Content distribution platforms writers need to know

You’ve written something you want to get in front of readers. Now what? If you don’t have any experience with content distribution, that is likely exactly what you’re asking yourself, “Now what?” You’ve devoted time and effort towards what you expect people want, maybe even need, to read. But how do you find an audience and what sort of magic do you need to weave to get it posted where they will see it? People have a passion project or possess expert knowledge that is just begging for an avid readership, but the process of disseminating content where people will read it can often elude even the most astute. Not anymore. 

Why Writers Need a Content Distribution Platform

A content distribution platform connects your content to your readership—it’s what bridges the proverbial gap between you and them. It’s that knowledge of where to distribute your content that is important for several reasons, especially in today's digital landscape where creating quality content is not enough to ensure its success. Here are some key reasons why you need a content distribution platform:

1. Reach your audience: A content distribution platform allows you to amplify the reach of your content. By distributing your content on the right channels, you can reach a broader audience as well as those that are especially interested in your niche. 
2. Increase visibility: With so much content being created and shared online every day, it's easy for your content to get lost in the noise. The latest estimates show that 328.77 terabytes of data are created every single day (this would be equivalent to watching about 21,500 hours of high-resolution CCTV video, according to one Quora user). A distribution platform helps increase the visibility of your content by ensuring it reaches the right people at the right time through targeted distribution channels.
3. Drive traffic to your digital home: If at any point you want to host your own writing or build a personal brand, content distribution platforms can drive traffic back to your website or blog.
4. Build authority: Consistently distributing valuable and relevant content can help establish your brand as an authority in your industry or niche. Over time, you’ll build trust and be viewed as an expert in that domain (if you aren’t already).
5. Gain insights: Content distribution platforms often come with built-in analytics and reporting tools that provide valuable insights into how your content is performing. By analyzing metrics, you can figure out where your success lies and modify your content distribution strategy for better results.
6. Save time and resources: Managing content distribution manually across multiple channels can be time-consuming and resource intensive. A content distribution platform automates many of these tasks, allowing you to focus on creating high-quality content (and you will need high-quality content with an authentic voice if you hope to find your engaged audience). 

The Top Content Distribution Platforms for Writers in 2024

Content distribution. It literally boils down to “getting your content out there,” which can be accomplished in many different ways. In the days of yore (you know, the ones before everything we did was based in the deep recesses of never-ending digital hallways), you contacted a publisher or publication of choice and they took it from there. Now, you can reach an entire world of readers with the limitless power of the internet, but the conundrum is, how do you find your audience? Here are some of the different types of content distribution platforms.

Blogging platforms and websites 

Blogging platforms and websites provide a home for your content. With tools to manage readership and optimize for search, this would be a place to house all of your content under one roof. 

• Medium: Medium is a platform that matches readers to their interests. It can be helpful for finding an audience and driving traffic to your site. 
• WordPress: Wordpress can host your content and is optimal for building a brand and gaining insight. 
• Blogger: Blogger is a dedicated blogging site which helps you increase visibility and reach your audience. 
• Contently: A place to create a portfolio and put all your content in a single place, Contently helps you save time, drive traffic to your site, and increase visibility across your content.
• Squarespace: A website creator, Squarespace lets any beginner create a customized home for content which can help you to build authority and gain insights.
• Wix: A similar tool, Wix is a drag-and-drop tool for building a website which is great for brand building and tracking metrics. 

Social media platforms

Social media remains a dominating force in content distribution because users are constantly creating and sharing content they enjoy. Even with all the hype around SEO, this is where authenticity plays a key role. Writing for search algorithms may give you views, but it doesn’t resonate with readers the way authentic content does. Start out by sharing your content with others on the following platforms. (All of the following are free, but include paid features for advertising.)

• Meta: Great for lifestyle subject matter, such as fitness, parenting, or healthcare. 
• X: Good for trending topics. 
• Instagram: Used mostly by influencers and is best for lifestyle topics, such as travel and personal care. 
• LinkedIn: Useful for professional content.

Content aggregators

Content aggregators allow users to discover and share content based on interests. They include:

• Reddit: A free service, Reddit has content organized by categories. It can be useful for building authority and finding new audiences. 
• Feedly: This platform allows readers to easily filter by topic to find subjects of interest. It’s good for building authority and finding your readers. 
• Flipboard: Flipboard sorts content into curated magazines based on users’ topic selections and is great for finding audiences.
• Pocket: Pocket puts content into categories and lets readers store topics of interest. It’s helpful for driving traffic to your home and gaining visibility. 

