I have developed a serious addiction to StumbleUpon. I got my first ‘taste’ through @playgroupie, who wrote a post a while back and suggested that StumbleUpon was one of few social media sites that she used regularly. Last week, she wrote a great post on using the site effectively.
Essentially, I started to use StumbleUpon as a way to remember my favorite posts. If you write something I like, I give it a thumbs-up and it enters my stumble stream. If I’m the first to discover this post, I give it a few tags. I now have a nice, neat, tagged list of all my favorite posts in one place.
Now, the better part – anyone who is stumbling, looking for posts like yours (searching via tags and account preferences) will see your post. Anyone who subscribes to my favorites will also see your post as they stumble.
Here’s the trouble. You really aren’t supposed to stumble your own posts. Once someone else gives it the thumbs-up, you can go ahead and do the same. Me? Ok, fine. I stumbled some of my own favorites before I knew the rules. They went through the roof. The first day I gave StumbleUpon a real try, my daily hit count was 3 times higher than my previous high. 3 times higher!! Who doesn’t love extra traffic? Some other bloggers’ posts that I stumbled? Same thing. I like seeing those numbers go up just as much.
You know what I also like…maybe even more? Finding new blogs. I subscribe to several bloggers’ favorite pages and get to see what posts they like. Feels kind of like spying, and I totally dig that!
Give it a try. See a post you like? Give it a thumbs-up. Want to read some new posts? Just hit Stumble! Beware. Stumbling is addictive. I click Stumble! more times than I want to admit. I love giving my favorite posts the thumbs-up. Are you on StumbleUpon? You should be! Find me there by clicking here.
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This was really interesting. I admit that I don’t use it effectively. Thanks to you, I’ll use it more!
blueviolet´s last blog ..What the Blog is Up with this Blog?
Great, just what I need! Another addiction. Thank you SO very much!
Nancy@ifevolutionworks.com´s last blog ..Re-re-decorating
I might have to check that out. This maternity leave thing is so going to backfire on me when I have to go back to work all addicted (even more) to social media!!
okay so REALLY dumb question. I have a stumbleupon referral in my stats, but I can’t for the life of me see it on the stumbleupon website or tell who stumbled it. Is there a way to find this? feeling dumb!
Jen´s last blog ..weekly winners, volume 33
There must me something very wrong with me because I CANNOT figure this stupid site out.
Perhaps it’s a good thing. Like I need another addiction.
Amanda´s last blog ..Meet Simon. He’s Super Cool
Nominated you for an award: http://movingonfromthedrama.blogspot.com/2009/11/lemonade-award.html
Amy´s last blog ..At Last – Through the Years of Our Love
Oh no, another reason to spend all my time on the internet?! Eventually I’ll have to give up sleep entirely. Or maybe food. No, probably not food. Sleep.
I never knew how to use this, so I am excited to read her post! Yay!
Sara @ Domestically Challenged´s last blog ..The Bird- part 2
This is great… I haven’t invested too much time in Stumbleupon, but I will now! Thanks!
Ry Sal´s last blog ..Bird Watcher Interview #1 – Amanda Miller
Okay, you know I tried Stumble a while ago and didn’t really get it, but you’ve totally inspired me to give it another go. Thanks!
Lady Mama´s last blog ..When companies masquerade as friends.
I can say until I read this post I knew NOTHING about it. I’m almost afraid to stumble! I have no more time!! LOL
Highly addictive. I couldn’t agree with you more. I actually “stumbled” here. Stumbling (especially if you have the toolbar) is channel surfing at it’s best. It’s quenches that “instant gratification” thirst we all have developed over the years. Plus, you really find some great blogs.
Roschelle´s last blog ..The Everything Blogging Book Contest Giveaway
This is my newest addiciton, too! Can’t wait to check out that post you linked.
Theta Mom´s last blog ..Welcome to the New Theta Mom…On WordPress!