Unlocking the Secrets of Google Hangouts and Hangouts On Air

Today, I want to share some super cool tips on how to make the most out of Google Hangouts and Hangouts On Air. These awesome tools are perfect for connecting with people and hosting live events. Let’s dive right in!

First off, let me explain what Google Hangouts and Hangouts On Air are. Imagine being able to have a conversation or video call with multiple people at the same time, no matter where they are in the world. That’s what Google Hangouts does! It’s like having a virtual meeting room where you can chat face-to-face with friends, family, or colleagues.

Now, Hangouts On Air takes it to a whole new level. With Hangouts On Air, not only can you have those awesome video calls, but you can also livestream them to an audience. It’s like having your own TV show or hosting a webinar. How exciting is that?

Let’s talk about some neat tricks and features of Google Hangouts. First, did you know that you can share your screen during a Hangout? This means you can show others what’s on your computer, whether it’s a presentation, a document, or even a funny video. It’s perfect for collaborating on projects or giving demonstrations.

Another cool feature is the ability to send live emojis and stickers while you’re in a Hangout. Who doesn’t love emojis, right? It’s a fun and playful way to express yourself and add a little extra pizzazz to your conversations.

Are you familiar with Hangouts Chat? It’s like having your own private chat room with a specific group of people. You can share files, have threaded conversations, and even collaborate on tasks together. It’s a fantastic tool for keeping everyone on the same page and working together efficiently.

Moving on to Hangouts On Air, there’s one feature that stands out – the ability to broadcast your live Hangout to a wider audience. This is perfect for hosting webinars, interviews, or even just sharing an exciting announcement with the world. Plus, your broadcast is automatically recorded and saved to your YouTube channel. How convenient is that?

One thing to keep in mind is that Hangouts On Air requires a YouTube account, so make sure you have one set up before you start. But don’t worry, it’s easy to create and you’ll be up and running in no time.

In conclusion, Google Hangouts and Hangouts On Air are incredible tools for connecting with others, hosting live events, and sharing your message with a wider audience. Whether you’re using Hangouts for a casual chat or broadcasting your Hangout On Air to the world, these tools have got you covered. Have fun exploring all the features and let your creativity shine!

Have you ever used Google Hangouts? It’s an awesome tool that allows you to communicate with others, whether it’s for work or personal reasons. But here’s the thing – there’s more to Hangouts than just sending text messages or having video chats with your friends or coworkers. Are you really taking advantage of everything Hangouts has to offer?

Hangouts can be a bit confusing, and I totally get why. See, the term Hangouts actually refers to two different things: Hangouts and Hangouts On Air. And to make things even more interesting, Google is always changing and updating Hangouts. They’ve even changed the name and added new features!

So let’s break it all down and talk about some important features and differences:

Hangouts

Hangouts are a supercharged version of instant messenger that let you connect with other Hangout users in a flash. You can text, talk, or have video chats using your computer’s webcam. It’s like having a superpower!

Hangouts let you have private conversations with people on your contacts list. Just you and them, no one else. It’s like having a secret meeting!

But Hangouts aren’t just for one-on-one chats. You can also gather up to 9 friends for a group video call. It’s like having a virtual party!

Hangouts work on mobile devices too, especially Android phones and tablets. If you have a Google mobile operating system, Hangouts are perfect for you. Look at the picture below to see how it works.

If you use GMail or Google Apps, Hangouts are extra handy because they can sit right next to your inbox. Starting a chat is quick and easy. It’s like having a personal assistant!

If you’re an Apps user like me, then you’ll be interested to know that Google Chat and Google Talk have been replaced by Hangouts. And here’s some good news if you use the Chrome browser: conducting video chats just got way easier!

Thanks to the awesome Google developer Victoria Kirst, you don’t need a special plugin anymore. Now you can seamlessly use video chat in Chrome by simply clicking on the little video camera icon in your Google Hangouts window. So cool, right?

Hangouts On Air

Have you heard about Hangouts On Air? It’s a super cool live streaming video service that lets you broadcast yourself directly to YouTube, Google Plus, or even your own website. You can use Hangouts On Air to broadcast an event you’re hosting, have a live chat with your customers, or even reach out to the general public. The best part? There’s no limit to the number of viewers you can have for your Hangout on Air!

