Bookmarks (Extended): Part 1

Most of the web sites I maintain are WordPress blogs. It makes it too easy to control your site and make to make site wide modifications. Also you can't beat the “out of the box” features.

Though WordPress.org made it to my “frequently visited sites” list it isn't a site that I visit often. It is only here because 90% of the time I'm working on a WordPress blog.

I love Blogger. I use Blogger to test keywords in different markets, to post content from my cell phone and to share digital photos with my friends. Besides, you really can't beat the convenience and price of Blogger.

Recognized Expert made it to my list for several reasons. One, I get exposure to the people I want to be in front of and two, I know when I post to Recognized Expert I can expect hundreds of views very quickly. There are many niched web sites out there that will allow you to blog or post where your potential clients can find you. Specialized, niched forums are a great place to get exposure and talk directly to your customers.

The thing to remember is that every time you publish content it will forever be available on the net, meaning your content can be selling your services while you sleep.

Anyone who has been to one of our internet marketing workshops will know that I'm a Stumble fanatic. I can spend hours at a time stumbling through thousands of interesting web pages. It makes it fun and easy to find the newest most interesting content in nearly any topic you enjoy. Another great thing about StumbleUpon is that it does not rely on “snappy page titles,” or “high click through” keywords. If content is interesting it will be shared.

Further more, StumbleUpon is an incredibly valuable research tool. Lets say you sell coffee, or consulting services. Why wouldn't you check out the most interesting, highly shared sites within the topic you are trying to dominate? There is no better way to see what you need to do with your site and your content to succeed! (Remember, things that work for one site won't necessarily work with another. Different demographics crave different things.)

In a matter of minutes you will be stumbling through sites your customers like. Don't waste time guessing, do a little “Stumble” research before you even start. (Don't forget to ask your visitors to “stumble” your content if they like it. It never hurts to ask

Digg is probably the largest social bookmarking site on the face of the planet. I use it mostly when I don't have access to the StumbleUpon tool bar. (For example on my phone or iPod)

Though Digg isn't my social bookmarking site of choice, it is not to be underestimated or ignored. If you think the “Stumble rush” is overwhelming, try making it to the front page of Digg...

I hate bookmarking things with my web browser. I use so many different computers and web-able devices that I would never be able to keep track of my favorite web sites if it wasn't for Del.icio.us. Once I save a page to Del.icio.us I can find it again from any other system. Del.icio.us has far more to offer than just saving bookmarks, but I use it almost exclusively for organization and convenience.

Facebook is great for many reasons. First of all, most of my friends are on Facebook and it makes it very easy to keep in touch with them and secondly, as with most social networks, you can tap into the markets you are interested in almost immediately if your content is right for the Facebook demographic.

Almost the same as Facebook, only it has more of a “business” overtone. Different demographic, same concept.

Free video hosting, free exposure to millions of potential viewers, easy media sharing and the ability to post the video on your own web site without burning through server resources? How can you beat that? YouTube is great, especially when you start to get a following. Your viewers crave new content and want to hear what you have to say. Don't overlook YouTube and the other social video sites, you can't afford to not take advantage of what they have to offer.