Each week, Dear Gracie answers questions from ProfNet Connect readers with advice from our network of more than 44,000 ProfNet experts. Has there been a question burning in your mind lately, something you've been wondering that none of your friends can answer? Please send it to grace.lavigne@prnewswire.com

Dear Gracie,

I'm a newbie journalist and am wondering if I could get tips on Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) laws. What type of information is covered by them? What types of stories should I include government info in? How do I make info requests? What happens if I'm denied?

Info Investigator

*****

Dear Info Investigator,

Here are tips from a couple of ProfNet experts with loads of media law experience:

Who Do FOIA Laws Serve?

"Freedom of information laws are great tools for anyone looking for public records," says Roy Gutterman, associate professor of communications law and journalism at Syracuse University's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and director of the Tully Center for Free Speech. "All states and the federal government have freedom of information laws that allow everyday citizens, but more commonly reporters, to keep tabs on government action through the records government agencies keep."

"Being able to access public records really separates the kids from the grownups when it comes to reporting and journalism," continues Gutterman. "And it's not just the so-called investigative reporters who use freedom of information laws either. Entertainment, celebrity, sports and business reporters all rely on public records for their reporting."

What Types of Stories Need FOIA Info?

"In order to use public records effectively, a reporter has to know what agencies do and what records exist," explains Gutterman. "Government agencies keep tons of records."

Accessing records really depends on what story the reporter is doing, he continues. "Broad policy stories or investigations may require seeking lots of raw data and then using computer software to help analyze the data. This takes time and an expertise, but this can also yield amazing stories and lead to creation of databases or data maps."

"For smaller-scale stories, reporters can incorporate a host of public records, too," says Gutterman. When he was a reporter, he used public records for stories on things like municipal and school budgets, failure rates to FAA radar systems, safety and inspections reports, government contracts, election commission filings, property tax records and more.

Who to Ask for Information

"As far as seeking out documents, most government agency websites have instructions and some even have request forms," says Gutterman. "Many agencies also have a wealth of public information online too."

But remember: Reporters tend to need documents and data that are not voluntarily uploaded by agencies, says Gutterman.

So if the documents you need are not readily available, then the first step is to identify the agency and find the appropriate person to ask for information, says Gutterman. Sometimes government officials will simply provide the information, but it's more likely that the reporter will have to put the request in writing, he says.

Government officials usually prefer that the request for information come via a document, just to cover themselves, explains Gutterman.

"Care should be taken to ensure that an email or fax request goes to the proper official," says Joseph Larsen, special counsel attorney at Sedgwick LLP, an international trial and litigation law firm. Normally, a regular mail request will be handled as long as it is sent to the agency, but, for example, under the Texas state act, a faxed or emailed request will not be honored unless it has been sent to the public information officer.

And while most governmental bodies/agencies are set up to make the request online, Joseph Larsen also suggests telephoning the agency, since FOIA public information officers are valuable contacts.

How to Ask for Information

The nature of the request itself will depend on the information being sought, says Gutterman. The letter is not extensive -- it's typically only a paragraph or two identifying the records sought, citing the FOI law or state law, and asking for a reasonable or reduced fee for copying costs, he says.

Legally, reporters do not have to say why they are seeking the information or what kind of story they plan to write, says Gutterman.

However, Larsen says that reporters should try to describe their requests as narrowly as possible in order to obtain the most relevant information. "Many reporters frame their requests broadly so as to disguise the true goal of their requests," he says. But this probably won't yield the best results.

Larsen also provides a possible explanation for requesting waivers for copying charges: Disclosure of the information is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute significantly to public understanding of the operations or activities of government and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requestor.

And if you're under a tight deadline and need info quickly, Gutterman advises keeping an FOIA template letter on-hand in your computer files.

However, keep in mind that responses to these requests are frequently delayed, whether or not they ultimately release the information, says Larsen.

