A lot of people ask me whether it's appropriate to post the exact same content at more than one online location. In other words, is it OK to post the same article to your blog and 3 or 4 other social networks to which you belong. I absolutely advise doing this, especially if each of those locations is unique unto itself and is frequented by groups of people who are interested in your subject matter.
Content is king on the Internet. It drives everything from search engine rankings to word of mouth buzz. If you are a mineral makeup company with a fantastic article about how mineral makeup colors can help you look your best on your wedding day, you'll want to post that article at your blog of course. But why not also cut and paste it to a bridal networking site, and a mom's networking site? And while you're at it, submit it to your local women's magazine as a suggested feature in their annual bridal issue. If the media outlet is relevant to your target audience and adds value to their experience, you want to be there.
Your customers are all over the place. They're at your blog, at other people's blogs, at private social networking sites with a few thousand users and at large ones with millions of users. It's a mistake to try to force everyone back to your blog when you can share valuable information with them where they are most comfortable — where their friends are and where, as a result, they are more likely to engage with you and share your ideas with others. Yes, it's time consuming. Yes, it's monotonous. But it's worth it. After all, if you invest your time empowering others, they will give you their valuable time, and this will in turn empower you. Now that's what I call a win/win situation.
Question: how do you select what outside social media outlets for re-publication of your articles and other content?
