While social networking was originally seen as a great social media tool for college kids to stay in the loop with the happenings of each other’s lives; it has become a catalyst to creating more buzz for businesses, blogs and more.

Sadly, many blogs still are using social media. If this is your blog then you are losing a valuable marketing tool. Social media is a cost effective tool that can increase your exposure. If you’re still scratching your head and wondering why you need to get in on the social media train then here are a few reasons:

Building Relationships

What good is a blog if no one is finding it or reading it? For a blog to thrive it must have exposure, it must have a following; it must have someone reading it. Social networks are a great way to build a buzz. Through social networks you can target people and businesses that would interested in your blog.

By utilizing keywords in your search, you will be able to pinpoint the people you’ve been trying to reach. It’s all about building relationships. Are you looking to harness a powerful connection with other bloggers with similar interests? This is where social networking is important. You can find other bloggers who you’d like to build a relationship via social networks like Facebook and Twitter. You can comment on their posts or tweets. You can share their post or retweet their tweets. Before you know it you can build a connection with those who share your interests which means more exposure for your blog.

Blogs thrive by exposure and social networks are a great way to connect with a larger audience and those you wouldn’t normal come in contact with on a daily basis.

Building Traffic

Gaining more exposure means more traffic for your blog. In the traditional world a lot of traffic is something you wouldn’t want but in the virtual world, traffic is exactly what you want. The more traffic you get; the better.

Want to know what others in your niche are talking about? Follow them on Twitter or “like” their Facebook page. This will not only allow you to stay connect with those in your area of expertise but will also allow you to drive traffic back to your own blog. The more people read your posts and comments; the more interesting you become and the more people want to know about you and your blog. Social networks give you a platform to getting the traffic you need.

Links and Expertise

When you’re searching the internet for information you want answers to your questions that are easy and quick to find. Often people turn to social networks seeking recommendations and advice. This is where social networks can enhance your blog by establishing you as an expert in your niche. A lot of questions are asked via social networks. If this is an area that you have knowledge in then you can create a response. If you happen to have a solution on your blog then you can add a link to that section of your blog. This is two-fold as you begin to establish yourself as the expert as well as drive traffic to your blog. In addition, you can enhance your blog by adding information from other well-known sources in your niche market. This is not taking away from your blog. On the contrary it is adding value to your blog. You not only know about the things you write about but you also know who, in your area of expertise are valuable resources. It’s a collaborative effect that benefits you and your blog in the long run.

Social media has changed the landscape of how bloggers can market themselves and their blogs. There is for more value in utilizing social networks then not using them at all. Social media is being utilized by all the players in the game. You’re can’t join the game if you’re not playing.

Jeff is an internet marketing consultant and a part time blogger. He writes mostly about blogging, internet marketing, Pay Per Click Strategies and Search Engine Optimization techniques and best practices.He shares his experience about how to get the most out of your blog. Jeff is also a consultant and content contributor for Queens NY condos community.