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How to Get Your Readers to Share Your Content

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Share Content

I love the power of social networks. One of the things I admire most about them is how much they enable people to spread the news and share content that has impressed them in whatever way.

As a blogger, you can use this raw potential in your favor. You can encourage readers to share your content and thus, they become promoters of your blog and your cause. In my experience, this is one of the best ways to build authority and readership for a blog.

Personally, I’ve tried and compared many ways of getting readers to share my content. In the end, I realized that four methods have the best impact. Here they are.

1. Write Content worth Sharing

Fundamentally, people decide to share certain content because it has impacted them in a powerful way, and they believe that it will impact others as well. When they come across really good content, they wanna take part in promoting it.

I believe this is a very powerful force to leverage; but in order to do so, writing exceptional contend must be a priority for you. Posting frequently has little value if your posts are not top-notch. Focus on quality much more than on quantity.

2. Be Scandalous

One of the most important things I’ve learned is that people tend to remember and talk about ideas and statements they find somewhat scandalous a lot more than normal ideas and statements.

This is why it’s a highly beneficial thing to write with an edge: express yourself authentically; talk about those things people avoid talking about, put out there those radical or unusual ideas you have. Even if you generate a negative emotional reaction for some readers, trust me, it will help you a lot more than no reaction.

3. Make It Easy To Share

Most readers, even if they have the initial impulse to share your content, they will often not act on that impulse if it’s not very easy for them to share it. This is why it’s essential to make sharing your content a simple and straightforward process.

One of the best things I’ve ever done on my blog was to add a big Retweet button at the beginning of each post. It’s easy to see, easy to find, easy to use. Think about the channels that your readers use the most to share content, and make it really easy for them to use those channels from your blog.

4. Ask Your Readers to Share

It’s amazing what you can get people to do if you simply ask them. Many people read something, they enjoy it, but they simply don’t think about spreading the news. You can miss a big opportunity because of this.

The good news is that you can do something about it: actually tell your readers to share your content if they’ve enjoyed it or found it useful. For example, add an easy to read message at the end of a post telling them this. And don’t isolate it from the rest of the post; make it an integral part of its ending.

Many people are eager to share content and become themselves sources of information. They just need a good reason and sometimes an extra push. Provide them with these two elements, and you’ll see your blog traffic take off.

About

Eduard Ezeanu provides communication coaching and helps people put their best foot forward in communication both online and offline. He also writes on his blog people skills blog.

