I've spent months answering questions from marketers about blogs and blogging and how they fit into the marketing mix. Still, 99% don't understand the power of blogging.

What most marketers don't seem to grasp is the "people element". People have wants and needs and a desire to fill them. People want to belong to something bigger - a group, an organization. They want to be recognized and respected by their peers, noticed by leaders in their group and looked up to by their followers. Social. Community. Acceptance. Fellowship. Trust.

Key Marketing Concept: Fill people's wants and needs. Help them feel a sense of belonging, a sense of trust and they will spend their money.

In other words, build a rapport with people. People. Not Traffic, not Visitors, not Prospects? People.

Don't just post articles on your blogs, post "messages". Forget salesletters on your blog, post "reviews". If you want to include an affiliate link in a post, say so.

How do YOU feel about the product or service you're blogging about? Are you passionate or confident, based on personal experience, that a product is all or more than it's cracked up to be? What's your real opinion on the product? Have any ideas or tips on how that product can be of even more use to your followers?

Blog about it, honestly, passionately. And for heaven sakes enable your blogs commenting feature so you can discuss your views with your community. That's where the real power of blogs is - the personal interaction.

Paul Short is a veteran internet marketer, professional blogging consultant and owns the popular blog directory http://www.getblogs.com For more information on blogging and marketing with blogs, check out Paul's site at http://www.bloglogic.net