Last month, I started a series on why business blogs are a valuable part of any online marketing and content plan. Because I’m still hit with many blank stares when I speak and consult on blogging, I decided to answer the simple question: “Why Blog?”
Reason #3 to blog? Share-ability! A blog’s built-in buttons, widgets and doohickeys are more than just cute. They make it easy for your readers to share your content with their friends or colleagues. By including these tools, you empower your readers to become your greatest content champions!
Why is sharing so important?
After the hours (or perhaps days) you spend researching and creating a blog post, you have two choices:
- Hit “Publish” and hope that others see it
- Hit “Publish” and notify your network of followers, friends and fans who care about your content!
The difference between the “share-ability” of blog posts and typical website pages is the ease of adding the proper tools to make sharing simple. With a self-hosted WordPress.org blog, you can install and activate the latest sharing tools in a matter of minutes. Once those tools are in place, you’re handing over an instant megaphone to each and every one of your readers.
But remember, effective blogging and social networking is not all about the tools…it’s about the content that’s being shared on those tools! Content is still king. The tools simply act as the town crier or a slew of carrier pigeons!
Top Plugins/Tools for Sharing
1) TweetMeme
If you’re a frequent blog reader, you’ve seen this one before, no doubt! Tweetmeme not only allows readers to instantly share your content with their Tweeps, it boasts how many people have chosen to do so. TweetMeme also aggregates all Tweets, categorizes them and creates many magical statistics about the Twittersphere.
Time to install: less than 2 minutes.
2) Sexy Bookmarks
Even with its silly name, this social bookmarking tool has outrun all other WordPress plugins. Why? Not only is it flexible, it’s cute as can be! The little buttons pop up when rolled over. Seems trivial, but what can I say — sexy sells!
Time to install: less than 5 minutes.
3) ShareThis & AddThis
These two widgets were the original sharing trailblazers. They still run strong today!
Time to install: less than 5 minutes.
4) DisQus
Just when we thought blog sharing tools had reached their peak—along comes DisQus! Instead of sharing your content, DisQus goes one step further and allows your readers to share comments that they leave on your blog with their networks on Facebook and Twitter! DisQus also allows them to rank whether they “like” others’ comments. I’ve tested this tool now for several months and have been impressed time and time again with its power, flexibility and usefullness! It’s also incredibly helpful for blog owners’ management of comments.
Time to install: less than 15 minutes.
Are you an active blogger? What sharing tools are your favorites?
