Use social media to knock your blog out of the ballpark!

One of the most important tools for bloggers is social media. You can’t just build a website and they will come. You have to build the website and then like it, share it, tweet it, and pin it. Then, they will come.

We recommend setting up your social media before you launch your new blog. Actually, some bloggers like to set up Facebook or Twitter accounts long before they launch as a way to tread the water before jumping in all the way. They use these accounts to build a following and get readers excited for their upcoming site. The 3 main social media platforms that we utilize are Facebook, Pinterest, Google+ and Twitter. Some other platforms are Google+, Instagram, LinkedIn, Flickr, Dribble, StumbleUpon, YouTube, and Vimeo. Use the ones that you feel match your blog content and readers the best.

Create a Facebook page for your blog

First, head to this page to create a Facebook page for your blog.  You will need to be signed in with your personal Facebook account.

Select the type of page: Local Business or Place; Company, Organization, or Institution; Artist, Band or Public Figure; or Entertainment. Most bloggers fall into the category titled Artist, Band, or Public Figure.

From there you’ll be able to fill out all your information. After you have your Facebook page customized to your liking, start sharing!

Create a Pinterest account for your blog

Go to http://business.pinterest.com/

Fill out your information and click Create Account

Next, you’ll be asked to Verify Your Website

Download the verification file. Keep this page open and head over to your cpanel (yourblog.com/cpanel) to upload the file.

Go to File Management and then File Directory (different hosts will use different wording, you are looking for your file manager.)

Select your document root for yourdomain.com and go.

Browse to find the Pinterest file you saved to your computer and upload the document. Once the upload is complete, you are all done on your cpanel.

Go back to the Verify Your website  form on Pinterest and click complete verification. Now you are ready to create boards and starting pinning!

Create a Google+ Profile Page

Google recommends having a personal Google+ account and a professional Google+ page for your blog. Today we are going to walk you through how to set up a professional page.

First go the Create a Google+ Page and select the category that matches your blog the closest.

Choose a name for your page and link it to your blog URL.

Customize your Google+ page and start adding people to your circles.

Create a Twitter account for your blog

Unlike Facebook and Google+, Twitter does not have separate accounts for businesses and people. This brings up a debate, should you have a twitter account for your blog and personal self, or just one twitter account for you the author? It’s up to you to decide!

To create your Twitter account, head over to their sign up page and fill in your information.

Twitter then makes you follow a few twitter profiles before you set up your profile. You can follow us as one of your 5, if that makes it easier for you. 😉

Upload a picture and a bio about yourself.

Once you’re set up, you can adjust your settings and the look of your twitter profile page. Tweet away!

Which social media platforms do you use to promote your blog?

What’s Next? Set up a newsletter!