However, keep in mind that you’re still limited to the number of people who can actively participate and speak during the Hangout. But hey, that doesn’t take away from how awesome this service is!

I want to talk to you about different ways to communicate with others. There are three main types of communication that we use: private internal communications, one-on-one or group communications, and public-facing communications. Let me explain each of these to you.

First, let’s talk about private internal communications. This means talking to people in your own team or company. It’s like having a chat with your colleagues about work-related things. You can use tools like Google Hangouts to have these conversations. It’s a way to connect with your team members and discuss important things that need to be done.

Next, we have one-on-one or group communications. This is when you talk to someone individually or in a group. It’s like having a meeting or a discussion with others. Google Hangouts can also be used for this type of communication. You can have a video call or a chat with your colleagues or clients. It’s a great way to collaborate and work together on projects.

Lastly, we have public-facing communications. This means communicating with people outside of your team or company. It’s like promoting your business or selling your products to the public. Google Hangouts on Air can be used for this purpose. You can host live events or webinars to showcase your business and engage with your audience.

To learn more about how to use Google Hangouts and Google Hangouts on Air for business purposes, we reached out to some experts who shared their top tips and tactics. Here’s what they had to say.

Remember, communication is a key skill in both personal and professional settings. By using tools like Google Hangouts, you can easily connect with others and share your ideas and goals. So, go ahead and explore the different ways you can communicate with others and make the most out of these communication tools.



Get Ready to Master Google Hangouts with These Pro Tips!

1. Start with a Test Run

Before you jump into organizing a public event on Google Hangouts, it’s essential to make sure you’re familiar with the technology.

Trust me, once your meeting or event starts, all sorts of unexpected issues can pop up. Ron Cates, the Director of Digital Marketing Education at Constant Contact, a leading online marketing company, suggests, To make sure everything goes smoothly, especially if you’re hosting a Hangout on Air, try doing a test hangout first.

Ivana Taylor from DIYMarketers here, and I want to remind you to allow yourself 30 minutes for pre-start testing, even if you’ve done these tests before. It’s super important to make sure everything is working smoothly before your event begins.

So here’s what you need to do. Take a little bit of time to go through all the buttons, links, and chat features. This way, you can ensure that you know how to operate the controls when the real deal starts. Think of this 30-minute period as being in a greenroom. All it means is that you open the Hangout window privately before the scheduled time, invite any panelists, and make sure everyone looks and sounds good.

And then, when it’s finally time for the event to kick off, all you have to do is click on the BROADCAST button. That’s it! You’re out of the greenroom and right into the live Hangout.

2. Using Hangouts with Your Google+ Business Page

If you have a small business, Hangouts On Air can be a great way to promote it. Make sure to host your Hangout from your business page on Google Plus. By doing this, you’ll get extra exposure for your business instead of using your personal account. Just like you wouldn’t use your personal Facebook profile to promote your business, the same applies here.

3. Promote Before the Event

Promoting your event well in advance is crucial when it comes to Hangouts On Air. This way, you’ll have more people watching your broadcast when it happens. Andy Nathan, a Hangouts expert and author at Start Up Gap, shares some tips to make sure your Hangouts On Air get noticed.

When it comes to promoting your upcoming Hangouts On Air broadcast, the most important step is to share it with your social media networks. This means reaching out to the people in your Google Plus Circles, your Facebook friends, and your LinkedIn connections. You can even invite up to 50 of your contacts via LinkedIn specifically for the event. And don’t forget, you should also encourage your guests on the upcoming Hangout to help spread the word through their own social media contacts.

4. Improve Collaboration with Your Team

Instead of thinking of Google Hangouts as just an event or broadcast, you can integrate it into your regular communications and collaboration with clients or partners. As Iska Hain, a member of Google’s Unified Communications Team, explained to USamerica.US last year:

It’s amazing how Hangouts can enhance group communication. You can effortlessly switch between chatting one-on-one with someone and having a group conversation simply by adding their name or email address. What’s more, you can easily transition from a text chat to a live video call by clicking on the video button. And the best part? Hangouts automatically invites everyone involved in the conversation to join in. It’s that simple!

Now, let’s talk about monetizing your business with Hangouts On Air. If you’re a business coach or consultant, you can really make the most of this tool by offering premium coaching services. By hosting live coaching sessions on Hangouts On Air, you can attract clients who are willing to pay for your valuable expertise. This is a fantastic way to take your business to the next level and generate additional income.