If and When You're Denied

If you request info in writing, and the agency or official denies your request, then they will be required to prove (possibly in court if the case goes forward) their reasoning for denial, according to one of the nine statutory exceptions under federal law, says Gutterman.

"The federal law has nine exceptions that government can invoke to withhold documents from the public for reasons ranging from national security, to law enforcement records that would interfere with criminal proceedings if they were distributed publicly," explains Gutterman.

"If a federal agency raises exceptions as a basis for withholding all or part of the requested information, it will so advise by correspondence," says Larsen. The requestor may appeal within the agency to an official set out in the correspondence, normally within 60 days -- but look for the specifics, he says.

If the agency fails to respond or denies the appeal, the requestor may sue for release of the requested information, says Larsen.

If the judge ends up ruling against the agency, then the documents will be turned over to you, and you could possibly be awarded lawyer fees, says Gutterman.

No Matter What Happens

No matter what happens, a reporter should be professional in every setting, stresses Gutterman. "It can be extremely frustrating when a reporter asks for a public record and a low-level government official refuses to turn over something -- but that's part of the job," he says. "That's also what the law is for," he adds.

People who work in government know what exists and might be able to point a reporter toward the right documents, so they're excellent sources to cultivate and maintain, says Gutterman.

If you want more guidance on how to make FOIA requests, Larsen suggests this excellent resource for journalists: Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press

Each week, Dear Gracie answers questions from ProfNet Connect readers with advice from our network of more than 44,000 ProfNet experts. Has there been a question burning in your mind lately, something you've been wondering that none of your friends can answer? Please send it to grace.lavigne@prnewswire.com

Dear Gracie,

I've been tasked with wrangling up press to cover and attend an upcoming conference. Although the organizers have some great content, the conference is a newbie on the circuit and it's been difficult to get this on press radars. I'm looking for a Conference Confucius to offer up some advice.

Conference Conundrum

********

Dear Conference Conundrum,

Five ProfNet experts offer some advice on how to get the press to cover your conference:

Newsworthiness

If you're trying to get reporters to cover your event, the first step is to try and get them to come, says Vince McMorrow, associate vice president of Fahlgren Mortine. Many reporters nowadays have gotten the green light from bosses to travel to events. "What gets them there is good content," he says.

"News is news -- you can't make it up," says Lisa Layne, principal of Lettuce PR. News outlets will never come to your conferences again if you say there is news to announce, but then just treat it as a messaging outlet. If you spin a conference that isn't newsworthy, you can damage your PR career.

How do you know if your conference is newsworthy? McMorrow suggests asking these questions:

• Do you have speakers that are well-known in the industry?
• Will there be sessions/tutorials on topics/trends critical to the industry?
• Can you leak some of the information to the media before the conference to entice them to attend or cover?

"Big subjects sell themselves," explains John Brooks, director of media relations and news at North Park University in Chicago. For example, when Brooks was director of news for a mainline church denomination, they'd get coverage for anything controversial happening at the national assembly. Matters relating to sexuality and the church, as well as a church-to-church agreement that some members of both churches opposed, drew the press in particular.

"Unfortunately, controversy seems to work, but it can open the door for coverage of other conference happenings too," says Brooks.

Furthermore, in these days of tighter budgets, a reporter might not be able to travel to your event, so in that case, provide them with a phone number they can call to talk to someone, or provide them with the necessary info to watch it live (like if there's a webcast of the conference), says Brooks.

And if there is a webcast, tell the reporters when to watch for key subjects, Brooks continues.

If online attendance is an option for a national conference, then make a concerted effort to get press from all over the country to attend from their desks, suggests Elizabeth Arritt, director of marketing at Omega Performance Corporation. Send out personal messages to different reporters in different cities, and highlight speakers from their area. This generates local coverage all over the country, she says. (She used MEDIAtlas to find these reporters.)

