Blogging seems to be a constantly moving target. Every time you feel like you have finally mastered a part of the process, a Google alert or email announces some new change that completely changes at least a portion of the blogging experience. All these constant changes mean you sometimes need relevant help, and that’s why I chose to upgrade Crowdfire.

You do not have to upgrade Crowdfire to get access to their great tool. In fact, most everything is available to you on the free version, though there are some restrictions as to the number of actions per day. The free option is a great way to test out the app and see if it’s best for you.

Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I will receive a small commission, at no additional cost to you. These commissions help keep the blog up and running.

What Is CrowdFire?

The short answer is that Crowdfire is the best way to manage your social media accounts and the content you share. It is constantly improving and will help you manage sharing for platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and more. In addition to content options, with Twitter, you can also monitor and increase your followers through smart suggestions. More on this in the Twitter section.

Most of all, it is a time saver. If you regularly read my blog, you know how much I enjoy being on Twitter. However, that meant I was spending hours each week following or unfollowing users and posting or scheduling quality content. Thanks to this time-saver, I now spend my time on Twitter interacting with other Tweeters posts and don’t worry so much about my followers as Crowdfire has that handled for me.

9 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade CrowdFire

While Crowdfire has an excellent free option with lots of helpful tools, the remainder of this article will concentrate on the reasons why you should consider upgrading.

1. How Does It Help With Twitter?

Twitter is the number one reason why I chose to upgrade Crowdfire. With the app, you have the ability to schedule great content, monitor your followers, and see which accounts have stopped following you. Additionally, you can set keywords and specific Twitter users to follow, and the program will give you smart suggestions on which accounts you should follow and which posts you should like.

I will admit, I do not follow their prescription for growth every day, and if I did my results would be even better. However, in just the last 30 days, following their advice many days in the month has resulted in a net growth of over 1000 new followers. These seem to be quality followers as I notice each week that the number of unfollowers seems to be dropping.

2. How Does It Help With Facebook?

Due to Facebook rules, Crowdfire cannot post directly to a personal profile at this time. That said, it can and does a wonderful job of posting to Facebook pages. That means, if you have an author page, you can make sure that you are posting quality and relevant content on a regular basis.

Before I chose to upgrade Crowdfire, I have to admit that there were times my author page was being neglected. That is no longer the case, and my page engagements have gone up dramatically as a result. It has become an integral part of my blogging journey.

You can learn more about my blogging journey in the post, This and That.

3. How Does It Help With Pinterest?

Pinterest can be a fickle mistress, so she’s not always easy to work with or understand. However, Pinterest is a powerhouse when it comes to leading traffic to your site, so you want to make sure you are regular posting content links there.

Posting new pins to Pinterest has never been easier than it is with Crowdfire. In addition, if there’s great content you want to share on Twitter, you can also share it on Pinterest with just a click of a button. One post, multiple platforms, and with just one click.

4. How Does It Help With Instagram?

Instagram is sometimes frustrating to work with because of their requirement that you must post from a mobile device. If you are like me, you do most of your posting from a laptop or desktop computer.

Crowdfire makes this process as easy as possible. Set up the post from the desktop or smart app with all the pertinent images, text, and tags you want. Then, when the time is right, Crowdfire will remind you that it’s time to post, and that picture and text are added in just a couple quick clicks.

Personally, I schedule a week’s worth of Instagram pictures this way. Then, when posting time comes, it takes about five seconds to make the post live.

5. What Other Platforms Work With CrowdFire?

More than just the four platforms listed above, this standout app also works with LinkedIn, WordPress, YouTube, Blogger, Shopify, Etsy, Twitch, Vimeo, and 500PX. Best yet, new improvements are being made all the time. Is there a platform that you don’t see but would like to use? Simply send an email to the developers and they’ll let you know whether it is in the works.

6. How Many Accounts Per Platform?

It ultimately depends on the plan you pick when you upgrade Crowdfire. To get a feel for the software, sign up for free and then add one social media account per platform. Later, you can review which plan you want to upgrade to, and each plan determines the number of accounts per platform.

7. What About Sharing Content From Other Sites?

Sharing content should be one of the top reasons why you would want to upgrade Crowdfire. It does everything it can to make that sharing easier. Not only does is suggest relevant and worthwhile content, it also recommends articles that people you follow are sharing in their feeds.

Better yet, the system is smart and learns with you. Is there a site you don’t want to share from? That’s fine. There is a block option and you will never see content from that site again. You can also set keywords and topics that you want to follow so that the suggestions in the app are even more useful.

