You may have noticed that box on the sidebar that has little square pictures of people along with their names. That's a widget for MyBlogLog. MyBlogLog is a social networking site that allows you to keep track of friends (like Facebook) and it also streams in your newest blog posts. It's like a constant RSS Feed. You can also join communities to meet new friends, and it's a great way for people to stumble on your blog by searching for topics that interest them.

Of all the social sites, I actually find this one to be the most useful. It has a wide range of users, comes with a widget for your site (which is free), and has been more helpful for me when I'm looking for new blogs to discover. One thing I recommend is that you use a photo you want to keep using. People remember you based on that little avatar, so it's like a branding thing. Make sure that whatever you use is something you'll be comfortable with long-term. For more tips on ways to use MyBlogLog, go here.

The widget is by far the best feature for me. It allows you (and everyone else) to see who's been looking at your blog. I like to know who has been reading my blog, so that I can go read theirs and possibly introduce myself. You can never have too many friends! You can also send personal messages to your visitors by clicking on their photo. It takes you to their page and then you can learn about them and contact them.

If you're new to blogging, this should be your very first networking tool!

Labels: CyberSunshine, Stuff You Need, Website Tools