Announcing Google Plus (G+) and Google+ Local Training for DC Metro Business “What Every Business Needs to Know to Survive” with G+ Expert and Consultant Mark Boudreau

Google has converted 80 million Google Places pages worldwide into Google+ Local pages. Google+ trainer and consultant Mark Boudreau to teach local business owners what they need to know and do to generate leads and increase profits.

Google Plus is rapidly & completely changing search and the way people find things online. And as Google integrates all Google services into Plus (G+) the question for every business must be: What will this mean for your business?

The latest change has seen the demise of Google Places. Google Places (Maps) has been a powerful search and reviews ally for companies looking to boost their local popularity. Now Google is taking the first step to eradicate millions of Google Places pages and morph them all into new Google+ Local pages.

Why is Google making these changes? Mark Boudreau, veteran executive of several major ad firms and a Google Plus and Google Places expert states: “This is Google's move to ramp up social integration. Fundamentally Google+ Local Pages for business are an evolution of Places pages with a more powerful and comprehensive system for customer and client reviews.” Google believes that the new Google+ Local will bring people more relevant and better-trusted results from their search queries. Boudreau continues, “This really is quite an exciting shift and businesses can expect many more radical changes to come."

As with any update there are bugs and lingering issues as a result of the major update. It appears that the transition from Google Places into the new Google+ Local pages have left many Google business users in a state of confusion and disarray. For business owners who use Google Places already and understand the power that it brings to local search, this integration with Google+ Business Pages has generated both concern and excitement.

When asked how Google Places owners have responded to the changes Boudreau says:

"The main concern Google business users have expressed is that the changes came with no apparent warning. Many are worried about how Google+ Local will affect their search results and page rank and do not know what steps to take to maximize this opportunity."

Boudreau continues, "Although Google is promising increased merchant benefits from the new business rating system, and are planning to roll out many more helpful merchant features, this radical and sudden change to how they generate business has rocked the boat."

Boudreau agrees that the sudden switch over to Google+ Local pages raises a lot of questions for business owners. Boudreau plans to bring effective Strategic Google Plus (G+) and Google+ Local Training & Services, via free training sessions, to all local business in the Northern Virginia and Washington, DC Metro area.

“The message that business can no longer afford to ignore the impact of social search is not getting across to people. 97% of all web searches are for something local,” says Boudreau. “I am on a mission to help people get on board and benefit before their businesses gets left behind.”

These free, one-hour trainings are already confirmed and scheduled at 3 (three) Northern Virginia locations with more locations to be added:

Scheduled and Confirmed:

· Monday July 2, 2012 - 6:30 – 7:30 PM – Arlington County Central Library

1015 N Quincy Street Arlington, VA 22201 - Meeting Rooms 1 and 2

· Monday July 30, 2012 - 6:30 – 7:30 PM Dolley Madison Community Library

McLean, VA 22101 – Meeting Rooms 1 and 2

· Wednesday August 29, 2102 - 6:30 – 7:30 PM - Oakton Library 10304 Lynnhaven Place Oakton, VA 22124 Meeting Rooms 1 and 2

A variety of take-away material and a Q & A session will be part of each free session. All events are limited to 100 participants.

To register and confirm, participants need to call either: 202-285-4428 or 800-563-9543. Business owners who wish to get more information about the upcoming completely free trainings may also visit the following web links:

http://on.fb.me/July2GPlusEvent - July 2, 2012 Arlington Library

http://on.fb.me/July30GPlusEvent - July 30, 2012 Dolley Madison Library

http://on.fb.me/Aug29GPlusEvent - August 29, 2012 Oakton Library

http://PlacesChanges.com/ - General overview of G+ Places changes

Mark Boudreau is a 17+ year vet of some of the largest ad agencies in the world [Ogilvy & Mather, DraftFCB, Arnold]. He has worked on countless social media/web campaigns/PR for clients such as: American Express, Victoria's Secret, Johnson & Johnson, Sprint, Equal, Chase Bank, US Army and several more. His love of local business has allowed him to help hundreds of local merchants market like Fortune 500 Companies. Mr. Boudreau has lived in Northern Virginia for 29 years.

Google, Google Plus and Google Places are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Google Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. Mark Boudreau is in no way affiliated, employed or contracted with Google Corp.