How do I build author rank on Google+ ?

[tcolling]

I have a website for one of my businesses at www.trustworthycare.com that we've been building upon for many years.  On that site we have a lot of content and we publish at least two blog articles each week with solid content that is relevant to members of the market that the business wants to attract as customers.

I have a second website for a new business at www.ageassistance.com that is in the same market but which operates in a different manner.  That second business is very new.  It also publishes two articles per week.

Both sites name me as the author and I have created a Google+ page for myself.  The sites identify me as the author for google+ author purposes.

Both businesses also have google+ pages.  The weekly articles are being pushed out to the respective Google+ business pages as well as to my own Google+ page.

I think I've got all the basics established for us to take advantage of google+ for SEO purposes, then.  Is that correct?

If so, what do we do next?  What matters?  Getting others to +1 my posts?  On which Google+ page, mine or the businesses?  Getting others to share my posts?  If so, is it better to get them shared from my personal page, or from the businesses' pages?

Thanks!

[tcolling]

Thanks for pointing out that article.  I appreciate your help.

[tcolling]

Thank you for taking time to point that out.  I appreciate your help!

[tcolling]

Thank you for taking time to write such a detailed response.  I appreciate your help!

[Francisco_Meza]

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Advanced AuthorRank: 25 Tactics for the Individual to the Enterprise Level

[gfiedel]

Francisco! I was just about to suggest that tColling join one of the Google+ communities. Here's the one I joined:

https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/115758385206378551362

They are very helpful for learning how to use it to its fullest and to ask questions.

[gfiedel]

Hi Tcolling,

I just wrote you a long, detailed response on my ipad and when I hit "post" there was an SEOMoz error and it was lost. Arggh. I'll try to recreate what I said now, from my desk.

I had many of the same questions when I started using Google+ in the same way you are. Once you start getting the hang of it and contributing, the +1's and Circles will begin to generate- and quickly.

Here's what I've learned:

It's best to post your blog links (to Public and all  your Circles) with generous intros on both your business page and your personal profile. And then participate as YOU in order to build trust and Authorship.  When I switched back and forth between my two identities, it was confusing to people and of course, they didn't connect my business avatar with my personal one. The advice I received was to engage and myself and have my business page as further validation of where I'm coming from, experience, expertise etc. You want people to get to know your face in connection with what you contribute.

The most critical piece of getting anything out of, and enjoying Google+ is to join Communities and participate regularly. You will begin to get to know people and it's fun! AND this is how you will begin to build plus one's and being Circled. Generally, your business page gains the +1's (and to a lesser extent added to Circles). Most people will Circle you via your personal page. I figure if this is what the power users are doing, I can trust that. At first, I was trying to get our business circled but that seems less important now that I've been around for a bit. If you find anything out about this to the contrary, I would love to hear it, btw.

One piece of advice:

Use caution when posting your blog links within the Communities. Each community has its own guidelines and rules. I have found it helpful to write special inquiry posts to the Moderators to learn what is acceptable and what the attitudes are. This will help you begin to build relationships with the moderators, but more importantly you'll learn where the edges are. If you cross them, you may get banned. Typically, they frown upon blog links for posts you have written because it's perceived as self-promotion...even if it's quality content. This isn't across the board, but be aware.

The good news is that once you start engaging, it will all make a lot more sense.

[Francisco_Meza]

You may want to join this community on Google Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/communities/104474428845467390263

Google Authorship & Author Rank (All things Google Authorship Related)

[SVmedia]

Hi, and congrats on publishing consistently, with other business responsibilities, etc,, that alone can be a victory.  In terms of author rank (which I am no expert on) this article offers some great suggestions: http://searchenginewatch.com/article/2253968/How-to-Start-Building-Your-Author-Rank-6-Best-Practices

I honestly wouldn't stress on specifics, but would look at overall G+ and social engagment.  Try to take a "cover all best practices approach" and do the research, watch analytics to gauge which posts/topics are best received, all that kind of stuff.  Best of luck and hope that helps!