Options for distributing content on the web Aug27 '07

"I have some content that I'd like to share with others using the web."

"What are my options, and what are the benefits and drawbacks to each?"

Consider yourself

First, double-check to make sure you really want to share this content.

• Is it personal or private information?
• Would you want potential (or current) employers to find this information?

Make sure there's an endless supply

Next, make sure you won't ever (at least, in the foreseeable future) run out of ideas. This can be tough to gauge at first, since inspiration is at it's highest during the peak of a new idea. You don't want to start content, then abruptly end it, with the sole reason being your sudden lack of interest. And let's face it - almost everything eventually loses it's luster. So make sure it's really something that's almost ingrained within you.

• Is your content a new (and possibly temporary) interest?
• Is this an interest or concept that has been with you for a while, and which you're assured will be with you for a long time?

Consider your audience

How involved do you want your audience to be? There are various levels of involvement that go along with web content.

Do you want feedback for your content? If so, to what extent can readers post responses?

• A typical "blog" allows for comments on individual posts, which are somehow displayed on the page alongside the original post. Some systems allow anonymous comments from anyone, and other systems require you to have an account with the specific blog system.
• Social networks like Ning allow "members" to create their own posts, alongside your posts. This gives the audience greater freedom to express their own opinions, under the realm of your content subject.
• A stream of "micro-content," like Twitter or Pownce, can be replied to by other Twitter or Pownce users, but not by non-users.

It all depends on how much freedom, and to what priority, you want to give your readers responses. If you're a "PhD" in your chosen content topic, you may have enough clout to disallow any form of feedback. However, most authors prefer some form of communication with their readers.

Personalization and data

How unique do you want your content stream to be?

• Do you want to use your own domain name?
• Would you prefer a custom design, or a template?
• Do you care if your "data" is maintained by you, or locked down in a third-party system?

Your choices

Based on your considerations from above, you should be able to choose one of these:

• Blog
• Social network
• Micro-blog
• Group or forum

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