Reading Roundup: What’s New in Blogging Lately

A big hello from ProBlogger HQ on Grand Final Day! So much footy to be had today (and tomorrow, for NRL fans!) and so much food to be eaten whilst watching. Ok, that’s probably just me (for the record, I’m making this).

A Quick Guide to Building a a Thriving Social Media Community // Social Media Today

Because without them, your blog isn’t likely to be read.

Twitter Will Reportedly Nix the 140 Character Limit with a New Product // Engadget

I’ve heard the rumours, but now it seems like it’s true: and I’m not sure how I feel about it! I definitely enjoyed the restriction of the limit, it not only made me think through better tweets, but also kept it easy to read through my feed. Details are slim at the moment, but the new product will help you expand your communiques on the platform.

IFTTT Recipes for Social Media Marketing // Social Media Examiner

For all y’all who are into shortcuts (you know I am!) you really should be using If This, Then That – this post has got great ideas about seeing what others are doing on the platform and creating similar recipes for your own success.

How Often Should I Post on Social Media? // Buffer

It’s a fine line between not enough and so much that people unfollow… have you found that line?

17 of the best WordPress Plugins for Marketers // Hubspot

Number 5! I totally need to do that. I’ve never done it once in five and a half years of blogging on my own blog.

Why Effective SEO Isn’t Simply About Creating Great Content // Search Engine Watch

“Build it and they will come?” – not in blogging! While great content is the foundation of anything you want to do online it isn’t enough to grab all the search engine traffic you could be.

Good Social Media Boosts SEO Even Though Nobody Understands How // Entrepreneur

Following straight on from being told content isn’t everything, this post was super interesting in seeing how else we can drive traffic to our blogs outside of creating great stuff. The bottom line: don’t separate social and SEO.

How to Drive Traffic with Instagram // Social Media Examiner

Some obvious stuff (put a link in bio, etc), but definitely a couple I hadn’t thought of.

Google Confirms the Real Time Penguin Algorithm is Coming Soon // Search Engine Land

The update that will refresh data in real time has inched further to being a reality – by the end of next year perhaps? I wonder how this will change things for bloggers and Google traffic…

Sorry, You’re Addicted to the Internet. Here’s Why // Mashable

A little explanation about how social media and the web in general are changing the way we think and act offline. Are you happy to be addicted? I know a few who are!

Stacey Roberts is the Managing Editor of ProBlogger.net: a writer, blogger, and full-time word nerd balancing it all with being a stay-at-home mum. She writes about all this and more at Veggie Mama. Chat with her on Twitter @veggie_mama or be entertained on Facebook.