I love technology and its myriad opportunities for outreach to various online communities.

I am on Facebook, MySpace, SheWrites (of course), Twitter, Blogger etc. Nonetheless, I admit that I don't have a clue about how to effectively market my blog and an upcoming website "Inside/Out"(for families of inmates).

A fellow writer, whose expertise is travel writing, has used Twitter to effectively attract followers for her blog, market herself, meet publishers and editors, and secure travel writing opportunities.

Honestly, I'm clueless about how she does this. She's told me that successful blogs/websites provide something--generally, useful information--that others want or need..

My blog, "The Written Word: From Where I Sit" offers commentary on current social and political issues, trends, or events, along with posts about whatever's on my mind.

With no specific content, such as travel, writing, new technology, politics--I don't know who the online community for my blog is.

(My new website, due to debut in January, will have a target audience--families of inmates.)

Consequently, I need to learn fast how to utilize the various social networks for maximum effectiveness.

If you have any suggestions, please send them along. Or perhaps you can share some successful strategies.