How to Get an Invitation to Google Wave

You've probably been hearing more and more about a new online service from Google called Google Wave. Google Wave is a new online collaboration tool that combines some of the best features of social networking, e-mail, and instant messaging. Users can create streams of communication called "waves" that they can invite friends to, and then share ideas using a variety of multimedia functions and interactive widgets. As you may also have heard, Google Wave is currently accessible to users that have been "invited" to the service, either directly from Google or from a current Google Wave users (who are only given a limited number of invitations to send out). Google Wave invitations are hard to come by, but here are a few tips to help you get one:

1. Request a Google Wave invitation directly from Google. This is the very first step you should take. Just head over to the Google Wave website (the address is in the resources section of this article) and click the link to request an invitation. You won't get an invitation right away, but you will be placed on a waiting list for when Google decides to roll out the service to more users. While you're waiting for a Google Wave invitation directly from Google, you can keep searching for an invitation elsewhere.

2. Use social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook to help find current Google Waves users. Someone in your group of friends & family may already be using Google Wave and have an invitation available to send to you. Post a message to your favorite social networking site saying that you are looking for a Google Wave invitation...you may be surprised at who responds, and I know many people who have been invited to Google Wave this way. Just remember, though, if one of your friends is kind enough to send you a Google Wave invitation, make sure you "wave" with them once you're on the service, at least for a little while.

3. If you're really desperate, you can buy a Google Wave invitation on eBay. Just head over to the eBay website, type "Google Wave" into the search box, and you'll find dozens of users selling invitations to Google Wave for $1-$5. It may seem like a lot to pay for something that you can eventually get for free, but if you've just been dying to try out Google Wave, this may be the fastest way to get an invitation. Just remember that even when someone sends you an invitation, it can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to show up in your e-mail inbox, so be patient. Hopefully by following these steps, you'll be joining the ranks of Google Wavers in no time!