"Survey attendees and then offer the results to the media," suggests McMorrow. "Ask for media input in the initial stages of creating the survey, so that you can get their buy-in. Provide it to them after the event to continue getting coverage."

Work the Reporters

"Get to the right reporter," says Brooks. The reporters who cover your beat will be the most interested in your conferences.

If reporters do decide to attend your event, make sure they have press passes that will give them access to all areas, says McMorrow.

Before a conference, Brooks travels to the city where the conference is being held and visits with industry reporters and assignment editors to tell them about the event.

When Brooks worked for an agricultural organization, the reporters most interested in their events were farm reporters and broadcasters. "They'd come and talk to several agricultural experts, and use those comments for several days. What worked there was providing solid content to beat reporters interested in the subjects we were communicating," he says.

Being transparent and inviting reporters ahead of time helps secure coverage later when the conference is being held, explains Brooks.

Also, make your CEO visible, Brooks continues. When the presiding bishop of the church Brooks represents travels to another city for a speaking engagement, Brooks contacts local religion writers and tells them about where the bishop is going, so that the reporters can schedule a meeting and interview with the bishop.

It's even better if the local host of the speaking engagement contacts local media directly, adds Brooks. But either way, find a reporter who covers your beat, and tell them about your CEO too.

Kill two birds with one stone by hosting a news conference or conference call to kick off your event, Brooks continues. Have your CEO speak to the media about key issues to be discussed at the conference.

"Invite reporters to participate in your conference," says Brooks. "If you've got a communication theme, invite reporters as event speakers, or invite a well-known reporter in the conference city to speak as a keynoter," he suggests. "Audiences like reporters because they can tell stories relevant to everyone -- and reporters sometimes cover reporters."

High-Profile Names

"The key to press conferences is understanding what type of high-profile names you get there," says Layne. Try to get industry officials, celebrities, authors, etc.

"Encourage planners to get recognizable names," agrees Brooks. "The toughest thing to do is get coverage for a great speaker that few have heard of."

Celebrity endorsements are a highly important factor for conference campaigning, continues Layne. Even if the brand is a yoga mat, a tourism bureau, a new tech gadget -- backing your event with a name is crucial.

"Consumers and media want to care about your conference for a reason," says Layne. If they can associate a household name that they trust, then they trust the brand too.

But she notes that it can be difficult to get celebrities to your conference unless they are already a spokesperson for the event.

To get high-profile names to attend your conference, look for relevant charities, Layne suggests. Do some research. For example, Jennie McCarthy has an autistic child, so if your event revolves around that, pitch her publicist.

If the celebrity bites, send a town car to pick them up, says Layne. "Make it easy for them, and hand hold. It's like babysitting -- but researching the kid's hobbies first."

Local Community

"Don't overlook the little things your organization might be doing for the conference's host city, particularly if there's a societal benefit or if it has a positive impact on those who are less fortunate," suggests George Deutsch, senior media relations coordinator at the International Facility Management Association.

For example, at an expo show in Orlando, Fla., a few years ago, Deutsh was trying to promote the conference and its educational sessions, new products and services, and its sustainability. While he was talking to one of the reporters in attendance, he mentioned as an aside that the company would be donating the excess food and beverages from the show to the needy in the local community.

That brief remark is what the reporter picked up on. "The story ended up being the best coverage we got from the show," says Deutsch. "It taught me to remember to promote the little things."

Any information you can provide about how people from the community in which the conference is being held will interest reporters, says Brooks. "They want local people in their stories who are relevant to their readers."

So for national events, Brooks always tries to include a local-story angle if possible, because that's the kind of information that gets covered.

Local news organizations are also typically interested in the financial effects of a conference to be held in their town, says Brooks. "It invites coverage of the conference in a different way, which can lead to coverage of the conference itself." The Convention and Visitors Bureaus could be helpful with this, he adds.

Arritt got great coverage from a local news station where she was holding a conference once with a money-grab exhibit booth. The idea was that a participant would climb inside the booth, and then get 30 seconds to grab as much flying money as they could.

