Hello again; As many of you know I am not easily satisfied with my efforts to help my clients sell their equipment. I am always looking for some additional edge or new technique that will lead to more successful sales. So, this week I decided to try a google video hangout for the first time. I thought I would share my experience using this system as a blind computer user and business owner.
Why Try A Google Plus Video Hangout?
Recently, I was reading an article about how google hangouts especially video hangouts could be a great way to grow your business. It got me to thinking about how many of my clients have asked me if I would be attending the next major trade show hoping to meet me in person and put a face and voice with the name. And how I have regretted not being able to attend any of these trade shows or conventions yet. I also thought about the many people who have recently commented about how I am an inspiration to them, and I thought this might be a chance fore them to meet me and ask questions. It might give me a chance to further encourage and motivate some people who just need a little shot of positive energy. so I thought I could help myself and maybe help some other people at the same time.
Sending An Event Notification
In google plus the first thing you have to do is send an event notification. This tells people what you will be doing and when. Its a handy way to let all the people in your circles as well as the public at large know about what you will be up to. For the most part I found this submission form easy to use for a blind person accessing it with a screen reader. However, the part where you pick who to include was totally useless. None of your selections are labelled so a blind person can know what they are choosing. The one time I thought I had selected to notify everyone in my circle, it said I couldn’t send it to that many people. So, I refreshed my browser and started over. The second time I didn’t even bother with the select who to invite section, but this was okay; because the default is to make the notification public. This means that anyone on the system can see your announcement.
First Hangout A Trial Run
Whenever I use a new service for the first time, I always like to test it out before telling people I will be doing it as a regular feature of the website or my business. I do this because nothing is worse for your reputation than broken promises. Of course, I couldn’t test out something like a hangout without telling someone I would be online. So, I decided to send the notification just as I went live. I decided to start at 08:00 Pm eastern and 07:00 pm central because I am not a fan of the tv show surviver. With them running a two hour season premiere I decided to start then and stay on until criminal minds came on at 09:00 pm my time. So a little before the announced time, I went to the link to start a video hangout. It was a little clunky with speech, but I finally found the right buttons by using my left and right arrow keys and moving very slowly. I set back with my headset on and waited to see what if anything would happen. Well for a while nothing happened. I sat their anxiously waiting to see if anyone would show up so I could find out how easily I could use this new tool. Finally, I decided to mention the hangout on my face book profile. This was a good thing because my amazing friend Robin Hallett saw my post and decided to stop by. Robin is one of my oldest and dearest friends. Google’s system played a tone, so i hesitantly said hi is anyone there. Robin said its me robin. I knew who she was before she even finished talking because Robin is the one who first introduced me to video chatting on skype and helped me learn how to set the camera on my laptop so you would all see my face properly centered on your screens. Robin is an intuitive healer, and she felt that reading my face book post was someone telling her she needed to talk with Max that night. I was glad to hear from her, and we had a nice talk. I stayed on for the whole two hours without another call but feeling successful.
I’m Calling It A Success
I know most people wouldn’t consider one person a success, but its all about meeting your goals or expectations. My goal was to find out if I could use google video hangouts at all, and I did that. Now, I hope I can use them to become more familiar with my clients, friends, and admirers; so I can build relationships that will benefit me personally and improve my business. The only thing I didn’t find out during this first attempt was how the system will behave with more than one person. You can have up to ten people at a time in a video hangout. I think it would be very exciting to get to the point where I have to consider getting one of those webinar programs because more people want to meet me and hear what I have to say.
Tune In Next Week
I had fun doing this video chat thing, but then I always have fun when I am trying something new. Thinking of the possible uses gets me excited. I know it isn’t climbing mountains or white water rafting or even riding a roller coaster; but its another step forward in faith. Its another time where I said to myself that this could be good for me and my clients; and I am going for it. And in case you haven’t guessed, I will be doing a video hangout as a regular feature I will b on every Wednesday night at 08:00 eastern 07:00 central 05:00 pacific etc. I hope I will see you there or hear you there that is. grin
Two Questions For You?
The day of the week and planned time for future hangouts was chosen because it fits easily into my schedule. But, I started these to get to know you. So, I have two questions. One, should I consider having two hangouts? I am wondering if I shouldn’t have one time for people in the amusement industry and another for my friends in the blogging and social media world. I’m also still coming to terms with my roll as an inspiration to people, so I have no way of knowing how that would factor into this. I also want to know if You think the time or day of the week should be changed. I know there is no such thing as a perfect time especially with the audience for my site being international in nature; but I’d like to be as friendly to your schedules as possible. Please leave your suggestions in the comments section.
