How to Start a Hangout on Google Plus

by Debi Auger

Hello!!
I was asked how to access Google Plus from a Gmail account and use the Hangout function... which is one of your options for one-on-one coaching with me. So here's a quick tutorial for you.

Sign into your gmail account and you will see +YourName in the top left corner or, if you don't have gmail, go to Plus.Google.com.

Click on that and it will take you to your Google + home page, or ask you to set up a Google + account if you don't already have one. From here you can start a hangout 2 ways. You can click on Start a Hangout on the top right:

or you can click on Hangouts in the left navigation bar:

If you use the second method, you'll be taken to this page where you can choose to join a hangout in progress, search for a hangout, learn more about hangouts or click the red Start a Hangout button on the top right:

Once you click Start a Hangout (at either place), you will be taken to a page showing this

as well as the people in your circles for you to choose to invite and you in a video box at the bottom of the screen. You can select friends to invite, name the hangout, enable the record function and restrict others from joining in. Once you've made your choices, click Hang Out and you'll be taken to the Hangout screen that looks like this:

and it will also have the video box of you at the bottom. If it's the first time you're using Hangouts, you'll want to fix your settings. The first time I did one, I didn't know this and no one could hear me because my microphone wasn't set right. So click on the cog wheel on the upper right to adjust your settings:

The settings screen will pop up and allow you to set yours and test them:

Once you're finished, click Save Settings and you'll be back on the Hangout screen.

I don't have a photo of a Hangout in progress, but the way the display works is that there is one large box at the center top that changes because the person who is speaking shows up in that large box. Everyone else's video screens are in line at the bottom.

You can opt to turn off video if you want so no one can see you and, if you do, your video screen will just be a black square. (Totally not fair though ;-) )

There's a chat function available on the left side during a Hangout as well if you need to pop a link or something else into the chat.

It's a really cool tool. It's useful for personal chats with your friends and family. It's a great business tool to work in a Mastermind Group or to use for one-on-one or group coaching calls. And it's FREE! So for those of you who are on Skype, but want the ability to have group chat without the added expense, take advantage of Google Hangouts.

Enjoy and have fun with your new tool!

Much success,

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