We all want to get our eyes on our content. One way to garner exposure and increase our reach is through content syndication. But what exactly is that? It’s a procedure that licenses your content, or parts, to be published on other platforms, which helps you to gain new audiences for your website/blog. From this, you’ll build a larger fan base, gain visibility, improve SEO, and allow for more widespread sharing of your content on social media.

Here’s a breakdown of how it works. 

How To Syndicate Your Content

Choose the Right Syndication Partner

Syndication isn’t about duplicate content; it’s about forming a relationship with a partner that will help push your content out to their audience, while providing a link back to your website. You’ll gain credibility and perhaps get inside an advertising network of sites and possibly share revenue. So, do your due diligence before you choose a syndication partner. Some examples of sites that do this well are SheKnows.com, StyleList.com, and BlogHer.com.

Know Your Audience and Niche

Part of choosing the right syndication partner is to understand who your audience is, and which niche you’re targeting. If you have a ‘how to use video in your business post’, don’t syndicate it on a food network and vice versa. Ensure that you choose a popular, legitimate, and well-run network, so that it will pay off for you in terms of increased traffic and revenue.

Legitimize Your Content Through Syndication Networks

There are syndication partners in every niche that accept applications for participation. One popular one is outbrain.com which is focused on finding great content for its audience. Disruptive explains that: ‘It works by opening the platform to both advertisers and publishers. Publishers monetize their content by allowing ads to appear on their site in designated areas, such as, the sidebar, below the content, within the content, or as a banner. When certain actions are taken (which are predetermined and can include a set number of impressions, clicks, or video views), the publisher receives financial compensation.’

Work on Your Content Strategy

To be accepted by legitimate syndication networks your content needs to be addressed to your audience, so be honest, avoid spamming, and look professional. Make your headlines compelling and outline the benefits for the reader, whether they choose to sign up for what you’re offering or buy your product or service. Further, know your goals so that you can choose the right network that will help you reach those goals. 

As you can tell, some of these syndication sites are advertising networks. By them recommending your content to others, you’ll also share in ad revenue that the network sells, based on having thousands of smaller sites banded together. This makes advertising sales more lucrative for even the small publisher.

There are, of course, free syndication sites, too, e.g., SlideShare.net, LinkedIn, Huffington Post, and Blogger, which are all popular. Then there’re advertisement-supported networks as mentioned earlier. Finally, there’re licensed syndication networks, such as Outbrain.

In the syndication world, traffic is currency. By showing that you get a good stream of traffic, you’ll have more leverage with the networks when you apply.

A little caveat, before joining, read the fine print to ensure that you never break the rules or contracts. 

© Cherry-Ann Carew

Cherry-Ann Carew is an Online Business Coach, who supports emerging business owners simplify their start-up journey and helps existing businesses scale to the next level so that they can earn uncapped income and live life on their terms.