Just when you thought you knew everything, you go to a conference and learn about a bunch of new social media tools. Since we're all trying to blog in smarter and quicker ways, here are several that you should check out.
Google's Tools
Google now organizes most of their services under one member login. So if you have a Google account for Gmail or Adsense, once you log in at Google.com, you should have access to all your Google tools.
Some Google applications that you should learn to use are:
- Google Analytics – the daddy of all analytics tools. As soon as you set up your blog, you should install the Google Analytics code even if your blogging program comes with its own analytics.
- Feedburner - owned by Google, they’re in the process of moving all Feedburner feeds to feedburner.google.com.
- Google Reader - using Google's feed reader may have future SEO and social networking benefits.
- Google Webmaster Tools - For the technically savvy, installing Webmaster Tools will help with search engine traffic. For more information go to Google Webmaster Central.
Remember, it's Google's world - we just blog in it.
Search boxes
Lijit widget – provides content search for your readers and stats for you, and can be monetized.
List building
- With MyBlogLog you are able to build a community to contact about your latest post or contest. Also comes with analytics, recent reader widget, and “top links clicked on” code.
- AWeber, Constant Contact, and iContact are all great enewsletter list programs.
Photo editing
Picnik – if you don’t have the money to buy photo editing software like Photoshop, Picnik is the next best thing. Editing is done online and the basic package is free.
DIY Widgets
Widgetbox – make your own widgets or use someone else’s.
Blog Editors
Windows LiveWriter – If you want to blog offline because you’re concerned about losing a connection – and all your work – LiveWriter is for you. Another choice is ScribeFire, which works in your FireFox browser. Both are free programs.
Social collaborating and networking
CollectiveX and Ning are both ways to build social sites. CollectiveX is for work related groups, and Ning is more social. Best of all both are free.
Other tools
- Shortening URLS for Twitter or email: idek, TinyURL, SnipURL, TinyPaste, Link Bunch, Krunchd
- Polls and surveys for your blog: polldaddy
- Updating all your microblogging and social sites at once: Ping.fm, Hellotxt, Fuser
- Managing your online profiles in one place: AtomKeep, PeopleBrowser (Firefox only)
- Helping you keep track of online conversations: FriendFeed, TypePad Connect
Next issue: Twitter third party applications – should you trust them and which are good ones to use?
(Originally appeared in the Mom Central Blogger Enewsletter)