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{ 43 Responses }

  1. D.M. Mitchell says:
    Thank you! The saying "sharing is caring" never, never gets old!
  2. Raj says:
    Sharing other bloggers' content on a regular basis also help to get your content shared. After all, sharing is caring :)
  3. Aakash says:
    Controversy always sales. All media group adopted this from the very first day and this one is still going very strong and all.
  4. Mani Viswanathan says:
    Write unique Contents as you said & ask them to share it. Bloggers (some of them) feel shy to ask it @ bottom of the post. Frankly I don't ask, that doesn't mean m shy of it. I rather ask my readers to comment :)
  5. Dan says:
    Hi there, Nice post! On the blog I write for sometimes we found that tip 4 works best. If we don't tell them to share, they don't... All the buttons is still at the same place but we have to remind them... By the way. In our case "Sharebar" like in here on famousbloggers wasn't really working out. Under the post was the best solution. Dan
  6. Isabel Rodrigues - Pro Blogger Journey says:
    Good points. Thanks for sharing
  7. Caleb says:
    I know of one blogger who even did a contest awarding the reader who retweeted the post the most and needless to say, that blog post received tons of traffic from all those tweets. As for "being scandalous" some may not have the stomach to go that route, but I believe it is allowable as long as the particular content is your true and honest viewpoint as opposed to merely being a concoction purposely made up to be scandalous.
  8. Icechen1 says:
    3. Make It Easy To Share is an important step, but don't overdo it! Don't put social buttons everywhere on the page; it's ugly.
  9. Dennis Edell says:
    Unfortunately most bloggers I see, take the meaning of controversial to mean "act like a jackass".....it needs to be handled with care, and most don't have the chops for it.
    • Sid says:
      I think "being controversial" does have its own merits and demerits. Whenever you are controversial, a lot of people will ALWAYS think you are being a jackass. I don't think you can take everyone into consideration.
      • Dennis Edell says:
        I disagree, albeit slightly. If you do it right, the only ones that should think you a jackass, are those against what you';re writing. Example: You write a controversial regarding the idiocy of black-hat marketing/SEO...do it right and the only ones thinking you a jackass are black-hats; in which case, who cares? ;-) See what I mean?
  10. Khalid Hosein says:
    Yup, point #4 is easily the most overlooked (I'm guilty of it myself). On point #3, I think you need to offer more than just a Retweet button. After all, not everyone is on Twitter or even when they are, inclined to use it.
  11. Alex says:
    Well, asking the readers doesn't have to be embarrassing, it can be seen as a reward for you after you delivered them a great post. So you can ask them to share your article if they like it, thus you don't have to beg :D. Oh, and yeah writing about a controversial topic, and expressing your opinion can attract heap loads of comments and some social media attention.
  12. Dennis Edell says:
    I think, ironically, Ask Your Readers to Share is the best and most underutilized method there is. many think it is embarrassing, unethical, or just plain wrong. It's not! Well it might be embarrassing, but you'll get over it. ;-)
    • Caleb says:
      I wouldn't see that as embarrassing at all. In fact, it is a marketing rule to always give strong calls for action in your content. However I am aware some ppl operate from totally different frames of mind. For example, one blogger got angry at me in the comment section on this blog because I responded to his comment starting out by saying "it's ironic you mention that"... apparently the term ironic is considered to be rude and derogatory in some circles?! But being that I tend to stay positive along with knowing what the term actually means, it is impossible for me to be offended by it. Afterall, you just used the term and I'm cool with it :cool:
      • Dennis Edell says:
        Yes indeed, some do operate from very different frames of mind. I know a few bloggers who admittedly do not like to partake in many "marketing tactics"; they feel weird about actually saying "buy this", in any form. The ironic comment: I watched that unfold and laughed while crying. My head was spinning but ultimately concluded it was too stupid to comment on...you handled it well. ;-)
  13. Andreas says:
    In order for your users to share your content, you should also make sure that its easily shareable, by providing social bookmarking tools, as well as retweet and facebook like buttons.
  14. Zeeshan says:
    Scandalous and interesting and quality comments are most important factors which can compel readers to share the article. Nice Post
  15. Shailender says:
    Your points are appreciated and these points will somehow help to increase the popularity of the contents and the site as well.
  16. Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach says:
    New Name for my site - The Covertly Scandalous Mooses! Actually, did you know...there's a fantastic blog about 6 Siberian huskies called The Thundering Herd over at http://www.thethunderingherd.com/news/ . Tremendously satisfying read, if you know mooses. And yes, mentioning folks in articles - that almost always gets it shared.
  17. Jennifer says:
    Thanks for giving us tips on how to make our blogs interactive to our readers. I appreciate your ideas and I agree with you when we speak of a quality content of the blog. But one thing that I was get commented on is your idea for being scandalous. I know that it sounds terrible, you have the point on it but of course doing it in a nice way that the reader will not get embarrass. It will catch attention and it will make the reader to read more about your blog but make sure to discuss and answer it well so that the reader will be satisfied on it. Thanks for your good post!
  18. RinatisDinoro says:
    Even if you 1. Write Content worth Sharing, it doesn't mean people will share...You have also to have luck in this
  19. Andrew says:
    It's a very good idea of asking readers to share content.I will implement this idea in my posts.
  20. Brandon Cox says:
    Nice simple approach. I don't know why, but asking people to share my content never really crossed my mind! Too simple I guess.
  21. Kerry says:
    Awesome tips Eduard. Getting people to share your content is a great way to build authority and increase the readership to your site, and an effective way to accomplish this is to both make it easy for people to share your content and give them a call to action by asking them kindly to share it. I myself have retweeted a person's content simply because at the end of the article they asked me to spread the word. All your tips are effective, but a call to action I think is the most powerful.
  22. Lennart Heleander says:
    Hi Eduard, You are totally right in paragraph 2, scandal blogs are the most popular blogs in Sweden. People love to read gossip.
  23. chandan says:
    Writing the best of best content is one important factor for sharing content, the better you write then have the better chance of get your content shared.
  24. Natalie says:
    I did number 4 just once and it really does work. All I wrote was "Happy reading and if you like the list, please scroll to the bottom and press the thumbs up button for Face book.". I would not do it for every post though as that would look desperate.
  25. Robert Nelson says:
    Interesting points on how to involve your readers
  26. Kevin says:
    asking your readers to share your content is the easiest way to do it. Sometimes you just have to tell them.
  27. Justin Popovic says:
    Hey Eduard, Wanted to drop a quick note to say hi and commend you on a great post. I think you nailed it with point #2. The scandalous angle is something that many people fear doing but it works. I have been wanting to push my boundaries in this regard and your article reminded me to give myself that extra push. My next few videos will focus on the scandalous strategy! thanks Justin
  28. wasim ismail says:
    Useful, as many of the the time we forget to encourage our readers to promote and share our article, which is easily forgotten when posting. I think my making it extremely easy, (spoon fed) for users to share the article you will get more results, like adding a share button at the bottom of each article, reminding them in the content it self, and like on this blog the side bar plugin, which goes up and down as you scroll. So its always bold and there.
  29. Dan says:
    Hi Eduard, Nice post. No revolution, but good and useful tips. Another "tip": one day I just added a bright arrow to twitter button in my blog and it works!
  30. James Johnston says:
    eduardezeanu, Great article, I believe that to get your article to be shared across the social media networks you have to have good content. But at the same time, you need to have a strong community of followers in your social media networks. You have to connect and get to know your followers and those you follow. Once you have that, then the killer content will be shared.
  31. Dave says:
    I've long wanted to take heed of point 4, but am a very passive person, so find it hard to ask anyone to do anything. How do you ask people to share your articles? In the post? By addressing them directly on Twitter, or in follow-up comments? What's your strategy? Thanks
  32. TJ McDowell says:
    I think another good way is to give something to your readers. It could be a tool, could be a contest, whatever you can do to add value to their lives. We've found that content goes viral pretty quick when you start giving stuff away.
  33. Sheila Atwood says:
    Hi Eduard, It sounds so simple but it is easy to forget....just ask you readers to share your content, good one. Lately I have been to several blogs I really like and wanted for follow them on Twitter but he make it so difficult. They have a RT button but not a follow button so I can watch what they are doing and RT their future posts.
  34. Tom says:
    I find that one of the best ways to get people to share is to mention them in your posts. A lot of people want something out of everything - so bribe them to share your content by finding a way to include their content in your posts :)
  35. Eduard - People Skills Decoded says:
    How cool to see my article live today! I'm looking forward to the readers' thoughts on this subject.
    • Hesham says:
      Great, thank you Eduard for the awesome post!