanks for the share.

    Google +1 eventually may turn into a core social product that can
    expand in new directions.

     

  • http://www.online-business-virtual-assistant.com/ Virtual Business Assistant

    This is such a great post Chris! and thanks for the share.

    Google +1 eventually may turn into a core social product that can
    expand in new directions.

     

  • http://www.online-business-virtual-assistant.com/ Virtual Business Assistant

    This is such a great post Chris! and thanks for the share.

    Google +1 eventually may turn into a core social product that can
    expand in new directions.

     

  • http://www.online-business-virtual-assistant.com/ Virtual Business Assistant

    This is such a great post Chris! and thanks for the share.

    Google +1 eventually may turn into a core social product that can
    expand in new directions.

     

  • http://www.online-business-virtual-assistant.com/ Virtual Business Assistant

    This is such a great post Chris! and thanks for the share.

    Google +1 eventually may turn into a core social product that can
    expand in new directions.

     

  • http://www.online-business-virtual-assistant.com/ Virtual Business Assistant

    This is such a great post Chris! and thanks for the share.

    Google +1 eventually may turn into a core social product that can
    expand in new directions.

     

  • http://www.online-business-virtual-assistant.com/ Virtual Business Assistant

    This is such a great post Chris! and thanks for the share.

    Google +1 eventually may turn into a core social product that can
    expand in new directions.

     

  • http://www.online-business-virtual-assistant.com/ Virtual Business Assistant

    This is such a great post Chris! and thanks for the share.

    Google +1 eventually may turn into a core social product that can
    expand in new directions.

     

  • http://www.online-business-virtual-assistant.com/ Virtual Business Assistant

    This is such a great post Chris! and thanks for the share.

    Google +1 eventually may turn into a core social product that can
    expand in new directions.

     

  • http://www.online-business-virtual-assistant.com/ Virtual Business Assistant

    This is such a great post Chris! and thanks for the share.

    Google +1 eventually may turn into a core social product that can
    expand in new directions.

     

  • http://win-warhammer-40k.blogspot.com/ Darkseer

    I want Google+ so bad. I wish they’d just open the gates and let the world flood in already.

  • Martin Cronier

    I think the idea with using G+ as a blog is excellent! My question is how easy it would be to index and easily find old “posts” later on?

  • Pingback: 12 Flavors of Content To Attract Your Audience

  • http://www.webmarketingpartners.com Mj

    Interesting sequence Chris. Use all of Google’s properties(Youtube , Blogger picasa) I know they have changed the names today. Make the rounds on all the bases.That would put face book as a second place also ran.

    M.J.

  • http://www.marrowbones.com/commons/technosocial/ Kee Hinckley

    You can’t edit sharing, but you can reshare it. Create a private group with nobody in it (or if you want, put your EverNote email address in it, that can be handy). Edit and comment. Now reshare it publicly.

  • http://www.marrowbones.com/commons/technosocial/ Kee Hinckley

    Following up on my own comment. Obviously what we want from Google is:

    a) more than one piece of content
    b) drafts
    c) permanent pages with RSS feeds (ideally, I’d make them public smart groups based on tags, then I could tag a post “blog” and it would automatically end up in my public blog feed for everyone to read). Bonus, if I didn’t share it publicly, only some people would see it in my blog (doesn’t extend to the RSS, but that’s fine).

    Add those three things and this could be an awesome blog system. Extend it with WYSIWYG editing for bonus points.

    I’m sure we’ll get there eventually. Google is right to focus first on features than enhance the control of social interactions. Content can come later.

  • Pingback: 12 Flavors of Content To Attract Your Audience « Digimedie Daglige Nyheder

  • http://dmalyar.com/ dmalyar

    успешная жизнь 

  • http://www.khaledscorner.com خالد

    Great article, thanks

  • http://www.louis-vuitton-fake.com LVbags1129

    this really is their ever-sophisticated handbags.
    How are these abrupt discounts possible? low cost LV nevefull bags, purses and additional content articles are accessible near to the internet. Fortunately, on this morning and age, there are avenues that acquiesce Louis Vuitton admirers to purchase Louis Vuitton commodity at abrupt discounts?? as an awesome offer as sixty % off, to acquire additional specific. like a result, Vuitton commodity is away from ability for them.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_DK63YQ7AHOU6ZQWO7XGYHCHKC4 AnBean

    sssssssssssssssssssssssssss

  • Pingback: Nate Riggs: Blogging Style Guide and Critiques Weekly | Nate Riggs is Social Business Strategies | Content Marketing and Social Media Consulting

  • Edgar Martinez

    ask google to include this 

  • http://www.mactonweb.com seo bangalore

    Nice article on Google blogs.

  • Pingback: Google Plus: Owning the Future of Business Collaboration | Nate Riggs is Social Business Strategies | Content Marketing and Social Media Consulting

  • Pingback: Why Google Plus May Not Be a Smart Move | @PushingSocial

  • Pingback: Yep, I’m on the Google Plus Bus « A Media Mix

  • Pingback: Own Your Content

Newer Comments →