| As publishing moves forward into the social realm, | | | | at this time, though Wattpad offers the |
| with Facebook and Twitter users sharing viral | | | | opportunity through a partnership with print on |
| data 24/7, those interested in attracting attention | | | | demand purveyor Wattpad also offers a mobile |
| should acknowledge their options with regards to | | | | version of their site, with an iPhone app. |
| document sharing. Whether your aim is to publish | | | | - Also founded in 2007, DocStoc allows users to |
| white papers relevant to your business, or to sell | | | | distribute free and paid content, and in addition will |
| a cookbook of family recipes, or even to share | | | | let you integrate your Google AdSense |
| you non-profit's newsletters, your involvement in | | | | information in your account. The more you upload |
| social media and social sharing can help boost | | | | to DocStoc, the better the opportunity for |
| visibility of your cause, and in turn increase | | | | earning commission via your AdSense. DocStoc is |
| business and/or donations. | | | | geared mainly toward professional documents and |
| Let's take a look at some of the more popular | | | | non-fiction, novels and templates and PowerPoints |
| document sharing sites and how their functionality | | | | are also found here. For companies, DocStoc |
| can work for you. | | | | provides a publisher partner program to increase |
| - In just a few years of existence, Smashwords | | | | your brand visibility, and permits embedding of |
| has become a force in electronic publishing. | | | | works on other sites. |
| Partnered with major retailers Barnes and Noble | | | | - This digital publisher claims 6 million visitors a |
| and Fictionwise.com, and with close to half a billion | | | | month with 500 million uniques. The principle is the |
| words published, this site offers writers an | | | | same as with the previous sites, and Issuu lists |
| appealing opportunity to expose their work to | | | | the likes of Penguin Group, Google, and Random |
| readers. Account holders (registration is free) may | | | | House among its content providers. There are |
| offer works for free or for a fee, with | | | | two tiers for membership: a free account for the |
| Smashwords taking a small percentage of the cut | | | | purpose of sharing gratis documents, and a Pro |
| - authors receive 85% of net sales, a bounty | | | | plan of $19/month which allows accounts to sell |
| compared to what traditional publishers take. | | | | books and other files. An Android app is available, |
| Membership in their Premium program is | | | | with an iPhone/iTouch one pending, and companies |
| contingent on following their publication guidelines. | | | | interested in branding and customization can take |
| - Launched in 2007, Scribd boasts over 10 million | | | | advantage of Issuu's developers' tools. |
| published documents from novice users, seasoned | | | | A few things to remember if you decide to |
| authors, and large corporations like O'Reilly Media | | | | pursue social sharing via document sites as these: |
| and the Ford Motor Company. An account at | | | | 1) It's important to make sure your works are |
| Scribd gives you the option of uploading a | | | | edited and polished before publication, as the files |
| document (PDF, MS Word Doc, and Power Point | | | | you present stand for your company and/or |
| presentations) for free distribution or to sell. Once | | | | busines; and |
| uploaded, Scribd's tools allow you to embed | | | | 2) Only distribute works for which you hold the |
| documents into websites (branded readers are | | | | rights/copyrights. While sites like Scribd and |
| also available) or share via social media. There is | | | | Wattpad and others provide excellent |
| no charge to use the service, for gratis or paid | | | | opportunities for file sharing and buzz via social |
| uploads. | | | | networks, it's not uncommon to see people use |
| - Wattpad bills itself as the most popular eBook | | | | them for illegal book sharing, or piracy. |
| community, focusing on fiction and poetry | | | | Do you have writing to share pertinent to your |
| although it does make room for academic works. | | | | business? Whether you have one page or one |
| With your free account, you can upload text files | | | | hundred, you can increase your visibility and brand |
| and ePub format. There is no paid model available | | | | through social document sites. |