Being social online today is a very content based endeavor. There are several platforms that can help you get content out there, and you can then share the content on various additional platforms. Here’s some of the best platforms in use today, and a quick rundown of how much activity you should be doing on each one.

WordPress

This is THE blog network to use, and you can write all sorts of content to further y9our cause. Expect to need several blog posts per week (one per day would be great. Average time commitment: 3-5 hours per week.

Squidoo and Hub Pages

Squidoo and Hub Pages are two similar platforms that allow sophisticated informational pages on your industry or niche to be created using text, images and video (client provided visual media). These pages create high quality links back to the main website and blog to boost their rankings as well as providing additional locations on the web to establish an expert reputation. Both platforms integrate easily with social sharing networks (posts to focus on target audiences). 1 new page created per week, each. (8 pages per month total) (projected 1 hour per page creation).

Pinterest

Pinterest is a highly visual platform that uses images “pinned” to various “boards” to build a following and share information in an appealing format. Images of source from brochures, training manuals, workplace images with consent of those pictured, and any other client owned visual media can be used to build interesting Pinterest boards as well as images and video from the web (with credit to the source). 1 new board per week, at least 6-8 pins (4 boards per month total)
(projected 1 hour per board creation)

Facebook and Twitter and Google +

These are the three most trafficked and popular social sharing sites. Every piece of content created on every platform  (Blog, Squidoo, Hub Pages, Pinterest) should be promoted, with an equal number of posts having to do with mildly related but not promotional topics.  You can also  increase the reach of everything you do by sharing with your followers, who in turn share with theirs, creating a huge network of viewers. Start by building networks up (followers/fans/circles) for first 2 months and promoting up to 30-40 pieces of content PLUS approx the same amount of non-promotional content as filler (projected 30 minutes per weekday = average 10 hours a month; for the first two months, an additional 3-4 hours per month spent building the networks/audience).

Digg, StumbleUpon, Blink, Reddit

These are four of the most engaging social bookmarking sites. Posting links to published content on these and encouraging others to up-vote them provides high quality links back to the content as well as potential traffic from interested users. Followings can be built in relevant categories to attract viewers. Each piece of content promoted on the 4 platforms and voting encouraged from all networks. Also non-promotional material posts to keep accounts open and not blocked for pure self promotion (estimated 20 minutes of work per weekday = average 7 hours of work per month).

Using these networks can help you build your brand and be social in a content fueled way!