When it comes to advice for bloggers it can be a bit hit and miss. Lately the readership of this blog has plateaued as I worked hard on getting the workbook to completion. Looking for advice I clicked around the interwebs look for advice. I was told time and time again to create shareable content. Be something that people could not help but share with others.
Given that it was THE most common piece of advice I thought, yes I can do this. Be shareable. Right. Let me get right on to that… Crickets. Ummm. What the heck IS shareable content? What makes it more shareable than other pieces of content. And if I’m honest how the heck will I know it when I see it? I’m only ever right a third of time when I publish something if it’s going to be something that people go a bit nuts over.
Be shareable is vague advice at best.
Be helpful. Provide value. Makes sure the content is attractive. Check your spelling and grammar. All advice I can follow. But given that the biggest YouTube successes appear to be predominantly random, I wonder how one determines shareable. I tried for a while to consider my idea of posts that I find shareable. I listed them out as useful things I want to save. Posts that made me think of someone so I shared to their page. And things that made me go ‘YES!’ out loud. None of these are very specific either.
In the end I gave it all up and wrote this post instead. It’s too hard sometimes to consider, plot and plan your content. And I guess that’s the advice I would give especially to those just starting out in blogging. Chill. Write stuff you love. Come up with fresh ideas and share them but don’t put pressure on yourself to be shareable. If your great the sharing will come or it won’t. Either way who cares, you’re great right? So whatever. Haha.
What makes a post shareable for you? Help a blogger out.
Hi! I’m Melissa Walker Horn. Around here, they call me Suger. I’m the Chief Blogger and doer of all the things here at Suger Coat It. Blogging since 1901; I love a casual ootd, taking photos, and writing about things that irk or inspire me. I love wine and cheese, long days at the beach and spending time with my family. I make stuff for the internet over at Chalkboard Digital. You know, living the sweet life.
A shareable post is something that just clicks deep within me. It can vary so much dependent on my mood or train of thought or circumstances for that moment. I don’t always comment on the post, usually but not always. Sometimes it can hit an uncomfortable place but it is still one of those posts.
A blog that keeps me coming back however largely has to do with the blogger. When I comment do they reply and make me feel included? That is what separates a blog with good content to a great blog in my opinion.
You’re so right, of course. Shareable changes with your mood. The time of day. Where you might send it. All that kind of thing.
Comment replies are SO important to me. Even if it takes me a couple of days to get to them {which I hate, I much prefer the first 24 hours after they are left, personal rule!}. It’s SO important for me to reply, for there to be conversation. Otherwise right a book. 😉
I think trying to define ‘shareable’ is like trying to define ‘beautiful’ – it means different things to different people! I think as long as you are being true to yourself, being helpful, entertaining and interesting, topical and authentic then you’re generally on your way. You missy are indeed all of the above – shareable AND beautiful? I’d call that WINNING! 😉
Sheri you wise young thing you. You’re absolutely correct, of course. It’s SO subjective, that’s what makes it such vague advice. Pointless almost in a lot of ways.
And thank you muchly. x
Hey Mel, I love reading ur blog and got onto it thru the outfit post for “she wears what!” I think ur totally shareable, the pics u put up quite often have me going “I want that” so I save it to a Pintrest file for later. That’s sharing isn’t it? Any how I just had to ask if the glasses at the start were urs or a random pic cause I love them and would like to know where they’re sold!?
Heya Michelle, yes that’s shareable! So thanks for sharing. Phew. Job done. 😉
And the glasses I found on eBay for my 30th birthday party. Search for pixel glasses, or neon glasses and they should be there. Let me know if you have an issue and I’ll try and find a link in my account.
Do you think they mean content which makes the reader go – “Oh man, I have to share this! With my friends, my facebook, my pinterest, ANYBODY – because it’s so cool/interesting/amazing/shocking”?
For me, that’s what it’s about. I love to share blogs and articles I read – whether it’s a tweet because I think my tweeps would find it interesting, or a FB share because I think my family might like it, or a Pin because it’s pretty/cool/handy and *I* like it and want to file it for later.
You run the gambit of sharable stuff all the time Melissa – from thoughtful, insightful pieces on confidence to outfit posts to recipes. Just keep on doing what you like, and people who are looking for “something” will find their answers and share them 🙂
Yeah I do. As vague as it is, I think that’s the gist of it. I think if you try to hard to be shareable then you probably won’t be. It’ll be all contrived and crap. Which is the funniest part about reading advice to be shareable. Not that there aren’t always improvements to make. I do my best and I’m always looking for ways to improve. Thanks Sarah. x
Shareable? Haven’t a clue.
I don’t come here so much anymore because I’m just not that interested in fashion. I used to love the real estate postings you did. I’m much more interested in houses than I am skirts.
Me either, apparently. I did notice that, I thought perhaps the load time sucked again. Who knew it was just me talking about skirts. 😉
Sometimes luck plays a part.
Recently, I have had two examples on my blog. Over year or so ago, I was at the S.F. Airport and they had this display of model airplanes there. They were all done by a guy named Edward Chavez. I guess he was THE GUY in this area. I took pictures and did a blog about it. Well, two months ago some model airplane collector saw my stuff and threw it on his model airplane site as a link. And presto. I just (on Yahoo) typed in Edward Chavez model airplane and my blog came up.
The other example is, I was at the University of Washington and took some pics of their Athletic Hall of Fame. Some graduate and former football player from the school, saw it and posted the link on his ESPN page.
Both of those were luck.
Luck and reporting on things of interest to you, I would say. It’s so true though that you never REALLY know when or where a post will go a bit nuts.
When I read “shareable content” I think of posts with certain features that makes it easier to share them on all social networks. Personally, I mostly share post through Pinterest, and blogs that don´t include images on their posts just make it harder for me.
As for your blog, you not only have great pics, but also have all the “share” buttons at the end of each post, so I think you´re ready to teach a thing or two to whoever wants to have “shareable content”
Okay awesome. Thanks for the feedback. Maybe I could teach them a thing or two by actually defining shareable! Haha.
I think one of the things that keeps me coming back to your site (DAILY, I might add- like my cup of coffee in the morning) is that you are consistently putting out content. I have liked a ton of blogs, but quit them when people will go 2 weeks without posting. I just seem to lose steam for their message. The other thing I like in a blog is pictures. Much easier to share because it gets the point across easily and makes you want to “read on”. It was what first hooked me on your blog. You usually post 4-5 pictures and it makes your message super clear and interesting – whether you are talking about clothes, food, family or travel. Keep those images coming- love them :-). I live in Austin, TX, and follow probably 16 blogs daily. You are in my top 3! Keep up the good work, sister!!!!
Well thank you!! High praise indeed. It always makes me super proud to hear something like that. And I appreciate the feedback! Sometimes I worry that it’s too many photos so that is GREAT news.
Do what I do, honey… Write what is in your head, and write it like you’re talking to your friends.
Your real friends might read it, or they might not. And you might just make real friends from people who read your blog. Isn’t that the best-case scenario..?!
It’s great advice, absolutely Katy. And in the end it’s what I always come back to. No matter what sort of plotting and planning I do. Haha.
How about just be yourself? That is why I keep coming back 🙂
I agree with Jennifer – exactly why I keep coming back, you are brilliant!
Thanks KP. Much appreciated.
Well there is THAT of course. Haha. Thanks Jennifer. I always find my way back to myself in the end. Thank goodness!