G+ Impact, When you Plus some One else.

Recently, the 7 Rivers Figure Skating Club web site has seen a surge in search results and traffic.  I found out what had happened.  Because at first I was concerned that it was a false hit or worse.

Recently, Google created their Pages for groups and businesses.  I used the Plus1 button on a few things as the "7 Rivers Figure Skating Club" G+ profile.  The results have been wonderful.  To the right, I have displayed a portion of the Google Search Results graph for our figure skating club.

Thank you Google, this is such a wonderful tool.

Online Strategy for 2012

Google for NonProfits logo

On a posting by Google for NonProfits G+ account, they asked what your non-profit's strategy will be for 2012.

Being that this blog is all about my discovery into assisting non-profit figure skating clubs, I could write a few comments here.  At least regarding our online activities.

• Enroll into more Google Programs
• Google for Non-Profits
• YouTube
• Google Check-Out
• Following G+ developments and integration
• Picasa and Photo integration
• Google Calendar integration
• Introduce Google Adsense 
• Yahoo - Flicker integration
• Customized Email accounts
• Use demographics data gained by Adscense and Google Analytics to improve:
• Local Advertising
• Introduce campaigns for Figure Skating Competitions and Test Sessions

Search increased, traffic increased

Something that I am finding interesting, search results is a general indicator that is much more of an overall indicator or you're web site's visibility on the Internet.  When your site is showing more often and more consistent during search queries, then you can pretty much bet the general traffic will increase.

I'm using Google.com/Webmasters/Tools, Google.com/Analytics, and something proprietary from my web server for my analysis.  The interesting thing is, I don't think I can say I have an increase in clicks from those searches.  However, there has been an uptick in general traffic.  

What has been increasing is direct traffic, and referrals from other websites. Resent changes have been to add a Google+ link and further comments from this blog.  Also, in the USA, we have the start of the Christmas Holiday Shopping season.  Some one at the ice rink, during club lessons, informed me that by including some information about where to buy figure skates, we pop up on the short list of web sites.

I think this will be further evidence I need to start a program at the rink where I or some one interview all sorts of skaters and post their comments at the club web site.  Getting members to talk about what makes them like this sport may pay off very well in the future. 

I'm sure I will have approval.  I just have to remind myself this is something that will take time.

Traffic Sources: all in a day

True, one of the side affects of this blog may be generating visits to my wife's figure skating club.  But the following is not what I intended:

7RFSC - Going Global

Yes, this is all from traffic generated today, November 20th, 2011.  

• 4 in the USA (2 are probably me)
• 1 in Check Republic
• 1 in Slovakia
• 1 in Latvia
• 1 in Indonesia?

I always thought I could use this site traffic information to identify how the club could market a competition... but some how, I don't think Tomah, Sparta, or La Crosse can host anything of an International level.  But if you guys are getting useful information from what I'm blogging about, I'm honored.

Getting your Members to help 1: G+ & Photos

Fresh and unpainted: Ice

G+ Integration into your club's figure skating site:  Photos.  There are always people that will have apposing views of what you post at your club's web site.  Specially photos.

So, one of the things that Google Plus does for you is it makes it easy to know when a photo is public or not.  You can have a member of your organization tag a photo with your organisation's name.  You will be notified and you can send a simple private message to this person making sure it is OK to use.

When you click on an image in G+, a simple right click will reveal the image URL.  Just use that link to display your image.

7RFSC Logo @ Moose Lamb Arena, Tomah, WI

Ideally, this also gives some control to your fellow members.  If they realize that they no longer want the picture at the website, they just take it down on their G+ Profile.

More over, this can make your web server more effective.  Specially if your server has it's own bandwidth issues or storage space limitations.

This way you can get your members to feel involved with the website and feel like they have a say.  The benefit for the club is that you have now driven your members to sign up for G+.

Well, that is the theory, any way.  But check out the pictures in this blog posting.  

The source for these are from Google Plus.

Google Plus Pages - for Non-Profits

Google + Pages for Non-Profits

A Hangout Session

On November 15th, I got the chance to meet with, in a Google Hang Out, Leslie, Manager of the G+ Pages for NonProfits and with Gopi Kallayil.  There were 3 hangouts available.  There was going to be one with a general population and one with invitations.  I got to participate in 2.  

First, I have to say I'm still not used to a company being so open with the public.  Also, I am not used to being in the place where I have opportunity to interview people in these positions.  

Google was seeking us in the non-profit sector for feedback concerning their services, specifically about the Brand Pages.  I did not get a chance to ask them everything I wanted, and I think that was my fault... I found myself talking about myself too much, I think.  

Some of the points I came away with.

The Plus sign isn't Boolean any more.

• G+ will become integrated into search in other ways.  They are going to use the "+" before a name so that you can get the Google Plus page to come up for that organization.  
• Code linking between your website and G+.  This will help some of your statistic information and the search verification between your home page and the G+ Profile page.  
• Google is actively looking for how to allow for better brand management.  Essentially, when you want more than one person to edit the page.  To be able to edit that page as that company / non-profit and not as another segment of that group.

G+ Pages Utility: Club Events

Club Events on G+:  Hang Outs



I will be looking at proposing the use of Google Plus Hang Outs for club events.

Hang outs could be used for spacific usefull events.  For instance, the annual meeting and general registration days.

Perhaps this could be used as a means to do a limited broadcast of other club events.