I believe the Google hangout feature is the differentiator that could kill facebook. But only if used correctly with strategies that are implemented quickly. The hangout feature is cool and I think it's one of the main reasons so many people are on Google+ but it won't get the masses there and keep them there by it's self.
Google needs to do more, a lot more to get people hooked on Google+. I think first and foremost they need to think of themselves differently.
Right now I don't know how they look @ themselves but I know how they don't look @ them selves. They don't look @ themselves as a media company.
If they did there would be reality T.V. shows on Google+.
Ultimate Fighter matches, boxing matches, Saturday night movies, original content, interactive game shows, everything media running live! WTF is the "+" for? It should be for +everything!
With 44 billion dollars cash on the balance sheet they should be able to do all that and more. The major networks and every cable station should be afraid of Google+. They already have youtube so that's their on-demand basically. Now they need live broadcasting only viewable on Google+. Network execs should be having recurring nightmares in which little girls jump rope and sing in unison"one, two Google's coming for you, three, four you better improve more." In other words Google should be the Freddy Kruger of this whole shit and Google+ should be it's knife fingered glove.
It wouldn't be easy unless Google made it easy by paying Justin Bieber, Laddy Gaga, Kanye West, Drake, Cold Play, indie bands, and or whomever else is hot to do shows exclusively for Google+. Maybe a behind the scenes type reality show or one show per celeb like behind the music.. Also other original content. Also a music video countdown show like TRL or 106 and Park. Then do a few sleezy reality shows. Throw a bunch of them up against the wall and see what sticks.
Production is super cheap now and it shouldn't be hard for Google to dominate because they have so much cash and they bring in so much cash each year. They should have Google+ webinars also. google+ University! Classes Google offers only to Google+ users. Connect it to their nonprofit arm and deduct the costs of them shits!!!!
Google must make media truly social. With 100 million users not using Google+ much this is a huge opportunity.
Original content is key but there are business uses to Google+ also. The hangout feature, if a higher number of people can be on one session can rival gotomeeting and even skype. If you bundle Google charts, Google DOCs, and what ever else Google has thats useful to business enterprise into custom Google+ accounts coupled with devices from Motorola mobility you can market it a SaaS with a device included. Or a main device that BYOD can connect to and make the integration of external social media and IT easier they'd have a winner on their hands.
Coming up with ideas is not that difficult. It's the implementation of the idea that's tricky. I'm sure I'm overlooking somethings but this is just a rough blueprint. What's clear to me is that the social media company that wins it all will be the one that offers the best user experience. Be that user a social media addict or an introvert geek or an IT enterprise associate, social media has to be accommodating from the first login. Whether she has a friend in the world or is the life of the party. The value should be evident to the point the IT specialist, the small business owner, or the rock start drummer can see it immediately. It has to be where people would rather be. The only way you make your site the place people want to be is by having features that can't be found anywhere else online or off.
Anyway, I wish Google all the luck in the world and if your still reading this thank you... Feel free to leave a comment pointing out anything I overlooked.