Google+, Google’s social media platform, has become an integral part of the Google platform. While not the most popular of services, there are some really great features that businesses like yours could benefit from using. One such feature is Google Hangouts, Google’s integrated chat platform that also has video conferencing tool that could help with your marketing and branding efforts. The problem you, and many businesses, may be having is figuring out how exactly you could leverage this platform in your business.
Below are four ways you or your business could use the video conferencing capabilities of Google Hangouts.
1. Provide customer support
If you have a product or service, you have likely had clients contact you with questions or concerns. When customers are having problems, they normally prefer to talk face-to-face with a real person. The problem is, you may not be where your customers are, or they may not be able to reach you.
Hangouts provides you with an ideal channel where customers can contact you, see your face and discuss problems they may be having.
2. Product demonstrations
Have a product that customers have been asking how to use, or would like to know more about? Why not host a Hangout? This is a great platform that allows you and up to 10 customers to interact. You can show them how the product works, how it can help them and answer questions all face-to-face. If a participant would like to learn more, you can then host a one-on-one Hangout.
3. Conduct team meetings
There are two useful Hangouts features that could be a boon to productivity. The first is the ability to share your screen with participants and the other is built in compatibility with productivity apps like Google Drive. This allows you and your team to collaborate on a document, spreadsheet or even presentation.
Hosting a Hangout is also great if you or a teammate is away. You can still work together because Hangouts is now Google’s main chat app with integration across desktop and mobile devices. As long as you have an Internet connection, and a device with a camera you can join a Hangout. Imagine having someone out in the field with a tablet talking to colleagues who are on their desktops. This will make your team and company more productive.
4. Launch a new product or service
Google Hangouts allows you to live stream events on both Google+ and YouTube. This could be useful if you are launching a new product, or service and want to enable people who can’t make it to the event to take part. You can even record the event so people can watch it later.
While still relatively new, video conferencing and webinars are quickly becoming one of the most popular ways for small businesses to really connect with their customers regardless of their location. If you are looking to learn more about Google Hangouts and how they could be used in your business, please contact us today.
Published on 21st May 2013 by Jeanne DeWitt.
