Advantages of Using Google Posts
(now that Google+ is ending)

Google Posts is a micro-blogging Google My Business dashboard feature which displays your short-form on your Knowledge Panel and business listings on search engine results. If you were using Google+, you shared content (yours and others) with the hopes that someone would see it and find their way back to your website.

Reach Your Target Market with Google Posts
Google Posts are a better way to bring targeted search engine users from Google (where the majority of buyers’ journeys start) directly to your website. A year into this feature and still very few local businesses are leveraging this FREE Google My Business feature to promote their businesses. That means that adding Google Posts to your marketing mix gives you a fast and free advantage over your local competition.

Posts offer instant publication of your marketing and reputation messaging with little effort – at no cost.

Improve Your Online Reputation with Google Posts
Google Posts help you create your ideal online reputation by giving you a free tool to promote your business with content and messaging you control. Reach customers with the information they need right now to persuade them to pick your business.

Do you have a sale coming up? Have an event coming up? A promotion code for military members? Half-priced breakfast on Mondays? Senior discounts? Price match? Use only organic ingredients? Google Posts give you the opportunity to persuade customers as they find your Google My Business listing while researching the best place to make their next purchase.

Using Google Post to Promote Your Business
Google Posts were introduced as a way to share fresh content with people who found your business through Google Search. This free Google My Business feature lets you create posts with content you want displayed to customers when they find your business on Google.

Google Posts are meant to be used to show search user what is going on with your business right now. Each post you create is removed from search results after seven days, or after the event date, you specify if you are posting an event. That might sound like a restriction, but it’s actually a benefit that ensures that only the latest and greatest information of your choice is displayed with your business listings.

Quick List of Google Posts Specs & Best Practices

  • Character Limits: Only the first 80-100 characters will show in the Post so make those characters count and preview the Post to make sure your sentence isn’t cut off.
  • Headlines: Write headlines that make the reader want to click through. Think of it as an ad to inspire action.
  • Call to Action: Tell the viewer what to do next. “Free Download” or “Learn How to” or “Order Now” are clear CAT’s that minimize the decisions the audience needs to make.
  • Image Size: The best image size is 750 x 750. Anything smaller than 250 x 250 won’t be accepted. Preview the post to make sure the image appears as intended.
  • Post Often: Share daily specials and current promotions to keep customers up-to-date on your offers. After 7 days your Post will be removed – thankfully, they email you when this happens.


Do’s and Don’ts for Writing a Google Post directly from Google

There is a right and wrong way to leverage Google Post. To get the do’s and don’ts we went directly to the source. This is what Google tells us about Google Post:

 

Google’s Suggestions for Writing the Perfect Google Post

  • Be precise: What are the 3 things your customer needs to know? What do you want them to remember, for how much, and when? “Happy Hour! Half-price milkshakes from 5-6 PM every Friday.”
  • Be personal: Show what your business values: “We love families at Mike’s and to show our appreciation, kids eat free this weekend!”
  • Tell your customers what they can do. Are you selling a product? Tell them how they can buy.
    “Tickets range from $60-$160, and are available for purchase at the front desk starting at 12 PM EST today.”
  • Highlight what makes your business, product, or offer unique. Large selection? Free shipping? Tell people:
    “Free shipping on orders over $50.”
  • Be timely — use a key selling point or popular item as the hook for your post: “Spring is here. All flip flops now 30% off.”
  • Be sure to include any redemption instructions, unique codes, or restrictions on offers or sales: “$10 off purchase of $50 or more. 50% off select women’s clothing.”
  • Use abbreviations for days and months, and don’t use periods, to allow more space for your post, and abbreviate hours: Jan, Feb, Mar… Mon, Tue, Wed… 9 AM, 5 PM, 12 PM
  • Avoid the commercial slang and excessive exclamation marks or all caps that make your post look like an advertisement: “BOGO: 50% off men’s sneakers.” “Crazy SALE today!!!”
  • Don’t include more than one offer or too many exclusions in one communication: “Half price coffee and tea from 3-6 PM on Fridays, and buy 6, get one free donut on weekdays.” “10% off new seasonal sandwiches. Not valid on lunch specials.”

Thanks for your Wisdom Reputation Loop