Google+ Circles: The Unanswered Questions, Answered!

pic of Google logo

It seems that I am becoming somewhat of an expert (ha!) regarding certain things in social media.

How do I know this? Google said so.

I heard Google speak her voice (yes, Google is female!) when I viewed my blog stats and took a look at the search terms used to send people to my blog posts – in particular, my post about Managing Google+ Circles.

She said, “Hey, Lorraine, I think you should write a post and inform these people of what they want to know regarding Google+ circles!”

Okay, so maybe I’m exaggerating. But, it seems that Google loves me. . . even though I don’t know much about SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Why else would she send these people to my site?

I think it’s because I’m helpful, and talk to both a specific reader and the general masses. 

When people are continually asking for information and are being sent to ME, the proud non-techie (yes, I am now proud of this fact), I feel like it is my duty to respond to them. I can see that there is an obvious need for a post to be written about this topic.

You see, when people talk, I pay attention. This quality has made me many friends and a great teacher. When I taught high school, most of my students loved me. I spoke on their level. I imparted my wisdom to them. Now I am going to continue this trend on my blog. I have to.I cannot disappoint my new buddy, Google. 

I think I might even call her “Googs” for short. 😉

The Many Questions We Have

As someone who had to learn many things on her own, I gotta figure that there are tons of others out there who are just like me — filled with questions.

The questions people have about Google+ circles include the ones listed below, which have been copied directly (spelling errors and all!) from my stats page on my blog. I will answer them to the best of my ability.

(Note that I have included my ranking for each, too. Yes, I had to check each one out individually.)

  1. how to tell what google+ circle someone has added u in (ranking is #1)
  2. how do i know who in google+ has put me in there circles (ranking is #2)
  3. what is different between in her circle and have her in circle (ranking is #2)
  4. when someone puts you in their circle how do you get yourself out (ranking is #2)
  5. what does it mean when someone adds you to a circle on google+ (ranking is #3)
  6. why can’t i add people to my circle on google+ (ranking is #5)
  7. can someone just add you to their circles on google plus (ranking is #5)
  8. google plus added you back vs added to circles (ranking is #7)

The Answers

Read More

My Online Journey

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When I first got a laptop in January 2013, I never imagined that I would be where I am today, doing the things I am doing.

The online community may reach worldwide, but the internet brings us closer. The technological advances that have been made while I was raising my son, going to school, and teaching are simply astounding. They boggle my mind.

In addition to trying to put together an ebook of short stories, I started writing a book about my life. I have a timeline created, and a few chapters written. My short stories are currently being re-worked, as I needed to make some improvements (according to the people I chose to be my “beta readers”).

In my quest for learning how to do new things, I’ve also been trying to learn how to create infographics.

As you can see from my personal “infographic”, I’ve met a lot of great people online.

The famous Carol Tice is one of the people I have met. I have been reading her blog, Make A Living Writing, for many months. A few weeks ago, she was asking for guest posts. She is one of the many bloggers who pay for guest posts, too, so I was excited to see this – it was a great opportunity for me! Normally she only invites people who have taken Jon Morrow’s class OR are members of her “Freelance Writers Den.” Since I fall into neither of these groups, I never thought that I’d have the opportunity to guest post for her. However, when she decided to “break her own rule” and seek guest posts from (almost) “anyone,” I decided to give it a shot.

I thought I had a pretty good chance at being accepted since I have actually crossed paths with her on a few occasions. I also comment on her blog on occasion (when I have something noteworthy to say). I’ve entered two of my posts into her linky contests, too. (The last one was during this one, in early September. I placed 23rd out of 46 entries. Since the post I entered had nothing to do with freelancing, I’m surprised I was not last!)

Anyway, when I submitted an email to Carol Tice with my idea for a guest post, it was rejected. I wasn’t very surprised; it was not the greatest of ideas. (I can see that now!) Not letting this rejection get me down, I decided to persevere. I then spent an evening thinking of three more ideas – better ones! – to pitch to her. I was thrilled when she accepted one of them. Oddly enough, it was not the one that I thought she would select.

However, I wrote the post she requested, but not well enough to meet her standards. I had to re-write the opening paragraph, and alter things a bit. I wanted it to be perfect. When I thought it was, I sent my re-write to her. A week later, I was told that she sent it to her editor. YAY!

