Just when you have it all figured out, they keep changing the rules of the game. You’ve spent countless hours learning what to do with Facebook and Twitter and along comes Google with their vision of a social media network. Enter Google+, where Google aims to correct the rigidness of online sharing tools and make the experience more like real life.

Navigating the Stream
Google+ centers around the Stream, which may look similar to your Facebook news feed. That’s where you’ll see the latest updates from your people. Then there’s four core elements: Circles, Hangouts, Huddle and Sparks.

Jump In
If you have a Google account you’re ready to get started. If not set up an account and start searching for contacts. Then you can start creating circles. Circles allow you to organize people into groups so you can share information with specific groups of friends. You’d rather not everyone know about your crazy Friday night. With these circles you can start hangouts where you’ll be able to conduct video conference calls. Huddles give you the opportunity to text an entire circle at once. What a great way to plan that crazy Friday night.

Get Down to Business
You’re probably familiar with setting up pages in Facebook for your business. Google+ isn’t offering that feature to date, but that doesn’t mean your business can’t benefit. For instance, you can feed your Twitter account by using Sparks that allow you to search and share what you’re really in to. This is also where others will find you if you’re writing a blog about your area of expertise. Additionally, set up a circle of your remote employees or clients and start a hangout to have a meeting.

Google+ is showing great potential for business applications but Facebook and Twitter still reign supreme. Continue to strategize ways to use these social media tools in your marketing efforts and keep a keen eye on Google. There’s a good chance their latest project could take off and you’ll already be downstream.