Broadcasting my links and things I read

by Eric Friedman

I recently started using BufferApp both on my phone and my browser to syndicate content to my other networks.  I currently have the free account and have connected Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and App.net.  I also use Buffer on my phone to send content (but mainly through the email function).

Buffer is a web service that takes content from you or others, and syndicates it via a shortened URL across multiple services.  You can “buffer” content to be sent instantly, or scheduled for some time in the future.

It has been very handy for me as I come across great links to share, and quickly want a way to send them out.

My buffer flow is as follows;

1. find great content
2. open in mobile safari and email link to buffer app (modifying subject which is the words in the post)
3. check stats/rinse and repeat

I started using my own Bit.ly account to track better stats across content which has been eye opening to see how things perform.  I continue to predict content that will flourish and am constantly surprised at how things do.  Links that I think are great sometimes fall flat, while linke I think are “meh” seem to get lots of traction. Overall people seem to enjoy the content which is a net win.

For the first time ever I am pushing content to LinkedIn.  I have been on the service forever, but never thought to share links there because its just too cumbersome.  Now with Buffer I share everything – and am getting a decent response rate.  My content is limited to my LinkedIn network which is inversely impacting my overall reach.  I don’t want to optimize for reach in LinkedIn as it would grow the network beyond people that I know – but strangely sharing content their make it almost the point.  As someone once said about linkedin “its like Pokemon, you just need to collect them all” which is to say you may as well try to connect with the world.  Whats the downside?

I am also for the first time sharing content with App.net – which has been a virtual graveyard for me that I am trying to resurrect.  I don’t participate in the network other than sending info, but all communities need the initial seeds to grow.  I feel I can spend time there for a future time when its had time to grow.

My primary network of “attention” is Twitter and Facebook which continue to grow.  My engagement seems “good” but I don’t have a decent proxy for what to expect.

I am very interested in determining the virality of my links and ability to read things first vs. catching them later.  I no longer use a news reader (like google reader) which as any long time reader of my blog know is a big deal as I used to be fixated on reading all my feeds.

I love sharing this content and wonder if I can keep up my momentum – I would love to hear feedback either way if you are on the receiving end of my links.

Where do you share your content?