Blogging has been a popular form of marketing for sometime now, but it is only recently that it has taken on a more dominant role. Smart marketers have seen the value of blogging as part of the social marketing scene. Like most of the social marketing techniques it is still free. However many entrepreneurs have failed to take full advantage of this fun but effective form of marketing. Part of this problem is simply that they are not aware of how to market their blog.

Brief overview of a blog: A blog is like a diary that you share with your readers. You write interesting snippets to enthrall and intrigue your subscribers and readers, on your blog page or website. People read these little gems and come to your website to find out more about products and information on your industry. To make this effective you must do this on a regular basis. Some do this daily others 2-3 days, it does not matter which you choose to do. Make it a habit and you will see results.

Promote it wherever you can:

1. Firstly mention your blog in every email you send. You can do this by means of your email signature file.

2. Send announcements to your own list; a particularly interesting blog, you will have a contest, with details at your blog. Free giveaways, with information at your blog. You can see how this will spark interest and get people who already trust you to come to your blog.

3. Offer a subscription to your blog. You must make your blog highly targeted and post interesting pieces of information on a regular basis to get the full impact of this. Every 3 days or at least once a week you should put new posts up on your blog page. You will need to keep your readers interested and begging for more to retain subscribers and make this method effective.

4. Join a blog network of related blogs. You will gain interested subscribers from other blogging sites or pages and will enhance your reader's experience.

Using RSS feeds to promote your blog:

Blogs and RSS feeds are like a marriage made in heaven. They make a powerful team and will spread your blog to many readers. They are a means to get highly targeted visitors to your website.

Brief overview of RSS feeds:

RSS feeds mean Really Simple Syndication feeds. They are XML files which are formatted to be read on RSS feeds throughout the world. Your readers subscribe to your RSS feed and will be able to view your latest web updates and blogs. For instructions on how to set up your own blog on an RSS feed you can go here http://feedburner.com

1. Make an account

2. Convert your blog content into a RSS fed by putting in the URL of your blog.

3. You can then get subscribed by making use any RSS feeder

4. Your feed will be automatically updated when you post new blogs

5. Your subscribers will get the automatic updates, whenever you decide to post new blogs

How to market your blog with RSS feeds:

1. Get people to subscribe to your feed. You can get information on how to do this here http://www.rssspecifications.com/rss-readers.htm

2. Submit to all RSS and blog directories. Also submit to my MSN, and Yahoo

3. Link blogs to your feed

4. Link to other RSS feeds that are related to your business

5. Link your RSS feeds to articles then distribute the articles for extra exposure.

Combine these 2 promotions and harness the real power of your blogs and make this your year to succeed.