Google Docs (Short for “Document”) is an online tool you can use to make a document (event flyer/chapter calendar etc.) that people can view online when you give them the link, without having to email them the file.
This has some benefits over using something like a word document that you email out.
- A link to the google doc can be added to the bottom of every email you send out, and linked in your facebook group – making it easy for members to find.
- When you make changes to the google doc, anyone viewing the doc will see the updated version – no need to email out an updated file.
- No need for people to search for where they saved a file if they need to look at the details again.
- Saves confusion if people refer to an older file that has since been updated.
How to make a Google Doc.
In any Google product page when you’re signed into your Google account, click on the square of dots to open the menu of Google products.
Scroll right down until you find the “Docs” option.
Then once you’re in the Docs screen, click on the first option with the + symbol titled “Blank” to start a new doc.
You can also see any docs you’ve made or accessed listed down below that top row.
From then on, you type out the information you would do on a Word document.
If you make a mistake and want to undo something you’ve done, there’s an “undo” button in the top menu
How to get the link to give to others
Click on the “share” button up in the top right.
Make sure it’s set to allow “anyone with the link” as a “viewer”!!
(If it’s set to restricted then nobody but you can see it, and if you change it to editor then anyone can edit the file and that’s not a good idea).
Then clink on “Copy link” – it will automatically copy the link to your clipboard, so you can then go into an email and either right click and select “paste” or hold down the “ctrl” key and the “V” key at the same time to paste.
You can use an email “signature” to automatically add this Google Doc link to the bottom of every email you send out – so your members never need to hunt for this file.
