So, you finally decided to take the blog leap. You heard all about the marketing and search benefits, so you stepped up to the plate and signed up for a TypePad, MovableType or WordPress blog software package. Now you're a blogger.
What next? Add the 10 essential blogging tools listed below and you will be well on your way to creating and promoting a blog that is also a powerful marketing tool. I'll explain the use of the tool and offer some suggestions, including the tools I use on my own blogs.
Feed reader
The best way to learn about blogs and blogging is to read or at least scan lots of blogs. One of the wonders of blogs is that you can have every new post from every blog you want to read delivered to your desktop or to online location so you can easily read and scan the posts of many blogs in a very short time. Newsgater is a good online choice and also has a version that integrates with Microsoft Outlook. I use a free online service know as Bloglines.
Subscriber center
You need to make it easy for your blog visitors to subscribe to your blog's RSS feed - so they can read your blog in their favorite feed reader. The best way to do this is to go to FeedBurner and burn your own RSS feed there and use the tools they provide to set up automatic subscriber links. That way people who want to use Bloglines, Google Reader, MyYahoo or Pluck can click on one button to subscribe. Tech types can figure this out on their own but the buttons make it easy for anyone to figure out. You might also look at a free add-on called Add This. It creates a one button subscribe feature.
Side note - subscribe to each of these yourself and you will force some blog spiders (a search engine's robot that patrols the web for new content) to visit your site.
Email subscription option
A lot of people will never get the whole feed thing, but everyone gets email. Create a way for people to subscribe by giving you their email address - they will simply receive your blog posts like an email message. FeedBurner offers this service for free. FeedBlitz is another option or, if you already have an autoresponder email list service, they may offer this service. AWeber offers this and helps me integrate these blog email subscribers into my other mailing lists.
Blog and RSS directories
There are hundreds of blog and RSS directories, and getting listed in many can be a good thing. I use a piece of software called RSS Submit, but you can also visit Robin Goode's frequently updated list and submit your blog and feed by hand.
Hint: subscribe to the RSS feed he offers and you will be notified when new directories are added.
Ping service
Pinging is a term used for letting the various blog and RSS directories know when you have posted new content. Again, FeedBurner offers this as an automatic option called PingShot and you should activate it. PingGoat and Ping O Matic are other options, but they require that you visit and update your record each time you post new content.
Bookmark manager
As you surf around the web or hop from blog to blog, you may find sites that you want to point out to your readers. Online bookmark managers allow you to bookmark and categorize web and blog pages as you collect them and are a great tool for managing all of the stuff you find on the web. I use del.icio.us but BlinkList does a fine job as well.
Blog stats
I like to track a few key stats in real time because it shows what other blogs might be linking to you or posting about your blog. A lot of people just like to track this kind of thing for fun and frequently visit sites like Technorati. I like to track it for networking opportunities. I use a tool called MyBlogLog because it allows me to see where traffic is coming from but also tracks what links on my blog visitors are clicking on. It's amazing how this data can help you write more effectively.
Desktop posting
With most blog software you must go online and post using a set of tools provided by the blog software. Many bloggers like to use a desktop application to create and submit their posts as it gives them some extra tools and allows them to more easily integrate content and files on their computer.
I use w.blogger but also like Performancing, with the Firefox extension, Windows Live Writer and ecto (mac folks).
Tell a friend script
My blog software has a feature that allows a reader to click, link and send the post to a friend. This tactic brings me lots of readers. You might try looking here for some simple scripts that do that same.
Republish feed headlines
The ability to republish your blog posts on other web page, sites you own or sites of strategic partners is a great way to expose folks to your blog content. One more time, we turn to FeedBurner for a painless way to republish your blog post to any web page you choose with something they call BuzzBoost.
About the Author:
John Jantsch is a veteran marketing coach, award winning blogger and author of Duct Tape Marketing: The World's Most Practical Small Business Marketing Guide published by Thomas Nelson.
He is the creator of the Duct Tape Marketing small business marketing system. You can find more information by visiting
Small business marketing ideas and strategies | Duct Tape Marketing.