She contacted the local news director and invited their weatherman to do the noon weather report from the booth. As a bonus, they agreed to match whatever the weatherman grabbed and donate it all to Habitat for Humanity (with a guarantee for a minimum donation if he grabbed less than expected).

"It was a great spot," says Arritt. "They re-ran it for the evening news, and we had copies to use for ourselves as well. It provided us, the station and Habitat with some good PR."

Gracie

Via this column, we'll explore one grammar rule each week. If you have a grammar question you'd like me to address, please drop me a line at grace.lavigne@prnewswire.com and I'll do my best to answer it.

From taking cookies and carrots, to bringing the right gifts to all the nice children, Santa and his reindeer are confused this year -- all this bringing and taking. If they mess this up, Christmas could be ruined!

Let's help Santa and Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph figure out the difference between take and bring so that we actually get our presents this year!

Main Rule: Take is used in reference to a starting point, and bring is used in reference to a destination. Simply Put: Bring things here. Take things there. Bring implies movement towards, and take implies movement away.

Take

• Santa is taking the reindeer to a party this year.

The point of reference is Santa. From Santa's perspective, he and elves are going to a destination (the party), so they are moving away from here and going towards there.

• Santa takes the presents inside.

Again, this sentence is from Santa's point of view. He moves the presents from his sleigh to the indoors, so he's taking the presents from here to there (the movement is away).

Bring

• Mrs. Clause wants the reindeer to bring Santa home.

This is from Mrs. Clause's perspective. She wants the reindeer to bring Santa home because she is already at the destination (home). She wants Santa to go from there (wherever he is delivering presents) to here (where she is at home).

• Rudolph wishes Santa would bring him carrots.

This sentence is from Rudolph's point of view. He wants the carrots to be brought closer to him, so the movement is from there to here.

Exceptions

Common expressions (idioms) like "take a cab" or "bring home the bacon" make these rules seem confusing. But remember: You ask people to bring things to you, and tell people to take things away.

Santa was just guessing before, but now he knows for sure: He takes presents from his sleigh to children's houses. He doesn't bring presents anywhere, because he lets the children keep them forever!

Each week, Dear Gracie answers questions from ProfNet Connect readers with advice from our network of more than 44,000 ProfNet experts. Has there been a question burning in your mind lately, something you've been wondering that none of your friends can answer? Please send it to grace.lavigne@prnewswire.com

Dear Gracie,

I'm going to give a speech in a few weeks to a large audience (the largest audience I've ever had to speak in front of). Naturally, I'm a nervous wreck. What makes a speech great? What can I learn from some of the greatest speakers?

Tongue Terror

*******

Dear Tongue Terror,

Here are tips from five ProfNet experts with extensive speech experience:

Preparation

"Preparation is the most important factor contributing to a great speech," says Ronald Hanser, seasoned PR pro and president of Hanser & Associates.

"Study proper technique," suggests Cherie Kerr, founder of ExecuProv, a presentation and communication skills training company for business professionals; and founding member of L.A. Groundlings, a sketch and improvisational comedy troupe. "Work on proper breathing, vocal production and diction. Train professionally."

"Learn about your audience -- who are they, and what do they want to learn or hear?" says Hanser.

But also consider who invited you or organized the event, says Alan Weiss, president of Summit Consulting Group, and author of "Million Dollar Speaking" and 44 other books. "What are their objectives? Be careful not to be too speaker-centered or audience-centered," he says.

Delivery

Just before you deliver your speech, "smell the room," says Kerr. That's what improv actors do when they take the stage, she says. "We pick up the vibe from the audience." Are they lively or half-asleep? Pay attention to what "state" they are in so you can corral them if they are too out of hand, or energize them if they are too lethargic. How can you play to them to satisfy their interests?

