Google Plus: Personal vs Business Accounts I am Confused!

[AshShep1]

Hi so I have both accounts set up, I use my business g+ for sign posting my new blog posts & latest news. I have Authorship set up on my Blog and that is working fine.

I am personally v much a large part of the brand, www.over50choices.co.uk and have my face on the home page and most social property, so when i do use my G+, FB & Twitter accounts, whilst they are the business accounts, its lead by me.

So just what do I use my G+ Persoanl Account for?

I have read that i should either share or duplicate the my updates on both accounts, but will that look like duplication?

I dont have many G+ followers currently but intend to develop this in the next few months, so its important that I get this right if i am to optimise my activity?

Your help appreciated.

Ash

[Christy-Correll]

Happy to help, Ash! I am very happy to hear that things are coming into focus for you.

Yes, there is a lot of information out there, and the platform is rapidly changing. It can be overwhelming at times. You may want to consider joining a couple of Google+ communities on Google+. They are great places to network, as well as ask and answer questions about the Google+ platform. Of course, Q&A is always here to answer your questions as they arise, too.

Cheers,
Christy

[AshShep1]

Thanks Christy

I think its becoming clearer.........so much info around on the subject!

Regards

Ash

[GPainter]

Hi Ash,

It's really a preference. The great thing about signing the blogs (rel=author) is you get the fancy picture in any results which can help you stand out a bit in the SERPs

I suppose you need to ask yourself what you want from Google+ you may find it easier to use the business account for brand announcements but the personal account for e.g blog posts. This may help you build up authority in your niche whilst keeping any +1 on your business page engaged. You can write (well comment) on your business page with your personal page to help reinforce. it's all far too overly complex if you ask me!

If I'm honest I'm not too familiar with duplicate content on social media but lets assume by duplicating it we lessen the value (and the impact). You could look on "sharing" the business post (or visa vesa I suppose) so the value all goes back to the same place.

In short if you work out what you think would benefit your brand you can then fit in the rest around it. I hope some of that helps anyway. Lets not forget Christy and her great suggestions you using your personal account to really contact with your niche.

Good Luck.

[AshShep1]

Hi Chris thanks for your response.

I guess my dilemma has been that because to a large extent I am the brand, what I do & say also effects the brand (i dont mean the really personal stuff, like going on hols etc), my concern with sign posting my blogs just on my personal G+ Account has been that the brand followers will not see them or is this a non issue?

Will duplicating them on both accounts overcome or should i have a clear distinction between them?

Thanks

Ash

[Christy-Correll]

Hi Ash,

If you solely wish to use Google+ for business, then I'd recommend using your personal profile to build your authority as an expert in your field. Network: build relationships with peers, prospects, and customers, and be as helpful to others as you can. Attend Hangouts. Participate in a community (or start one yourself.) Here are a couple of great articles to help you get started:

• http://www.copyblogger.com/google-plus-authority/
• https://plus.google.com/+MarkTraphagen/posts/BZjuHL1kGpa

Cheers,
Christy

[GPainter]

Hi Ash,

I did write a lovely long response unfortunately Moz decided that it was going to remove it so here goes attempt two!

Let me start by a comparison to Facebook. On Facebook you have your personal page which you interact with etc. and you have a business page which people "like" etc. and find info. The same is essentially true for Google+

G+ you have your personal account which can be set up to contribute to websites ( rel=author ) telling people you've done stuff on that site. You have your business page (rel=publisher) which people +1 and talk about the business. The publisher page also can interact a bit more with the SERP. Unfortunately publisher is not as easy as author but they do act differently.

Now you don't really want to have a business set as a "personal" page as it doesn't have some of the features and also doesn't look as professional.

In short:

Use your personal account for rel=author on your site telling Google what you've made on the site (E.g a Blog)

Use a business account for people to +1 and recommend your site as well as interact with your customers

I hope that helps anything else you need to know I'll do my best to help.

More info :

http://www.google.com/+/business/

http://www.google.com/+/business/brands/get-started.html