What is this Google+ nonsense? The web's been buzzing over this new social network that's spreading like wildfire. What can it do? What's the point of it? I'm already on Facebook, leave me alone.
I feel you. I was one of those last, lingering people on MySpace back in 2008. I dreaded moving all my junk to Facebook, and then ended up leaving it because I was disgusted with the less-than-meaningful convo there. I took a long time off, and only rejoined again recently, but with the primary objective of networking with fellow bloggers. And it's been great: I've been able to talk to bloggers about books, meet some great authors, learn about new releases, and win a boatload of books from publisher giveaways. My profile hasn't sent a single old friend a friend request, and though some family members have found me and requested me, most of my fb activities have been conducted under my Lit Endeavors Page. So, it's all good. The two lives are compartmentalized, and I don't have to worry about family thinking I'm smoking crack because I have these silly notions of book reviewing or writing myself. (You know what naysayers family members can be.)
And this is where Google+ comes in. I've been overwhelmed by the staggering amount of people I've "met" on the net. There are fellow writers from SheWrites. Book reviewers from Novel Publicity. Members of Book Bloggers. Author Central and Book Junkies members from Facebook. Twitter friends. And the list goes on and on. Sometimes, I can't remember from where I know someone. And that's what awesome about Google+. You can put people in circles and choose what information you share with whom. Don't want your family to know about the wild night you had with what's-his-name? No reason you should. Send your status updates and share your pics with you "Friends" circle. Want to post an excerpt of the latest book you're reading? Share it with your book blogger friends circle. Want to let your fellow writers see the latest draft of a piece? Only allow them to see it.
You get the point.
Emlyn Chand has a great piece about the basics of Google+, for new users. She discusses the various features of this new social networking site, whereas I'm mostly excited about Circles. She will continue posting tutorials on ways to best use the site for all us tech-challenged folk.
Mashable posted a Google+ Cheat Sheet to help you get started. There's a great tip about creating a vanity url that you won't want to miss.
Are you on Google+ ? How are you liking it so far? What do you like and what bothers you about it?
Not on Google+ and wanna be? Shoot me an email and I'll send you an invite. Easy Peasy.
Wanna connect?
Here's my vanity url:
gplus.to/LitEndeavors
Some of you aren't on Google+ and don't want to be. Completely understandable. Between Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Google+, Klout, and all other social networking, it can leave your head spinning and not in the good way. It's necessary to manage your time, and be aware that getting on a site for a supposed ten minutes may stretch into an hour in what feels like ten minutes. Not good for those who actually need to do other things, like read, write, work, and take care of the kiddos.
But if you can set limits for yourself, and follow them, you'll find that social networking sites add a dimension to your life that is immensely gratifying and fulfilling.