"Every audience will mirror you," Kerr continues. "If you're confident and pleased to be there, they will be too. If you're lively, they will be. If you're boring, stiff, aloof, that's what you will get back."

Try to make eye contact with everyone in the room, and project energy (without being hyper) to engage and connect with your audience, adds Kerr.

"Use of body and voice are key components to making a compelling speech," agrees Elaine Clark, author of "There's Money Where Your Mouth Is" and owner of Voice One, a voice-over, acting and improv-training academy. "The voice and body need to work in tandem -- it's a full package. Movement dramatically affects the voice." So speak clearly, and set an appropriate speed for delivering the message.

But remember it is contrast and variety that make us interesting, says Kerr. "You obtain that with a change in mood, volume and pace."

That's why you need to break things up to capture and hold attention, she says. Be unpredictable and spontaneous. "Audiences love that," says Kerr. "Be ready to change your agenda on a dime, depending on what happens in the moment."

"Being flexible and willing to adapt to each new situation is part of the challenge," agrees Clark. "The job of any speaker is to be a problem solver and not the problem. Define what sells and deliver the message accordingly."

Kerr also notes that it's best not to use PowerPoint, unless it's a necessity. "If you do use PowerPoint, remember that it is a prop, and it should not dominate your show."

Content

Business leaders especially are too busy to sit through a speech that does not provide new and relevant information, unique insight or interpretation, or some form of entertainment, says Hanser. Ideally, the speaker will provide all three of these, plus an interactive opportunity like a Q&A.

"In the beginning, the audience needs to know who you are and why they should listen to you," says Clark. "An amusing entrance or story is commonly used because it captures attention and has impact."

The first five to 10 seconds of a speech count most, as the listener is forming their opinion of the speaker, content and style of the presentation, agrees Hanser.

"You need to 'hook' people in the first 90 seconds, because that will determine how well they listen after that," echoes Weiss.

"Use examples to make your points," says Weiss. Use humor that is inherent in personal, true stories, but don't tell "jokes."

"Don't be afraid to use notes," says Weiss. "No one is there to remark on how well you memorize."

"Make your 'sound bites' memorable," continues Weiss. "Use dramatic language. Don't say it's 'global,' say it's 'cosmic'!"

But never end your speech with a Q&A, he adds. "Do that two-thirds of the way through. End on a call to action. People remember the last thing you tell them."

And remember that the audience wants a success, says Weiss. "They are there for you. Don't lose that. They want to talk about how well their time was spent."

So make sure your message is clear, concise and easy to understand, says Kerr. And always leave them wanting more, she adds.

"Trust a few, well-chosen people for feedback," says Weiss. "Never listen to unsolicited feedback; it's for the sender. Never pay attention to feedback sheets, because it's often your job to make the audience uncomfortable."

Content vs. Delivery

Content is more important than the way the speech is delivered, but both are important, says Hanser.

On the other hand, if a speech is brilliantly written, but poorly delivered, the impact will be minimized, says Clark. "The speaker needs to emotionally and intellectually relate to the audience."

"Imagine FDR's speech following the Pearl Harbor attack 70 years ago if he had decided not to begin with 'A date which will live in infamy,'" says Hanser. "The content counted most, because it helped every American realize that our priorities as a nation had changed. 'How' he called America to action was important, but secondary to the primary message."

That content still lives on via print publications, recordings, the Internet, etc. "It would have been perfect for Twitter!" Hanser adds.

Four Lessons From Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs' speeches have become the stuff of legend not only in the tech sector, but also across the business world and around the globe, says Carmine Gallo, Forbes.com columnist, and author of the book "The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs."

"His keynotes are studied, copied, dissected word-for-word and covered in just about every language on the planet," says Gallo. "His presentations received almost as much media play as the innovative gadgets he rolled out, and he consistently kept up the hype for years."

Jobs had signature techniques in all of his memorable speeches and keynotes, says Gallo.

