In blogging the #1 rule is Create Great Content #2 is Create Pinnable Images and #3 is Make Your Content Easy to Share. When I visit a site and read a post that I want to share I want to be able to click a button, write a brief comment and hit send. I like helping you amplify your awesome content, just like I hope you will help amplify mine. The easiest way to help your readers share your content is by using social sharing buttons.

Some of your Social Sharing Options

There are tons of different social sharing options available for both WordPress and Blogger blogs. Of course, WordPress has more options and IMHO you should first get off of Blogger and move to WordPress with the Total Blogger to WordPress Transfer Package, but that is also another blog post.

WordPress and Blogger Social Sharing Options

ShareThis is a very easy to configure and add to your site social sharing option. As you can see in the above picture, you have multiple choices as to how you want the buttons to look on your site. If you want to show the numbers or not is totally personal preference but I have read studies that show that, posts with large sharing numbers tend to get shared even more because the numbers give it more validity as an important post.

AddThis offers 4 styles of social sharing buttons for Blogger and WordPress blogs. WordPress users just need to download and configure the AddThis plugin.

Shareaholic is a very popular social sharing tool as of late with their signature “sharing is caring” tag to help encourage readers to share your content.

WordPress Only Social Sharing Options

Recently I changed my social sharing buttons to Digg Digg. I figure if it is good enough for Mashable it is good enough for me, right? Actually, I like the floating bar on the side of each post and having the buttons on the bottom of the post as well. I have tested button location and for me, side and bottom get more clicks than top but your blog and readers may respond differently.

Simple Share is another easy to configure WordPress social sharing plugin.

Jetpack is a powerful multi-faceted plugin for WordPress that can actually take the place of several of your other plugins. One of the many things Jetpack can do is add social sharing buttons to your posts. If you are on WordPress and you aren’t using Jetpack, I suggest you look into it.

Flare is the newest kid on the block and I like the way it looks. It is a bit more involved to install compared to the others I have listed here. If you are comfortable working in WordPress, more than just installing and configuring a plugin, then you should be able to install Flare to your site no problem.

These are just a few of the social sharing buttons available for WordPress and/or blogger. If none of these float your boat just Google Search “social sharing buttons for___” (insert your blogging platform) and you will find many more options available.

Which social media sites should I offer buttons for?

Unless you are a news site you don’t need to offer every social network known to man. I feel you need to offer the basic 5:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• G+
• StumbleUpon

I also like having Buffer as an option because if I am sharing a lot of posts I like to be able to schedule them so my stream doesn’t look spammy.

I hope you have found this post helpful. If you have, please use my social sharing buttons below to share it with your friends and followers :-).

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I have loved the “For Dummies” series for years because they are well written and organized. I have checked several of them out of the library to help me learn new skills. I couldn’t wait for Pnterest for Dummies to arrive and this book did not disappoint. Whether you don’t yet have a Pinterest account or you have 125 boards and several thousand pins I am sure there is something in this book for you. Kelby starts with the basics of how to set up your account-you need an invitation to get started. Please let me know if you need an invite, I’d be happy to send you one. Then she moves on to how to create boards, pinning and re-pinning and even how to socialize on Pinterest.

Once you feel comfortable with the basics of Pinterest you can figure out how to best organize your boards for planning an event, DIY project, family reunion or anything else that can be visually organized. There is an awesome looking Pinterest app for the iPhone but none for Android at this time. The Pinterest mobile site works ok for Android but isn’t as sleek as the iPhone app. At least we can all play on Pinterest while we stand in line at the grocery store

Kelby also includes important chapters on Pinterest etiquette and privacy. You don’t want to do anything to infringe on the original copyrights so make sure you are pinning correctly.

One of the chapters that I was eager to read was Chapter 10: Self-Promoting on Pinterest. As fun as Pinterest is, if I’m not drawing people to my blogs through my use of it, it really isn’t a good use of my time. I am still digesting this chapter and I’m sure I’ll re-read it several times, but I have learned a lot here and I’m sure you will too. The last two chapters are filled with examples of companies who are using Pinterest and a great resource of ten power pinners that you should be following.

