I recently discovered Google+ Hangouts, and I am glad I did. In my opinion, it blows Skype’s group video subscription out of the water. Not only is it free but it’s easy to use. All you need is a webcam and a Google+ account.

How to begin:

  • Click on the “Start a Hangout” button on the right-hand side of your stream in Google+ or go to plus.google.com/hangouts.
  • Download and install the latest version of the plugin. (You will receive an automatic prompt if this step is necessary)
  • You will then enter a video chat room where you can choose circles and/or individuals to add to your hangout.
  • Once you have selected the lucky recipients click on the green “Hang Out” button.
  • Wait for your guests to accept the hangout and you are free to roam about your chat room, together!

Google+ Hangouts are a fun way to keep in touch or personally engage with your audience. For example, I have a co-worker, Mark Mohammadpour, who works out of his home in Portland, OR. Mark does not understand why co-workers in the same office building email each other instead of having a conversation in person. He makes a great point! So when he wanted to catch up with me (mainly regarding the new Justin Bieber Christmas music video) naturally, he called me on Skype. Once we got to talking, the visual got choppy and we decided to try Google+ Hangouts. We began and invited others to join. Once Emily Kolar and Rachel Camann accepted our invite we had a lovely conversation regarding Google+ revelations and mustaches (you can choose a mustache to wear during the chat in celebration of Movember).

Speaking of mustaches, here are some other unique features Google+ Hangouts provide:

  • YouTube videos: The entire Hangout can watch the same YouTube video together and share reactions in real time. Case and point, our Hangout discussing Justin Bieber’s Christmas music video.
  • Chat: The left-hand side bar provides a space for IM chat with those in the Hangout.
  • Mustaches: Click the mustache button to lighten the mood and give yourself a new look while talking to others in the Hangout.
  • Voice-activated viewing: The largest portion of your Hangout screen is determined by who is speaking and automatically switches when a new person begins to talk, so there is no need for you to divide your attention.
  • Hangouts with extras: this is a sneak preview of new features that will be rolled out in the near future. It’s available for a limited time for people to try out and send feedback directly to Google. Hangouts with extras can provide a simple and easy way to connect and collaborate with co-workers in real time. As a Hangout you can share and edit Google documents, share notes and give others the ability to view what is on your computer screen at the moment all while in a video chat room. It will be exciting to see where this goes!

Not only are Google+ Hangouts great for working with colleagues and clients across the country, it can be beneficial for brands too. Recently, Tyra Banks hosted a Google+ hangout with fans for about 45 minutes to promote her new book, Modelland. Viewers were invited to leave questions on Modelland‘s Google+ page and on Twitter using the hashtag #TyrasHangout. Check out her page to see a YouTube video of the hangout. Tyra is a model (no pun intended) of what Google+ Hangouts can do for brands and spokespeople. She used video chat to reach her followers in a personal way Facebook or Twitter can’t. Hopefully some clients and other brands will begin to build off of this runway of ideas making Google+ Hangouts America’s Next Top Video Chat (ok sorry, last time).

I challenge you too “hangout” with others and test out the extras. Watch a YouTube video together or simply catch up on the latest episode of America’s Next Great Restaurant (oh, wait…), whatever it is, you will enjoy it and learn something new.