On the last day of the Social Media Week in New York I attended a case study by the New York Public Library about their experience with Google+ Hangouts. Johannes Neuer, associate director of marketing at NYPL, hosted the event.
The hangouts have become the most important platform for the library and have already notched up half a million followers. NYPL has used the hangouts to air book- and author discussions billed as the NYPL Book-club.
James Murdock, the library’s director of multimedia content, pointed out that the technology democratizes television and enables any company or institution to capitalize on their own network.
Angela Nolet from King County Library System joined the event live via hangout and shared her own experience with Google+.
Here are some important lessons learned so far if you want to utilize Google+ hangouts for your brand:
- Up to 10 people can participate, but the hangout can be viewed by an unlimited number.
- The session can be recorded and thus reused.
- Solicit feedback way ahead of time, i.e. before you start recording. Spend enough time to plan and organize the event.
- Check the technical setup before airing. Nothing is more frustrating then wasting time fumbling about before the event gets going.
- Consider the best time when to show the event. You want to catch your audience when they are available and not at work or otherwise engaged.
- Use high-quality cameras. Spend around 30-40 dollars or more.
- Prepare release forms to be signed by the people you are filming. Check out the legal implications.
- Promote the hangout.
The next hangouts are planned for March. Lincoln Center is holding a number of events called “Rhapsodic City: Music of New York” which will feature events celebrating the diversity of New York’s music from Hip Hop, Blues and Rock to Punk. Check it out!
