Tumblr has become the Internet’s blog darling, with more than 60 million accounts worldwide. Its users are also highly engaged and eager to interact with compelling content, so it’s no wonder why major brands have flocked to the platform. As a small business owner, those facts might persuade you to quickly switch over, too.
But before hopping on yet another platform, there are a few things to consider, especially if you’re already running an established blog elsewhere.
First of all, platform adoption depends on your initial goal: Are you looking for engagement, awareness and advocacy? How heavily would you rely on Tumblr as a business? Is it an integral source of revenue or data, or more of a place to communicate and engage?
We’ve broken down a few advantages to Tumblr from a brand’s perspective. Are you already on Tumblr? What advice do you have for someone considering the platform? Share your tips in the comments.
1. User-Friendly
For any people new to the blogging world, Tumblr is advantageous because it’s so user-friendly. All of the features are apparent in the dashboard, which makes it simple to navigate. You don’t have to fuss around with too many clicks to get to where you want to go, and very little tweaking needs to be made if you’re interested in a custom Tumblr design. Plus, the sleek mobile app means you can update your blog on the fly.
Tumblr designs are more aesthetic than a lot of other blogging platforms, but there are also plenty of pre-packaged themes to choose from — many look less like a blog and more like your own website. Because most are free, Tumblr is a great platform for anyone who can’t afford to hire a designer or developer. If you are looking for a custom Tumblr design, then you may want to call in the professionals.
2. What Social Should Be
Given that people may be searching the term “Tumblr” on Google more than the word “blog” by the end of 2012, it’s safe to say that popularity is one major advantage for brands.
Tumblr is naturally more social than most blog platforms, and its audience is highly engaged — they will not be shy about interacting with your brand, as long as you provide them with captivating content.
That being said, keep in mind that Tumblr users want to see your brand’s personality. This is nice for many companies because it allows them to be more creative, but can be a challenge for others who aren’t used to thinking outside of the box. If your company is interested in producing interesting content that engages users and doesn’t adhere to the formality of most corporate blogs, then Tumblr is the place for you. In fact, some of the best examples of branded accounts are the ones that break the more corporate mold.
For example, Internet Explorer’s Tumblr has a nontraditional sense of humor, claiming to be the “browser you loved to hate.” Yet, the page is still informational, and it engages the audience by pulling tweets from users who are reluctant to claim approval of the new browser.
3. Categories Galore
Tumblr’s tag system is categorized into several popular topics: art, tech, education, fashion and advertising, among others.
Depending on what your company does, there’s already a community that’s been filtered. This navigates brands to the right audience, saving time and energy when you want to build a following.
So, let’s say you run a small advertising firm. There’s an “Advertising” tag that’s curated by community managers, and it’s easily accessible and available for you to neatly categorize your blog to target the right audience. There’s no vacuum and no mystery; viewers who are interested in advertising will come to you.
The tag system is useful for brands because if used properly, their content has a chance to be showcased. Plus, if you’re feeling uninspired, the tag dashboard becomes tailored to your area of interest, so you always have relevant content to pull from.
You can read this full article on mashable.com.