Pinterest for Dummies is a great resource book and no matter where you are in your Pinterest obsession this book can help you. Mine currently lives on my desk so I can keep referring to it as I do more and more on Pinterest.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The giveaway is for US residents only. The giveaway ends at 12:01am on 6-16-12. Good Luck!

Disclosure: I received my copy of Pinterest for Dummies for the purpose of this review and giveaway. All opinions are 100% mine.

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2012 Blog Goals

• Finish the re-design-I need to get my header fixed and I accidentally deleted some important badges from my sidebar that I need to reconstruct
• Engage my readers-There are a lot of you out there, and for that I am very thankful. Unfortunately, very few of you respond or leave comments-unless I’m running a giveaway. Leaving meaningful comments on blog posts is how readers tip the author. When you interact with posts I write and topics I cover, I know you are interested too. I’d love to know what subjects in the realms of parenting, homeschooling, family entertainment and family travel you would like to know more about so please, leave a comment on this post letting me know.
• Crack the 1000 subscriber mark. I know it isn’t all about numbers, but I have been hovering in the mid-900s for a very long time.
• To complete the 2012 Blog Dare (I’m already behind-this is actually the post for January 1st!)
• To attend Blissdom, Reviewer’s Retreat, Type-A Parent Conference and BlogHer12. If you or your company would like to sponsor me you can check out my Sponsor Opps page.

Social Media Goals for 2012

Twitter: To be more active. My Twitter usage declined the second half of 2011.

Facebook: To get more conversations going on my Facebook page.

Google+: To learn the best way to use this tool and to set up a page for my blog.

LinkedIn: To learn how to use this more effectively.

Pinterest: To finally get my invitation so I can check this new hot spot out.

I am excited for another great year here in my corner of the blogosphere and I can’t wait to share it with you!

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Before heading to Type-A or any conference for that matter it is important to decide what topics are most important for you to learn at this specific conference. For me the technical aspects of blogging are my focus this year things like coding and traffic building. I will always be interested in monetization because this is something I have had no success at and other topics are things I can use not only for my websites but also for those I build for my clients.

Thursday is the Business Conference and last year this was my favorite day because I learned soooooo much! Friday are the Sessions for Type-A and then Saturday there is a monetization power session, the blogger town hall meeting and the closing keynote. I will be doing lots of learning but also a lot of networking. Type-A is a great conference to network at, especially at meal time. I have my dinner dates planned for Thurs-Sat, still not sure what I’ll be doing Wednesday night but that is ok too.

Are you headed to Type-A? Please find me, I want to meet you!! If you aren’t coming please follow the hashtag #typeacon on Twitter next Wednesday-Saturday because I know we will be tweeting from the sessions.

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This blog has changed and grown and morphed as I have grown and changed and more change is coming. I like change, usually. Change often means growth and new opportunities. During the next month you will see some changes around here. My header is getting an update to include the new name of this blog “MomMaven’s News, Views and Reviews” I think it better encompasses what this site has become. More about reviews, giveaways, family entertainment and I need a place to share my views on things going on in the world so that will have a home here too. I’ll also be changing the look of this blog, it needs a makeover

My travel posts, except for personal travel are moving to my new site TheMomMavenTravels.com. This site is still in its infancy but I would truly appreciate you stopping by and checking it out. Right now it mostly covers Florida travel info but I am working on branching out across the US and hopefully around the world.

I have also just purchased another domain, which I’m not going to share with you quite yet. I get lots of good pitches about products and services that aren’t a great fit for my family personally so I don’t cover them. I know that not all families have 2 teenage boys so I am adding a site that will include more items for families with kids of all ages. My hope is to expand it and bring on a few additional writers-in the future and cover all aspects of life with kids.