I have guest posted on other sites before (look at my Services page) but never for pay! Since I will be paid upon publication, I haven’t made any money yet…but I’m told that it will happen within the next few months. (She schedules her posts months ahead of time.)

Needless to say, I’m looking forward to being “featured” on her site! I’ll be sure to keep you informed of my post’s publication date, too.

To wrap things up for now, let me say that I love learning. There are so many other things that I have learned during my time online. Some of them are outlined in my post “21 Things I Learned From My 21 Days In The Scavenger Hunt”. I am adding to my list weekly, and am loving my journey.

But, enough about me…

I want to know more about YOU.

What are some of YOUR online accomplishments? Share in the comments, please!

One of My Blog Posts is now a PowerPoint Presentation on Slideshare!

THIS IS A ‘TRUE TALES TUESDAYS’ POST

At the beginning of August 2013, I wrote an article that explained the Top 10 Tips For Making A Good Impression.

At the beginning of October 2013, I found out that a teacher added a link to my site for his students to refer to. When I was notified of this backlink, I decided to send him a thank-you note (email). He responded to me, and told me that “it was the most helpful site I found for my students”.

Talk about a nice compliment!  I was honoured to be chosen!

Since the blogging and marketing “pros” advise turning posts into podcasts, videos, presentations, etc, I decided to turn the aforementioned post into a Slideshare presentation using my newly purchased PowerPoint program. I really enjoyed creating this. For a non-techie like myself, I feel a great sense of accomplishment!

Of course, the technology has already been created for me, and all I have to do is a few simple things with the click of my mouse. Easy-peasy stuff — anyone can do this! No wonder Slideshare is becoming so popular!

As always, I’d love it if you share this AND/OR left me a comment. You know how much I love comments! 🙂

Related articles:

How To Turn Your Weaknesses Into Strengths To Make A Good Impression

My #BookReview of “Meaning, Self and the Human Potential”

Kristine's book

A few months ago, Kristine Millar, author of Meaning, Self and the Human Potential guest posted on my blog. She and I met through LinkedIn, and became friends. We’ve Skyped, emailed, and chatted many times. She even sent me a copy of her book! (If you didn’t read her post,  The Silent Struggles of the Writer – Can You Survive or Thrive? you can read it now!)

Rather than telling you my version of what her book is about, I’m going to use the description of it that she uses on her website:

My book is a philosophical exploration of the ways in which we create meaning through our value systems, ideologies and perspectives. It includes an analysis of the psychological and cultural factors which contribute to the formation of values and meaning, and the anxieties we face when we lose meaning in life.

These anxieties reveal a great deal about our human motivations and our potentials both on a conscious and unconscious level. Further, they provide a window through which we can discover our true potential. The concept of self actualisation is explored as well as our capacity to lead a moral and meaningful existence without a reliance on a transcendental source. Central to my message is to overcome the fear of death and to believe in the human capacity for good.

Although the following review is posted on Goodreads, I wanted to include it here, to help more people become aware of her book.

Here is my review of Meaning, Self and the Human Potential: Read More

True Tales Tuesday: My Best Friend

Terri

THIS IS A ‘TRUE TALES TUESDAYS’ POST

A Short Story, Written by Lorraine Reguly, in 1998.

Intended audience: preteens and teenagers

Title: My Best Friend

Snoopy was her name, and I loved her immensely. She was a tiny, grey dog; part Chihuahua, part Poodle, and part mutt. She belonged to my grandparents, who lived next door, but I always thought of her as my dog, because I was the one who took care of her, especially when my grandparents went on vacation.

Snoopy and I were best friends. We were almost the same age; in human years, she was one year older than me. I fed Snoopy, played with her, made her do tricks, took her for walks, and even changed her dirty, stinky newspapers that she used for a toilet. (I didn’t particularly enjoy doing this, but I wanted to show everyone how grown-up and responsible I could be. So I did it almost everyday, holding my breath until the acrid smell was safely contained in a garbage bag.) It was during these times that I felt special; loved, wanted and needed. The bond between us grew stronger until she loved me as much as I loved her. She was always there for me, and always would be. Or so I thought. Read More