Firstly, he was known for taking weeks to go over his speeches, rehearsing so diligently that he made his delivery look effortless, says Gallo.

Secondly, Jobs used "The Rule of Three" -- three stories, three parts, three basic messages, says Gallo. "This creates a classic structure -- an automatic beginning, middle and end -- and also lets listeners know where they are in the context of your delivery."

Jobs used "The Rule of Three" in every speech, and added the now-legendary "one more thing" at the end, says Gallo.

Thirdly, Jobs electrified his audiences because he always seemed to be having a good time on stage. He always appeared to be more in the midst of a conversation, rather than delivering a speech, says Gallo.

And fourthly, Jobs never once lost his passion for his message and what he was talking about, and it shone through in everything he did, says Gallo.

Steve Jobs told The Wall Street Journal in 1993: "Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful -- that's what matters to me."

"Captivating speakers believe everything they say," says Clark. "Their passion about the subject matter holds our attention. They establish their authority, demonstrate sound logic and use emotion to relate to the listener."

So what's the most important thing? Believing in yourself and your message!

Gracie

Each week, Dear Gracie answers questions from ProfNet Connect readers with advice from our network of more than 44,000 ProfNet experts. Has there been a question burning in your mind lately, something you've been wondering that none of your friends can answer? Please send it to grace.lavigne@prnewswire.com

Dear Gracie,

I started blogging about six months ago. I write about my industry, and I have more than 20 years of experience in the field. I think I offer great content, but I'm not getting the traffic results and clicks I expected. My number of followers is pretty low, so I'm wondering how I can increase my readership, as well as my blog's SEO rankings. Any advice would be great.

Bummed Blogger

*********

Dear Bummed Blogger,

Five ProfNet experts offer great advice on how to increase blog traffic by improving content, implementing SEO tactics and managing social media:

Content: Catchy and Consistent

"Pick a provocative title. No one wants to read more blah blah blah," says Mark Stevens, CEO of the global marketing firm MSCO, and whose blog "Unconventional Thinking" was listed in the "Top Ten Marketing Blogs" by Blogged.com.

"People judge a blog post by its headline," explains Penny Sansevieri, CEO of Author Marketing Experts and adjunct instructor of publishing at New York University. Readers who are subscribed to a lot of blog feeds will choose the blogs they read based on the titles. So don't make your readers guess your topic. Be specific.

"Make titles short, intriguing and worth passing around," agrees Barbara Bates, CEO and blogger for Eastwick Communications. "If you blow your story content in one shot, there's no reason to want to read further."

Make sure your content is brief and unavailable elsewhere, says Stevens. Force people to think about something they wouldn't think about on their own, and explain why thinking about it will benefit them.

"Have an opinion," suggests Bates. "These days, people can find information anywhere. If you become a consistent source with a view, people will come back to see your opinions."

Update your content often, continues Sansevieri. She recommends posting an entry at least twice a week (the entries don't have to be super long; even 50 words would be enough sometimes). Studies show that people have more time to read blogs before 9 a.m., so post early too, she adds.

"Remember that consistency helps," says Bill Corbett Jr., CEO of Corbett Public Relations and host of "Grow Your Personal Brand" workshops, which includes information on blog strategies for business owners. With so many other blogs getting attention, if you post once or twice a week, or once a month, or whatever your formula is -- stick to it, he says.

"When content is connected with topical issues, like celebrities, items in the news and even holidays, the blog will see more traffic," he adds.

Topical matters will have a greater chance of being picked up on social media because of keywords, agrees Bates.

Include images in your blog posts, says Bates. "All the time, every time."

Photos bring traffic to your blog because people searching for images will be directed to your site, explains Sansevieri.

And when you feature exclusive content on your blog, like photos, videos, event announcements, slide shows, etc., post the link to that content, rather than posting the content directly, continues Bates. It will drive people back to your site and encourage more "poking around," she says.

Feature guest writers on your blog, and guest write for someone else's blog, suggests Bates.

