1. Google Analytics -- If you're going to start a blog, then you'll want to know if anyone is reading your work. Reader comments are not a good way to measure Web traffic. Google Analytics provides a wealth of data about the number of absolute unique visitors, page views, the amount of time people spend on your site, the browser used by visitors, how visitors found your site and the countries where your readers are located. Data is available for you every day and charts are provided for you to track readership across the days, weeks, months and years.
2. Twitter -- If you're trying to boost your readership, then Twitter is your No. 1 online tool. Never before has it been so easy to market and promote a product. By establishing a Twitter account and tweeting on a daily basis, you will become part of an online community and drum up interest in your own work. You can use Twitter to promote your latest blog post, complete with a link, and you can discuss your interests and opinions with others. There is a fine line, though, between tweeting enough to make people aware of your latest post and over-tweeting a blog post. Do not tweet nine or 10 times about the same blog post in one day. At most, tweet about the same post two or three times at different parts of the day.
3. bit.ly -- In the Twitter age, it's all about writing in a concise manner. You thought working for a newspaper or magazine required you to write tight. Well, when it comes to Twitter, you're going to get a new definition of what writing tight means (140 characters or less). So, imagine trying to cram one of these long hyperlinks into a short message. Well, bit.ly makes things easier by reducing those horribly long hyperlinks to 12 characters. Even better, bit.ly allows you to track how many times your shortened link is clicked and you get data on what countries the people are from that clicked on the link. Since Google Analytics data isn't available until the next day, you get an early look at your blog's traffic.
4. Save the Media -- A 20-year veteran newspaper journalist runs this blog that is an outstanding resource for anyone starting a blog. Gina Chen is always dishing out essential advice for bloggers on everything from what to include on your blog to how to promote your work. Do yourself a favor and read through her various tips. Even if you don't follow all her tips, you will certainly find a few that will make your blogging experience more enjoyable.
5. Google -- There isn't much to say about this super search engine that you don't already know. In addition to allowing you to search the Web for any topic you can imagine, what's nice about Google is that you can also conduct searches of blogs only. It never hurts to read other blogs. You may get an idea for a post, or you may just find someone new to read.
6. WeFollow -- If you're looking to establish an online presence, then you must become a part of this Web directory today. Yes, you need a Twitter account to register with WeFollow. When you become part of this directory, you can choose different categories (newspapers, journalism, etc.) that you want to be listed under. Choose categories that fit the theme of your blog. That way people interested in those subjects will find you.
7. Muck Rack -- Like many sites on this list, Muck Rack hasn't been around for long. Also, like many sites on this list, Muck Rack is quickly becoming a popular online community. This is a site for journalists who Twitter, and this site will open your eyes to what topics journalists are discussing and just how many of them are now blogging. It provides links to stories and shows which journalists are tweeting the most every day. Muck Rack is a fantastic site for finding journalist to follow on Twitter.
8. Amazon Kindle Publishing -- As more e-readers hit the market, it's absolutely necessary that your blog be available for those wishing to subscribe via their Kindle. Is there a big chunk of money to be made from making your blog available on the Kindle? No. Will at least one person out there take advantage of being to get your blog on their Kindle? I hope so. The bottom line is there is nothing to lose by making your blog available and there is everything to gain.
9. Wikipedia -- Much like Google, there isn't much left to say about Wikipedia that you don't already know. While information on this site might not always be 100 percent accurate, you can still use this online encyclopedia as a starting point for a more extensive Web search. If you're trying to find information about a topic for your blog, this is an excellent place to start. Once you've tracked down some information here, attempt to confirm the information and add to it by visiting other sites on the Web.
10. Mashable -- If you're starting a blog with very little knowledge about this innovative world of social media, then Mashable is a great resource tool that will educate you on how to navigate this electronic environment and all its various tools.
Also, if you're not doing so already, follow Scooping the News on Twitter.
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