google help outs: your new best friend
DESCRIPTION
Presentation by Kelly Zdrowak at FLBlogCon 2014.TRANSCRIPT
The Power of Bloggers
• Hold the power to help • Hold the power to change the media • Hold the power to create new ideas • Hold the power to spread awareness • Hold the power to enlighten • Hold the power to succeed, brighten days, save lives…
The Power to Pay it Forward
What is Paying it Forward? EssenCally: Do good for the sake of doing good
Common misconcepCons? It has to be a very difficult task It has to be expensive You will have to go out of your way to do it
What if it was easy?
• You can do it from your room • You can do it while aimlessly surfing pinterest or tumblr
• You can do it everyday • You can do it in your pajamas • You can literally change lives all around the world…
What is Helpouts Help?
• DicConary.com To give or provide what is necessary to accomplish a task or sa6sfy a need
To do something that makes it easier to do a job, to deal with a problem.
The Basics
• Google Helpouts is a format that allows you to meet with people one on one through live video chat using Google Hangouts.
What We’ll Cover
• Different Categories • Free vs. Paid • CreaCng your lisCng – Intro video/ Photo – QualificaCons/ DescripCon – Session length/ price
• Pros and Cons • How this can benefit bloggers • How to become a (SUCCESSFUL) provider
#HelpoutHigh
• Helpout High: an intense feeling of happiness and fulfillment whenever you finish a successful Helpout session
Free vs. Paid
• Free – Good to Start
• Paid – Make Money
– Avoid Spam
• First Helpout Free – If you expect follow ups
Intro Video
Google’s Tips • Be yourself • Under 1 minute • Say: – Your name – QualificaCons – What you’ll offer – What inspired you to give Helpouts
My Tips
• Look/ talk as you will in your session • Don’t say “um” or “like” • Don’t overedit • Use Helpouts icon at bo`om • Use a good camera/ related background
Your Photos
Background Photo: • Related to lisCng • Good lighCng • High quality • Look good next to profile picture – Eye catching – InviCng
QualificaCons Include: • Past research projects • Ambassador work • Schooling – Earned degrees and/ or cerCficates
• Volunteer/ Community Service related work • Relate jobs/ blogs • When/ for how long for all • How you can be reached on social media • Be very specific to why valid
DescripCon
• List what they can expect to have help with in the lisCng very specifically
• Keep it clear and concise • MenCon promoConal code….
Promo Code
• If you have a paid session, people can get 25 dollars off and you’ll sCll get paid normal price!
• Given to all providers • Great way to bring in skepCcal customers • Catch: You need a Google Wallet account
Length of LisCng
• 15 minutes • 30 minutes • 1 hour
All depends on what you’re offering and how much Cme you need.
Pricing
• Remember… Google takes 20%. Don’t get too into the numbers
• Don’t want to scare people away but you’re valuing your Cme.
• Per minute/ Per session… Or both
What’s the Difference? Per minute – Inconsistent prices… Too much/ too li`le – Too focused on length versus actually listening
Per session – Preferred method. Guaranteed for provider and client
Both – One or the other, client chooses
Pros
• There is an amazing community of providers • You get to meet people all over the world! – New Zealand, England, Australia, Sweden, etc.
• It’s an amazing way to spend your free Cme • Again, the #HelpoutHigh • You can make money • You can promote your blog • The list does go on…
Cons
• MarkeCng… Google does SOME, but very li`le • Spammers • Working out the schedule can be very tricky. I’ve had some bad instances with this
• It can be difficult to gain tracCon or find a niche if there are a lot of other similar lisCngs
What Will This do for my Blog?
• You can talk to your readers whenever from your own room/ office
• You can answer their quesCons right there versus having to do it in the comments
• They’ll have more of a connecCon with your blog
• It’s an experience they’ll want to talk about… Word of mouth is huge!
Interested?
• Go to h`p://www.helpouts.google.com and apply to be a provider
• You’ll have to go through an interview and have your lisCng approved.
• Add widget to blog (Helpouts provides code)
Before
• Make sure you’re ready • Go live! – More likely to get a session
• Send messages – Tell what they can expect in the session – What they need installed – Sound friendly and excited to help – Include contact and social media informaCon
Dear _____________,
Thank you for booking an appointment with me! Before, make sure you have the "hangout" plugin downloaded from the iTunes App Store. It's free. If you already have it, you can make sure it's working by tesCng it here h`ps://helpouts.google.com/m/111421743141645456280/ls/b41c1faef6b76d0f?authuser=0 Since we only have 15 minutes to talk, I'd love if you could get together a list of quesCons you have. They should be your top burning quesCons :). My blog is www.healthylivingrevelaCons.com. I recommend checking that out beforehand as I'll be linking to it quite oten .You can also follow me on Twi`er, Facebook, Google Plus, and Pinterest to see even more cool Cps and advice on healthy living (links below)
Sincerely, Kelly Zdrowak Healthy Living RevelaCons Facebook: h`p://www.facebook.com/HealthyRevelaCons Twi`er: h`p://www.twi`er.com/kzdrowak Google+: h`p://plus.goggle.com/+KellyZdrowak Pinterest: h`p://www.pinterest.com/kzdrowak
During
• Listen! • Take notes of links you menCon • Look for key words/ phrases – Are they talking about future sessions? – For fitness and nutriCon: Insecure, weight loss, juicing, night eaCng, eaCng disorder, prepping meals
• Ask for feedback at end… That’s what will increase your credibility as a provider
Ater • Send a follow up message including all links menConed
• Put in a note in your calendar to follow up for a second Cme if they are interested in meeCng with you again
• Thank them for their Cme • Say you’re looking forward to hearing their feedback if they hadn’t said anything… They sCll can even ater!
• If comfortable, add them to your circles on Google Plus
Conclusion
• Put yourself ahead with blog markeCng • This is the future • Pay it Forward • Once in a lifeCme opportunity in which amazing stories and #HelpoutHighs form