it is time for marketers to get into the Google+ game.  At Marketing Profs, Mark Ivey writes that Google "could be opening the floodgates to brands soon."  And he shares some lessons he has learned from just a few weeks of using the new social media platform.  His first tip for marketers is Think rifle shot vs. shotgun:

Avoid the temptation to use G+ like another broadcast medium, as many do on Twitter, or duplicate what you’re doing on other platforms. Use G+ to supplement your other channels. What are you missing from your other channels? What can Google+ provide, keeping in mind some of the unique features? What will your key audiences be looking for from G+ that they’re not getting from Facebook or Twitter?

Ivey also advises marketers to Interact:

I follow about 8 or 10 people very closely and keep my eye on another dozen or so people. The rest I just check on (in my “stream”) once or so a day.  When someone says something interesting, I try to leave a comment or give it a 1+ (equal to a Facebook “like”). Do this selectively to build and connect  with your community, generate new connections and get added into the right groups/Circles. The key to managing this is limiting your sources, know what you’re looking for and being able to skim quickly and cut through the noise. 

Read Ivey's other five other tips for marketers here.