YUDU is a free online library stocked with all kinds of digital content—things like books, magazines, music and photos. The great thing about YUDUis that the target audience isn’t only made up of people looking to publish. The archive is a great place for anyone wishing to browse and connect with people who have similar hobbies and interests.

Of course, YUDU is primarily a great place for people who are, in fact, looking to publish their work online. One of the nice things about YUDU is that it isn’t just a written word library. The publishing system offers searchable video, audio, and images. This means that multimedia artists will feel at home using YUDU—and it also means that the library is a lot of fun to browse.

If you’re looking to promote your work, YUDU has several features set up to help you (most of them are available with the plus package). Make sure to check out their forums and create either a public or moderated group to keep in touch with other passionate, like-minded people.

Practical Uses:

• Read travel magazines online
• Add your favorite band’s music to your library
• Promote your how-to manual
• Publish your creative writing for all to see

Insider Tips:

• Upgrade to YUDU plus and consider selling your work online
• Create a private group to share with friends and family only
• Cut and post the URL to your social networking sites for even more exposure
• Make your work searchable by publishing in the YUDU library

What we liked:

• Wonderful resource for students and professionals
• Great archive of free digital content
• Allows users to connect and share interests
• Publishing is fast and easy

What we didn’t like:

• Users can’t edit text in a published document
• Certain fonts don’t show up correctly

Alternatives:

• Calameo – www.calameo.com
• Docstoc – www.docstoc.com
• Issuu – www.issuu.com
• Scribd – www.scribd.com

Company Info:

• Launched: April 2007
• Owned by Yudu Media Ltd
• Founder: Richard Stephenson
• Headquarters: Clitheroe, Lancs
• Web site: www.yudu.com

Costs:

• Free for basic package; paid plans available via email from YUDU

Rating:

• 5 out of 5 (wow)