Win the Popularity Contest: 6 Ways to "Socialize" Your Blog

by Suzanne Svette

Blogging is an important part of online marketing. It allows clients and prospective clients an opportunity to learn about you and your products or services. And, it allows them a chance to interact. Blogging in itself, however, is not the "end all." Here are six ways to "socialize" and expand the conversation.

1. Comments - Responding quickly to comments made on your blog keeps a participant active and interested. And commenting on others' blogs shows your interest and brings much needed links back into your blog.
2. Trackbacks - Mutual link exchanges that occur when one blog links to another. WordPress does this automatically between WordPress blogs. Others may require a request.
3. Outbound Links - Linking to another's blog posts not only provides the reader with additional, relevant information, it may also attract a link into your blog - or maybe an article in reference to your post.
4. Facebook - Mentioning a post on a Facebook account will attract readers for your blog post.
5. Twitter - The same goes for Twitter. A brief comment will attract interested readers who aren't shy about posting further comments. Interested parties can be asked to follow you on Twitter.
6. LinkedIn - Expands the conversation to a more professional level. Ask people with similar interests to network with you on LinkedIn.

A little time spent promoting your blog posts through any or all of these means increases its visibility and helps to establish you and your company's credibility. Let me know if you think of any other ways to "socialize" your blog.

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About the Author Suzanne Svette is the Vice President and General Manager for IdeaStar Inc., a Web Development company. This article first appeared in Spinfield, IdeaStar's online marketing blog.