Widget for Dollars  You know investing in widgets can improve brand recognition and site traffic. So what's holding up execution? Well, you protest, I’m not very tech-savvy. Breaking news: widgets have evolved. Sites like Widgetbox.com, Dapper.net, Google Gadgets and Sprout.com make building them as easy as disseminating RSS feeds.
Dampen your toes at a site like Widgetbox, which automates the process. After registering, hit "Create widget" and decide what content you'd like to share. Plug in the content path, and watch your widget come to life. Share it with employees, e-newsletter subscribers, or on social networks. If users like it enough, they can post the widget on their sites with as much ease as embedding a YouTube video.
Still confused? Here's an extremely detailed how-to. Seriously though, before fretting, visit Widgetbox and look around. Chances are, you won't need a manual. Need inspiration? No worries. Here's how other firms have used widgets to drive brand love:
- To raise money for brain disease, UCSF worked with Clearspring to disseminate a Defeat Dementia widget, complete with videos, clinical research and a "Donate" button.
- The Washington Post uses widgets to address local concerns. Try its Apartment Locator, which helps apartment-seekers find homes close to metro stations of their choice!
- For Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist, Sony used Sprout as a vehicle for fans to build widget playlists, populated with tracks from the movie.
The Po!nt: Widgets work! Use widget-builders to help get your content on the road. They make it easy to broaden your horizons.
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