If you liked this post, please share it with your friends, family, and coworkers. Its only through your help that the word is spreading about my site, blog, youtube channel, and now the video chats. I really appreciate your help. Thanks so much and take care out there, Max
Hi Max. My own schedule is a bit too unpredictable to commit to a video chat but I want to commend you on your attitude. You took the bull by the horns, learned from the experience and are ready to move on from there. Good Luck to you !
Hi Paul; Thanks for the encouragement. I wish my schedule weren’t so regular. I am still hoping to travel more for the business. My ultimate goal is to find the funding for a regular weekly youtube show about the amusement industry and the equipment my clients have for sale. In the mean time I figure doing the google hangouts and creating some videos from home using video supplied by my clients is good training. Thanks again and take care, Max
Hi Max. I enjoy google and apple products. Glad to see you extending your virtual reach!
Hi Jen; Just continuing to do as much as i can online until I can start meting people in person. Take care, max
That is awesome, Max. I use Google Hangout all the time for many different reasons. It so easy to use and fun to see the results. That is pretty cool that you were able to use the tool so easily. It just goes to show that when there is a will there is a way. The answer to your question: I think trying a few times to see what works best would be good. Tuesday thru Thursday are good days. Consider the time zones in other areas and where it would fall. This will help you determine the best time slots that will work for more rather then less. I hope that helps. 🙂
HI susan; thanks for the suggestions. I guess i need to check times in australia the u k and europe. I did find out one thing last week. You have to promote hangouts just like everything else we do online. Thanks again and take care, Max
Congratulations Max, one more thing accomplished you wanted to do. I think that’s pretty cool that you’ll be doing these weekly.
I’ll have to try and remember but I will always be late. I have dinner with my Mom every night and we don’t finish up until 7:00. I’m usually at her house too so it takes me just a short time to get home and situated before I get back online. I would hate to keep popping in late.
I know I can’t make this weeks for sure. I have something else planned but I will make a note of it and hope to be able to participate in one of them even if I am a little late.
Great going Max… Have a good week and stay warm.
~Adrienne
Hi Adrienne; Thanks for your well wishes. Its also another thing I never saw myself doing even just a year ago. Its another way to try and connect with people since I still haven’t managed the logistics of getting out and meting them in person. I know you would come by if it works into your busy schedule. Just knowing that you want to is big with me. I’m thinking I should ask people to send in questions so I can answer them during the time when no one is on. Plus people with questions are more likely to show up to get their answers. I still have a lot to learn. As to my other question should I consider going on at a different time or day for those who don’t have anything to do with the amusement industry. I picked wednesday because it should be ideal for my primary market, but monday might be better for my blogging and social media friends or those who find me inspiring. Thanks for the comment and all your help. Take care, Max
Hey Max
You are amazing Max. An inspiration indeed. And we really need to setup a chat to get you on my podcast!
I think you have so much to teach people and so many interesting stories to tell.
Most people would not even do hangouts online let alone without vision. So hat off again.
ashley
Hi Ashley; You know a year ago I would have done the awe shucks thing and tried to tell you that what i do is nothing special. But the more i read online, and the more I hear about people with perfect health not following their passions; the more I believe I am special. I can understand why people say I am an inspiration. I just need to figure out what to do with that. I keep wondering if I should be starting a second blog, offering to coach people, search for speaking and writing opportunities, etc. I would love to do the podcast. Like I told you I spent most of my life traveling with a carnival, so odd hours are nothing new. Just tell me when, and I’ll make sure to b available. thanks for your help and support. Take care my friend, max
Hi Max,
This is wonderful indeed – another feather in your cap. 🙂
I’m sure you’d do so well in inspiring and motivating people – just what all of us need from time to time. I wish I could attend one of the hangouts too, but my time zones are completely different I guess. Perhaps a recording of it is something we can all hear out later, those of us who can’t make it, if it’s possible.