Book Review: Contained by S. L. Harpel

8. How Much Time Does It Take?

As was stated earlier, Crowdfire is a huge time saver. By using the app from your phone, you can manage your new content and followers in as little as 10 minutes per day. For me, this freed up hours each week that I was spending making sure I was following back relevant new followers and cleaning out accounts that had been suspended or closed by Twitter.

9. How Can It Be Accessed?

Everything on Crowdfire can be accessed through both their website and their stellar smartphone application. In fact, the app is probably faster and easier to use. Many days I handle all of my content requirements before I even get out of bed. That’s how fast you can do things with Crowdfire.

With the app, you also have the ability to update and add content from anywhere. Are you reading a great news article that your followers would enjoy? Great. Click “Share” and then select the Crowdfire app. Choose which platforms you want to share the article on and click “Post.” That’s it. You’re done, and it only took about five seconds to share on all your social media accounts.

Wrap Up

In conclusion, there are many great reasons to upgrade Crowdfire. If you are looking for an excellent way to continue sharing great content and yet free up a lot of your time, you want to consider this app.

Remember, there is a free version of the product that you can try without obligation. That way you can test out all the great features before making any type of investment. However, with the annual plan, that investment is as little as $4.99/month, and that’s less than some cups of coffee.

Really, upgrading is a no-brainer. Try out Crowdfire today.

It was a wonderful surprise to sign on to Twitter a few days ago and see I was nominated for The Versatile Blogger Award by the lovely and talented blogger behind the Searching For Humor Blog.

Now, let me start by saying I don’t understand these blog awards. I have seen several variations in my last eight months of actively pursuing blogging. Though there are lots of nominations, it doesn’t seem to ever lead to a grand prize winner. Instead, at least to me, it seems a lot like those chain letters we sometimes did in school.

For you millennials, once upon a time, long before everyone had a cell phone in their pocket (and dinosaurs still roamed the earth), young people actually wrote things down on paper. Then that paper was folded into some crazy shape (the triangular football was my go-to). Those notes were then secretly passed in class or handed off to a friend in the hallway between classes.

Some of those notes were chain letters of sort. You had to rewrite the top of the letter exactly as it was, but the lower half, you had to answer questions about yourself. Some questions were silly and some embarrassing, but it was all about fun, so everyone did it.

This format reminds me very much of those paper notes. So, while I may not participate in every blogger award, since this is my first, and I’m feeling more than a little nostalgic, here goes.

The Versatile Blogger Award

The rules for the versatile blogger award:

• Thank the person who nominated you with a link to their blog.
• Share 7 things about yourself.
• Nominate bloggers for the award.

Thank you, India!

No, I’m kidding, but now that song will be stuck in my head.

I mean thank you, Searching For Humor Blog! It means a great deal that you think enough of my blog and me to nominate me for this fun prize.

If you have never visited Searching For Humor Blog, head on over now and check it out. The blogger writes funny and entertaining stories that revolve around her visiting places that were featured in books she read. Every post is a treat, so be sure to bookmark or follow her page so you can stay up to date.

7 Things About Me

So, this one is a little tricky for me. I just put up an About Page only a few days ago that has 10 things about me, but let’s see. Maybe I can come up with seven more.

1. I have a serious weakness for Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Yes, hello, my name is Wolfe Butler, and I am a Krispy Kreme-aholic. Addict? Not sure.

In any case, if I am any where near a Krispy Kreme shop and that big, red “Hot!” sign is on, lookout. I may have been known to eat an entire dozen in one sitting. Maybe. I mean, how can you not. They literally melt in your mouth, so it’s barely like eating anything. Just don’t tell my doctor.

2. I’m a serious sci-fi geek.

It doesn’t matter whether books, TV shows, or movies, I love science fiction. From Star Wars to Star Trek and all the Stargates, Babylon 5, and Andromeda, etc. in the middle. I love it all.

For books, I’m a huge fan of Michael Crichton. I’ve read all but a few of his books, including the non-sci-fi ones.

For TV, my favorites right now are probably Dark Matter, The Orville, and all the Netflix and CW superhero shows, especially The Flash and Supergirl. How can you not love Melissa Benoist? She’s cute as can be and sings like an angel. If only they would let her sing more often on the show.

3. I used to call my wife, “Buddha.”

Now, before any of you ladies get upset with me, it had nothing to do with her size or shape. Instead, it was a silly conversation we had late one night about how we were the gods or our dreams, and how in dreams, you can make almost anything happen. I think she was the one that said if she was a god she would be Buddha.