I am excited about what the future holds and I’m glad you’re with me on this journey!

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On March 21, 2011 I tuned in to the season 12 debut of Dancing With the Stars and…as I always do I opened up Tweetdeck so I could chat with other #dwts fans in our supportive and often snarky fashion. This is when I found out Rene was a big fan too and we enjoyed tweeting about the show together.

Last night, episode 2 we joined our fellow #dwts fans and Rene tweeted “OKay, I MUST do this show and I MUST be partnered with Maks and I MUST do a dance where I get to lock lips with him at the end. I will not die happy until that happens. #wishfulthinking“.

So I tweeted “@abc_dwts We want @ReneSyler on next season with @MaksimC as her partner!” which Rene and others then retweeted. So then a plan began to hatch in my slightly warped brain…why not start a social media campaign? It might work, right so I tweeted, “@ReneSyler Hmmm I’m thinking our pitch to get you on @abc_dwtscould be tomorrow’s blog post with a linky petition! Thoughts?” Her reply was, “@MomMaven GO FOR IT!” So here we are. Rene is a celebrity and she has an important message to share about breast cancer and re-invention. She is beautiful inside and out and she has a wonderful personality. Being on Dancing With the Stars would be another step in her re-invention journey and it could be a step back into the public eye for the new and improved Rene Syler.

If you have never heard of Rene Syler check out her website GoodEnoughMother.com, search for her on YouTube there are lots of videos of her interviews, or ask anyone who went to Disney Social Media Moms, just use the #disneysmmoms and I’m sure you’ll get a positive response. I fell in love with Rene Syler on 3/18/11 and you will fall in love with her too! We figure, social media got Betty White on SNL, why can’t it get Rene on DWTS? If you agree please sign the linky below with your first and last name and then link to your twitter account, facebook page or blog. Please re-tweet, facebook, email and even blog about this post. We want ABC to hear us!

Dear ABC Television,
We Want Rene Syler on Dancing With the Stars Season 12! She is a celebrity with a message, a personality and inner and outer beauty. She is also a passionate fan of the show and would be an excellent fit for your cast.
Sincerely,
Cindy Schultz and the undersigned

Disclaimer: I wasn’t asked to write this post and I received nothing for writing this post (though if we get her on the show I’d have the satisfaction of a job well done!).

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• Be yourself. You can aspire to be a better you but don’t try to be someone else.
• It is ok to say “no” to an opportunity that doesn’t fit your blog. Better yet, if you know someone who is a good fit, share their contact info with the PR person who contacted you. Your bloggy friend and the PR company with be thankful.
• Lead with your heart, not you bank account…or lack thereof. I spoke with a few people who felt they had “sold out” to filling their blogs with paid posts that didn’t fit them or their blog just to make a few bucks.
• There is an AMAZING community of mom bloggers out there and it is a wonderful thing to get to know them in real life!
• Don’t be shy, introduce yourself to new people-you never know who you might meet.
• If you do something well, you deserve to be paid for it. What is your time and expertise worth?
• There are some great companies out there who understand social media…there are a lot more we still need to educate.
• The companies that “get it” aren’t just looking for numbers they are looking for engagement. They don’t care if you have 1000 readers if those readers only leave comments on giveaway posts. **Ahem** ask questions and get them involved.

Did you Attend Type-A Mom? Do you have anything to add to this list? Leave me a comment and let me know what you took away from that enlightening conference.

I also want to thank HotelsCombined.com for sponsoring my conference pass. without their help I would not have been able to attend the conference.

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How much money do I need for food and what restaurants are in walking distance for the meals that aren’t included in the conference? During the 3 days of the conference dinner is not included. There are several restaurants in walking distance of the Asheville Renaissance hotel and if you drink water like I do your dinner with tip will cost around $20.00 per night. On a side note, I recommend eating at Pack’s Tavern I ate there twice last weekend and their food was delicious and affordable. The photo is what was left after eating some of the best baby back ribs ever!