Thanks for sharing, and wishing you the best with it. Have a nice week ahead 🙂
Hi Harleena; Thanks for the kind words. There is supposed to b a way to upload the hangout directly to youtube. however, with just one visitor last week, I didn’t feel it was warranted. If I could get to where there is something going on most of the time, then I could see sharing it to youtube. do you have suggestions? perhaps I could show something or do something while I am waiting for people to come by. what is your time zone? where do you live I mean? perhaps I could do a later one or an early morning to get more people involved. I do think the hangout could be more about inspiring people than selling stuff just because so many more people see me as an inspiration. thanks for your love and support. Take care sweetie, Max
Hello; just finished my second weekly google video hangout. No one stopped by, but I’m still happy i did it. You don’t build an audience over night. Next week, I will do two hangouts. one will start at 8 edt 7 cdt the second will start at 10 edt 9 cdt. I am going to ask my friends in advance to come on and ask questions. the hope is that next week i will have enough traffic to publish the video of the hangout to youtube. thanks for your help and support. Take care, Max
Hello friends; Next week i am having two hangouts. Th second hangout will be at 10 edt 9 cdt and b broadcast live on youtube as it will be a hangout on the air. This will be another first for me. I’m thinking I should prepare something since it will b being recorded. Do you have som questions i could answer or som other suggestions. I hope this later time will make it easier for you to come by. I look forward to meeting more of you there. Thanks, max https://plus.google.com/events/cko0dla62e81iaitj97728eklvc
Very cool Max. I’m having a hard time getting myself to publish video tips on my site and here you are doing them live and trying something new.
Quite an inspiration. Good luck to you!
Hi Johnny; Thanks for your kind words. I’m glad I have inspired you. I hope this means you will be recording your first video soon. You might want to start by joining a couple of hangouts or making a few Skype calls to get your feet wet. and you can upload your videos to youtube as private or unlisted so you can let your friends watch them before they go live if you are worried. I’d be happy to give them a listen and let you know my thoughts. and i have put myself out there. I have asked people to come by and get to know me online. maybe if i could see and could travel more easily I might not be as brave about the online stuff. But first week i had one visitor and the second week i had none. Next week I am going to have two hangouts. The second one will be on wednesday at 10 edt 9 cdt and will be a hangout on air meaning it will be recorded to youtube. so i need to have a full hour of guests. and how do i do that, same as when you start anything else new; you ask your friends and family to help out. so friend, will you be there next week? If not, then please send me some questions I can answer online. Thanks and take care, Max
Hi Max,
Thanks for explaining Google hangouts, something I have not participated in yet. One thing that factors into being an inspiration is that you are not allowing blindness to prevent you from living a meaningful life. I think of Helen Keller and it sure didn’t stop her either. So good on you for having the desire, drive and determination to succeed.
All the best!
Bill
Hi Bill; Thanks for making that clearer. Yes i have desire drive and determination; but I also have had the help love and support of lots of good people like you. I am still learning about the hangouts. Next week i am doing a hangout on air which means it will be automatically shared live on youtube. It will also be available later. 10 edt 9 cdt just in case you can stop by. if not, please send me any questions you have and I’ll do my best to answer them on air. thanks again and take care, max
Hi Max,
What day are you doing the Google hangout?
One question I like to ask people, which can take some people time to think about, is this: What are the most important life lessons you have learned so far? This is a general question, but is one that can be answered across any niche.
May your burdens be light and your blessings heavy!
Bill
Hi Bill; what a great question. I will write it down along with your name and website so i will remember to mention it on the hangout which is on wednesday mar 12th at 10 PM edt 9 PM cdt and will go for an hour. and if i can get enough people to show up or submit questions then I will share the link to the youtube file after it is over with. thanks and take care, Max
Hi Max, I’ve never tried Google Hangout before (I’m not quite social media savvy). But after reading this, I’m inspired to try it myself. I’m subscribed to you on Youtube. You’re an inspiration, max.
Best of luck!
Krisma
Hi Krisma; Then I need to thank you twice first for your comment but more for being one of the first to subscribe to my youtube channel. And I’m glad I could inspire you to stretch yourself. How about you get started by coming by my hangout on air next week. It will be on wednesday at 10 edt and 9 cdt. a hangout on air means it will be recorded to youtube so people can either watch it later or rewind it to the beginning if they come in late. It will be another first for me and I’d love to have a friend there. If you can’t make it, then send me a question to answer on air and I’ll mention you and your blog when i answer it. Let me know if I can do anything to help you. Thanks again and take care, Max
That good in fact awesome one
Great post Max
First let me congratulate for the excellent work you are doing. Your attitude is awesome towards your work and passion. I am totally inspired by you . Reading top your post or article gives me great motivation .
This is the first time I am knowing about Google hangout video. I find it interesting and would like to try it after getting some more info on it. I hope you would help me out in future too if i had any issues relating to this.
Thank you for sharing
Hi Sagar; I’m glad that my work can inspire you and others who read about my progress. I would be very happy to help you with any aspect of having an online business. and I hope to also learn from you. I’m looking forward to your opinion of my latest hangout which you can see on youtube. I also hope you will subscribe to my feed. As with any social media if you connect with me or follow me i will happily reciprocate. thanks again and take care, Max