Join My Circles : Learn to Grow Circles

Are you part of a particular social circle? Maybe you are but possibly do not even realize. Keep in mind a social circle does not have to be very large. Nor do they have to be online. Fortunately, joining a social circle is rather easy. In fact, unlike as attempted by Alan Garner in the movie Hangover, you do not need to draw blood to join the pack.

Image Source: Hangover

It is questionable if a circle of one can be considered a social circle. However, I do believe that if you have at least one other person, you can qualify. For the purposes of this website, let's go forward based on the understanding that to develop a social circle (or a pack), you will need at least one person in addition to your self. Basically, you plus one other will suffice.

Social circles have existed along side humanity for long before the internet was invented. Circles have existed, but over the years the method in which to engage with one another has changed. As we move from one vehicle to the next, we find that our social circles come along for the ride. For example, going back in history people formed social circles via face to face interaction. After the invention of the telephone, the phone because an important tool to keep tabs on the members of your social network. After the invention of the internet, you and your friends may have experimented together with MySpace, then possibly twitter, or facebook. Then came along Plus One (+1) and the Google social network called "Circles". So what is next? Only time will tell.

Regardless of the network (method in which we socialize with our circles), humans apparently enjoy socializing with one another. Actually, maybe I should not use the word "enjoy". Some of us enjoy social networking. However, others may use networking simply as a method to conduct business (possibly not for enjoyment but out of necessity). Oh yeah, I almost forget to mention LinkedIn which had originally been developed as a method for corporate America to manage their business contacts (and expand their business contacts).

OK, if you are reading this website, we can assume that you are at least some what in agreement that social networks, business networks, and social circles are an important aspect of modern life in the United States and around the globe. Now that we are all in agreement, let's discuss various aspects of online social circles.

Google Circles

Google has a social networking method that is being called "Circles". In our opinion, this was a very good name selection. The term "social circles" is very common and it is easy for people to understand the concept. In summary, the system allows users with a profile to create categories to classify their acquaintances. For example, a user can create a separate circle (category) for the following and more:

Friends
Family
Co-Workers
Ex-Girl Friends or Boyfriends
Business Connections

And the list can go on and on. Actually, I am not sure if they have a limit to the number of categories (you will have to do your own research on that issue). As far as I know, the Circles (Categories) can not currently be broken down into further tiers (sub categories or sub circles). The following is an example with sub circles.

Friends

Best Friends

Good Friends

Family

My Family

My Wife's Family

Family I rarely see

Co-Workers

My Bosses

Ones with Sense of Humor

Ones I hate but must pretend to like

Ex-Girl Friends or Boyfriends

Ones I want to make jealous

Ones I want to annoy

Sexy Ones And I want to see pictures

Business Connections

From My Last Job

From Trade Shows

New York

Los Angeles

In my opinion, sub circles would be beneficial and I think that Google should have consulted me and I would have suggested this method to them (note: this is being written July 15, 2011; by the time you read this possibly they have created a sub category system for circles). In all honesty, if it was up to me, I would say to add sub categories to the sub categories and so on.

Anyway, in a nutshell Google Circles is a networking resource that allows you to categorize your aquantences into various circles. Via the circles will can share comments, photos, and videos by allowing members of your circles to view your streams.

Visible vs. Non Visible Social Circles

Some social environments are visible to the public and other social environment are not visible. Furthermore, some networks are a combination and have portions of the network visible and other portions not visible to everyone.

Some networking sites are visible in an effort to promote members. This is typically relevant for business to business networks. For example, if you work in the fashion industry, and you wish to promote your product or fashion relevant services to other members of the industry, you may want to join a networking site such as the Fashion Industry Network, Jewelry Network, or Shoe Network. From social sites such as these, you will find "groups", which are similar to social circles. The groups can be set to private. However, currently on the above mentioned networks they are visible to all.

Note: portions of visible networks may be private; such as private e-mailing functions.

In regard to Google Circles, people with profiles can manage to some extent what is public and what is not public. Although I am not certain that this will always be the case, but for now if you place a person into one of the circles that you have created, they do NOT see the title of the circle. In other words, if you have a Circle titled "My Enemies", in theory the people that you place into that category (circle) will NOT be able to see how you have classified them.

Questions About Google Circles :

1) What if I post to the wrong circles?

2) What should I do if someone can see my circles title?

3) How do I delete circles?

4) How do I edit circles?

5) I do I grow my circles?

Note: If you have questions regarding the Google system, you should most definitely seek the most up to date and accurate answers directly from their website. The information and links here on this website is not official information. This is just our opinion and our understanding of the services. Obviously, we could be wrong and also services, rules, methods, etc., continuously change. Therefore, definitely go directly to Google to find out the correct information.

In our opinion, we do not think that Google will allow anyone to see the social circles that you create with their system. However, we certainly know to never say never. Although the intention was to keep circle titles private, it must be assumed that anything is possible. Anyway, in our opinion, it is always a good idea to me nice to "all" of your acquaintances. Therefore, you should not label your categories with any mean spirited terminology.

Do you think it is appropriate for people to see circles that you create? If so, what steps have you taken to make it easier for people to find your circles?

Carefully Select Who Should Be Placed in a Particular Circle

Once you create your circles, you would want to be very careful in regard to who you want added to the circle. Certainly, you do not want to run into an Anthony Weiner situation (he screwed up his career using twitter).

So, what do you think of social networking and social circles? If you have found this site to be of interest, please tell the other people in your circle of friends.

Have you ever asked yourself, "How do I get more people to Join My Circle?"

Thank you for taking the time to visit the Join My Circles website. We certainly hope that our guide has aided your research.