What to wear? Do I need dressy clothes for the evening events? Where what you are comfy in. Jeans, capris, skirts whatever works for you. The evening receptions were not dressy either so you don’t need special outfits for them, save the room in your suitcase for the stuff you’ll be bringing home.

What do I need to bring? laptop, business cards, notebook, pens…what else? The what else would be…a smile, a camera and a smartphone. I did bring all of those things, though I desperately need a new camera…any recommendations on an affordable DSLR? Also, I’d like to add What should I leave home? Leave home your shyness and insecurities. I’m not usually good at meeting new people but I did a lot of that at Type-A. On Saturday night I went to dinner with 3 people I met that day…none of whom I was even following on Twitter…but I am now.

If I can’t find a ride to and from the airport…what is that going to cost me? $40 each way! I know that is ridiculous but it is what it is. I was fortunate to have a friend, Jerri Ann, who was on my flight into Asheville and she had a rental car included in her flight package so I was able to ride with her and Connie to and from the airport and it only cost me 1/2 of the fuel costs or a total of $3.00!

Conference newbies should not be afraid of Type-A Mom. I feel it was a great introduction into the world of mom blogger conferences. I’ll definitely be back next year.

Thanks to HotelsCombined.com without their help, I would not have been able to attend this conference. If you are in need of accommodations anywhere in the world check out their search features first!

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The Sessions were wonderful and very informative. I learned so much from Sarah Pinnix, Maria Bailey, Ang England, David Griner and others that it will forever change how I write, what I write and how I interact with the blogging community. Friday’s business track was worth the price of the entire weekend and if you are blogging as a business you MUST add this day to your conference pass.

The people is was able to meet were awesome! Type-A is big enough…yet small enough. I was able to meet and actually spend time talking with tons of people. Many were people I knew from Twitter but several were people I honestly had never heard of before and I am glad I can now call them friends. The picture is from our Sunday night dinner at Fiores Italian Restaurant.

The Parties honestly I am not a party girl, I don’t drink but I like to have fun. The evening parties/receptions were the one thing that disappointed me at Type-A. I know it can be expensive to throw a party and the first two parties had sponsors that covered the alcohol but the appetizers and music were seriously lacking. The appetizers weren’t a big deal to me because I went out to eat each night so I wasn’t that hungry but I will say the food combinations were a bit odd to me and lacking in flavor. The music and sound system were just sad. Even at the 80’s party you could really only hear the music if you were at the front of the room and then the music was coming from YouTube videos! Maybe it is because we own an audio company and we rent out sound systems and run sound for events all the time but I expected more from the evening parties…we had more fun in the bar after the parties officially ended!

The Location was nice. The Asheville Renaissance is a nice hotel, and just the right size for Type-A Mom Conference. I stay in a lot of hotels though and I feel the rooms were over priced for the accommodations. The only mirror that is not on the bathroom wall is on the back of the closet door with no electrical outlets nearby so it is virtually impossible for 2 women to get ready at the same time. Our shower curtain was torn in two places at the bottom and there was rust stains on the floor around the toilet. Our housekeeper didn’t seem to like how my room mate, Karon Warren and I put our things on separate sides of the bathroom counter because every day she’d come in to clean and mix all of our stuff together! The city of Asheville is beautiful, this Florida girl just wishes the conference was held a week or two later so I could have experienced Fall for the first time in 9 years! Oh well, now I just need to visit again-with my family.

Kelby did a great job bringing in top-notch speakers and panels. It was great to be able to meet with some of the sponsors and connect withe the brands that were represented. I hope you can attend Type-A Mom Conference next year. I know I will be back.

Did you go to the conference? Please link your wrap-up post in the comments I love reading what everyone else though of this great event.

Thanks to HotelsCombined.com without their help, I would not have been able to attend this conference. If you are in need of accommodations anywhere in the world check out their search features first!

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