However, after a friend got offended when I said it in public, because she did not know the backstory, I stopped. From then on, I called my wife Lizzy, in honor of Elizabeth Bennett, the star of my wife’s favorite book. (I’m not offended that I was not her favorite author.) My dear wife was named Laramie Elizabeth, so it wasn’t completely without merit.

4. Once upon a time, I was a stamp collector.

It was a hobby I did with my maternal grandmother. She passed when I was fairly young, so I inherited her collection. Sadly, I never really did anything with it after that time. The whole collection now sits neatly boxed on one of my book shelves.

5. I’m a horrible public speaker.

If you need something written, I’m your man. I’m not a master by any means, but I can string written words together fairly well.

Stand me in front of a group of people, and suddenly, I can barely speak my own name. It is so bad that my wife actually banned me from public speaking. For that reason, it is good I took the indie author route, because there’s less chances to speak when you don’t have a publishing house behind you.

6. I did everything wrong in publishing my debut novel.

Two weeks ago, I broke down and hired a professional editor. (More on this in a future post.) Even though I promised myself I would walk away from Getting Home, I am back in the depths of it. I am disgusted with all the gaping holes and punctuation errors I am finding.

If you have not read it yet, DON’T! Please give me a couple of months to get the revision complete. Then it will be republished with both a new cover and new chapters and will hopefully be a respectable offering to the indie community.

7. My favorite color is periwinkle.

Okay, so no making fun of me. For years, I told everyone that my favorite color was black. Indeed, before I married, nearly all my clothes were black or white. My dear Laramie changed that and insisted I pick a “real color.” Nothing so “boring as a primary color” was allowed.

The short list came down to coral and periwinkle. Since I look yellow in coral shirts, my wife helped me see the wisdom of periwinkle. The ironic thing is, I don’t own a single article of clothing in that color, but my bedroom is painted periwinkle. If my wife was still here, she would love it.

And The Nominees Are:

Next, I need to nominate some great bloggers. Please bear with me. This was a difficult choice. On top of there being so many wonderful blogs to choose from, many of my favorites have recently been nominated for the same or a similar award.

Here is my list. Out of fairness to everyone, blogs are listed in alphabetical order by blog name.

Author Taylor MacNeill

Taylor is an author and blogger. Last I heard from her, she is currently revising her novel, The Darkest Side of the Moon, but the first edition can be purchased in the interim. Visit her blog or follow her on Twitter to learn more. She’s a great Twitter friend as well.

Beckie’s Mental Mess

Beckie posts creative writing and life experience posts while also working to help promote mental health awareness. Her posts are authentic and entertaining. Be sure to visit her.

Caron Allan Fiction

If you are a regular reader of my blog, you know that Caron is my number one fan, or at least I keep telling her that she is. She has been extremely supportive and helpful in my blogging journey.

She writes blog posts that make me chuckle and has six mysteries available on Amazon. Criss Cross: Friendship can be murder is currently free for the Kindle version. Once you read one of her novels, you will want to read them all. Caron is also an awesome Twitter friend to have, so be sure to follow her.

Dave’s Draw

Dave’s Draw is a blog I just stumbled upon a few days ago, but I am very impressed so far. The posts I’ve read so far are light, smart, and full of good information. Be sure to go visit and check it out.

R. A. Allen Author

R. A. Allen writes a lot about writing. I am always fascinated on her unique take to various writing endeavors and techniques. Many of her posts are related to mind mapping. Visit her page to learn more.

The Past Due Review

I’ve been following The Past Due Review for about a month. What I love about this site is the nostalgia. Rather than write about the newest movies and books, this blogger chooses to concentrate on topics from years gone by. The most recent post is about The Sandlot, which was released in 1993. For a trip down memory lane, be sure to stop by this blog.

Waking Up on the Wrong Side of 50

Finishing off today’s list is Waking Up on the Wrong Side of 50. The blogger takes a very eclectic approach and shares much about her own life, her triumphs, and challenges. Every post is enjoyable, so be sure to visit soon.

Wrapping Up

I want to be sure to thank Searching For Humor Blog for thinking of me when it came to nominating fellow bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award. Though I may not participate again, it was fun to write this blog and I am honored that you thought enough of me to include me in your list.

I also want to thank you, my dear readers. Your visits and comments bring so much light and joy into my world. I appreciate each and every one of you.

To any of my blogger friends that I did not list today, I apologize. I could have easily listed another 20 blogs or more, but I’ll save the remainder of that list for future posts. Please don’t give up on me.

Until next time…

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