Image via Wikipedia
What is it
Tumblr, sometimes styled as tumblr., is a microblogging platform that allows users to post text, images, videos, links, quotes and audio to their tumblelog, a short-form blog. Users can follow other users, or choose to make their tumblelog private. The service emphasizes ease of use ~Wikipedia
In my words
Tumblr is a somewhere you can post short bursts of content (just an image, just a video) very easily. It makes posting all kinds of content really user friendly; you can do it from your phone, by email, you can even post audio by calling it in on the phone!
You can also have it link to twitter and facebook (and toggle it on or off on a post by post basis).
Why should you care?
If you fall into one of the following categories:
- You want a blog (or think you’re supposed to have one?) but you don’t have a lot of time, or only have a variety of short content.
- Your content is more often not text based (videos, images, audio, etc)
- You are creating your content from a mobile device and want to get it online quickly (video and photos of events, things happening around town, etc)
- You want an online space for something that isn’t going to be long lived
then Tumblr. might make a lot more sense for you than creating a traditional blog.
Here are a few examples of how I think a Tumblr. site could be an effective (possibly business) tool:
- An artist who wants to post images of artwork but doesn’t really have anything else to say about the piece.
- An event could have a Tumblr. page and people could post photos and videos from the event from mobile phones as things are unfolding.
- You want to chronicle a specific project - like a 365 photography project or the creation of something, or you want to journal (and amplify) your dealings (and complaints) with a company.
- You want to have a user submitted interest page - maybe photos of Ottawa in the summer, photos of your favourite meals, pantry disasters or like this page by Ottawa Start about interesting and exotic cars in the Ottawa area you can easily set up a submit page . You can also let viewers ask questions to help guide your content.
I think Tumblr. isn’t really for people who are regular bloggers (I have one set up, but it’s more so I could try it out so I could talk about it than out of any specific need) but I could see possibly setting one up for an event, a fun contest or a sharing space with friends.
Have you tried Tumblr.? What do you think? Have you seen any other creative uses for a Tumblr. page?