I’m a small business coach named Sarah Santacroce from SimplicityUS America.com, and I have some exciting news to share with you. Did you know that Google has recently made a big change that can help content providers like me monetize our work? Let me explain.

You see, now we have the option to charge a fee to allow only select viewers to access our content. This includes both live events and recorded videos. This is a game-changer because it opens up new possibilities for us to make money from our expertise. Let me give you an example.

Imagine you’re a coach with a fantastic training program. You put a lot of time and effort into creating valuable content that can help people succeed. Well, with this new feature, you now have the ability to charge subscribers for exclusive access to that content. Isn’t that amazing?

If you’re curious about other ways to monetize your small business, there’s something called Helpouts that you should check out. It’s a variation of Google Hangouts on Air, but with a twist. Helpouts gives you even more opportunities to make money from your business, and we actually wrote about it not too long ago.



6. Show Off Your Product

Any business can benefit from showing off its product using Google Hangouts On Air. Some companies have used Hangouts to address customer service issues, while others have used it to educate customers on how to use their products effectively. This personal approach takes customer service to a whole new level. I remember a company that sells beauty products launching a new product by holding beauty classes before the launch.

7. Keep Using the Video After the Event

Once your Hangout is done, it doesn’t disappear. It takes on a new life in different forms.

First of all, your Hangout On Air becomes a YouTube video. Now you can share it on your website by adding the code from YouTube. You can also send it via email and promote it on all your social media platforms.

If you want more people to find your YouTube channel and videos, I can help you make them more visible. It’s all about optimizing your channel and video descriptions and making them more appealing. One thing you can do is include a link to your business website as a call-to-action in the caption below your video on YouTube. That way, people can easily find and visit your website. You should also add links to your social media channels to connect with your audience.

Another great idea is to use clips from your previous Hangouts to promote future events. This way, you can show people what they can expect from your future events. For example, if you do interviews, you can use clips of those interviews to invite others or entice them to attend. It’s a great way to build interest and excitement.

8. Build Trust and Connection

Have you ever thought about hosting a Hangout On Air? It’s a great way to let your customers know you better and to promote your company and products. When people watch the video, they can see what your business is really like. And even if they’re just watching online, it helps build trust.

As a small business owner, you probably know that people want to do business with someone they know, like, and trust. And one of the best ways for them to get to know you is by seeing you on video during a live event.

9. Make Your Website More Engaging

If someone has ever told you to increase engagement on your website but you weren’t sure how to do it, then this is for you.

In my opinion, using videoed Hangouts on Air is a great way to make your website more interesting. It’s all about creating content, and video is one of the most engaging types of content!

These days, people prefer content that is visual, spontaneous, and authentic. That’s why using live-recorded videos is a fantastic way to make your website and blog more lively and engaging.

According to Nathan, you can also use the videos from your Google Hangouts and Hangouts On Air to create future content for your blog. Simply write an article that provides some background information about the live event you recorded, and summarize some of the key points. Then, embed the YouTube video in your blog post, and voila – you have a complete blog post!

If you want everyone to see your video, you can put it on your homepage or sidebar. You can even change the videos regularly to keep things fresh for people who come back.

Putting a recorded Hangout video on your website might make more people interested in it. When visitors like the videos they see, they’ll stay longer and explore other parts of your site. It’s not like a plain text website that people might leave right away.

10. Get More Visitors

Nathan tells us that using Google Hangouts can bring more people to your website and social media pages. When you make videos, they can be easily shared by friends and friends of friends on social media.

If you want to make the most of your recorded Hangout video, don’t just leave it on YouTube. Take the time to write a detailed description of the video, using the right keywords. Remember to add links to your website, blog, and social media profiles. And don’t forget to respond to any comments you receive on YouTube.

Make sure that your YouTube display is also visible on your Google+ Business Page or personal profile. According to Nathan, if you describe your video well on YouTube and include links to your website, this will help increase web traffic for your business. Additionally, high-quality videos will generate their own traffic through Google Search and YouTube searches.

For more tips, check out the How to Use Google+ Hangouts for Business article. Although the technology has changed since then, the basic advice is still relevant.