Email newsletters

Know anybody without an email account that’s over the age of 15? Me either. For that reason, an email newsletter can be an ideal way to disseminate your content. Try these tools.

• ‍Mailchimp: With free and paid options, Mailchimp is an email marketing platform that allows you to put together custom emails which helps increase visibility and drive traffic to your site. ‍
• Substack: Substack is a content creation tool that lets you publish to various places, such as the web, email, or social. It’s great for driving traffic, building authority, gaining insight, and saving time.
• ‍ConvertKit: A platform designed to help content creators target their audiences, ConvertKit is great for gaining visibility and tracking metrics.
• ‍Flodesk: A relatively new email tool, Flodesk provides a host of newsletter tools with plenty of options for customization, making it a good choice for reaching your audience, tracking success, and building authority.

Content syndication networks

Content syndication takes your content and republishes it on third-party sites that cater to readers of your particular niche which can be just what you need to reach the right audience, especially if you write very targeted content. Try these platforms:

• ‍Newstex: The go-to platform for thought leaders, Newstex distributes your content across a global network of leading digital libraries such as LexisNexis, Moody's NewsEdge, Refinitiv, and Thomson Reuters Westlaw, allowing you to reach diverse academic, corporate, and government audiences. Great for reaching audiences and building authority. ‍
• Taboola: A tool that integrates your content with the host’s content which is great for reaching more audiences and building authority. ‍
• Quora: Quora provides information as answers to questions, which can be an ideal tool to driving traffic to your website and building authority. 

Reformatting Writing into Other Formats 

Although the next two categories aren’t technically dedicated to writers, we thought it useful to share them anyway. At some point, you may begin to feel as though you have saturated your audience. In that case, you may need to experiment with new mediums, such as videos or podcasts, for your next project. 

Video-sharing platforms

For writers, video-sharing can spark the interest of an entirely new set of readers. If you have a topic that would benefit from a video format, try the following platforms.

• ‍YouTube: The original go-to tool for video content, which is perfect for audience building and tracking your videos. ‍
• Vimeo: A little more advanced, Vimeo is primarily used for businesses who want to share professional and polished videos. This tool is great for those who are looking to build authority and get access to more advanced analytics.
• ‍Twitch: Twitch is a platform with more of a gaming or entertainment focus. It is good for audience building and driving traffic back home.
• ‍Wistia: Wistia provides video creation and marketing tools all in one place. It’s great for building authority and tracking your success.

Podcast platforms

Podcasting is another way to spin up a spellbinding tale while finding eager listeners. Writers can leverage the potential of a fast-paced audience who loves content, but maybe doesn’t have the flexibility to absorb it in written form. If you’ve got compelling content, consider the following podcast platforms.

• Spotify (free): Spotify is a popular podcast platform that provides plenty of creator tools and helps you find new audiences and track performance.
•  Podbean (free): Podbean provides multiple tools for podcast creators and provides options such as bulk upload and audience engagement to help you gain insights and save time and resources. 
• Captivate (free): Captivate offers great marketing tools and monetization options, so this may be a good solution for those who want to attract a new audience with paid subscriptions. 
• Google Podcasts (free): With Google’s powerful analytics tools, Google Podcasts is a great platform for those who want granular insights while reaching a broader audience. 
•  Apple Podcasts (paid): Offering a variety of creator tools, Apple Podcasts has a wide range of listeners and can help you easily market to our audience, but it does charge a subscription fee for creators.

Content distribution platforms are essential tools for writers seeking to connect with their target audience and achieve their goals. By strategically leveraging a combination of blogging platforms, social media, content aggregators, email newsletters, and content syndication networks, writers can amplify their reach, build their authority, and find the readers who will appreciate their work the most.

However, success in content distribution requires experimentation, adaptability, and a willingness to develop a sustainable plan that aligns with one's unique goals and resources. If you're a writer looking to take your content to the next level, now is the time to assess your current efforts and start implementing effective strategies. By staying authentic, engaging, and committed to your craft, you can successfully navigate the ever-evolving world of content distribution and build a thriving community of readers eager to connect with your work.

‍