Also, create a blog roll that showcases industry leaders and go-to experts, she says. They may end up repaying the favor to you as well.

And remember, don't sell yourself, your products or your services on your blog, says Stevens. Otherwise readers will be annoyed!

SEO: The Key Is Keywords

Implement a few simple principles of search engine marketing to save time and build a strong and steady stream of traffic to your website, says Sansevieri.

Since many people search for information via Google, it's important to understand the intricacies of this search engine to get better results, she continues.

Google Page Rank (GPR) is a number between 1 and 10 that Google assigns to a website to indicate importance, she says. "The higher the page rank, the more important the site is."

"Google ranks websites using two methods: relevance and authority," she continues. "Relevance" indicates the significance of the result in relation to your search. "Authority" is dependent on the content of your site, as well as the types of sites that link to your site, she says.

Use keywords too, adds Sansevieri. She recommends using a tool like GoogleKeywordTool.com to determine the right keywords for your blog.

If you want to rank higher for particular keywords, then use them in your URL, YouTube channel, Facebook Page, Twitter account, etc., says Sansevieri. She wanted her website to rank highest for "book marketing" search results, so she bought the URL "BookMarketingAME.com" (BookMarketing.com was already taken). "Whatever you tack onto the end of your keyword URL doesn't matter," she says. What matters is the first word or words in the URL. Within three months, Sansevieri's site went from Page 2 on Google's search results to Page 1.

Once you've identified keywords, use them on your site, she says. "Make sure they are on your homepage specifically, because that's the page Google 'sees' and shows in searches."

Use keywords in your page titles too, says Sansevieri. "Page titles are the words that show up in the top frame of your browser, above the search bar." Make sure you title your homepage, but remember to title each page of your site too.

Social Media: Share, Share, Share

Sync your blog with your social media accounts, so that your posts are automatically reposted on Twitter, Facebook, etc., says Sansevieri. "Am I worried about too much duplicate content? Not really. I think people enter your message through different doors. The people who find you on Twitter may not be the same people who 'like' your page on Facebook."

And add "sharing" widgets to your blog, like "Upload to Facebook," or "Tweet This!" buttons, Sansevieri continues.

Social buttons should be available on every blog post, adds Bates. "If they can't share it right then and there, they probably just won't share it."

Create a team of 10 or 20 "friends" and "ambassadors" and ask them to share your blog with their social media followers, suggests Corbett.

Also, comment on other blogs, and link back to your blog to encourage dialogue, says Bates.

"Few realize the benefits blog commenting can bring to a site," explains Sansevieri. Identify the top 5-10 blogs in your market, and when there's an entry you like, post a comment and include your URL.

"When posting photos to Facebook, bloggers should include their URL to their site in the photo description," says Ilya Pozin, CEO of Ciplex, a digital marketing agency for small businesses and startups. "The link in the description will go live once published, so Facebook browsers just have to click once to be taken right to the blog."

On Twitter, #FF is a hashtag used every Friday. "It means 'Follow Friday' and it's a chance to give a shout-out to influential tweeters, fellow bloggers or new followers," says Pozin. "It's a great way to increase a blog's traffic by connecting with niche tweeters and target audiences," he explains.

On LinkedIn, don't just post your blog in your status stream, says Corbett. "Post in groups that you belong to. You can join up to 50 groups."

You can also consider sending a notice to your LinkedIn connections, Corbett continues (although he doesn't recommend doing this every time if you post often). "You can only send a notice to 50 people at a time, so this will take some time to do, but it will drive traffic directly to your blog."

And if you're not shy and have an interesting story or advice, get a YouTube channel, recommends Sansevieri. "It's a fantastic way to drive traffic to your site," she says.

Synopsis: Focus on providing meaningful, interactive and frequent content with lots of keywords. Make it easy for readers to share your blog, and rely on your networks for more visibility.

Good luck with your blogging!

Gracie