Last week we discussed using Wordpress to boost your online presence.  One of the benefits to Wordpress over other blogging platforms is definitely the PlugIns!

Here are the Top 10 Plugins I recommend for all Party Plan Divas blogs:

1. Akismet -the ultimate in blocking spam in your comments. Comes with the standard installation of Wordpress.  Before getting started with your blog, take a few moments to configure your Akismet plugin.

2. All In One SEO – The “Out of the Box” SEO solution for Wordpress.

3. Comment Count – Numbers comments to make Giveaways and Contests a breeze!  Use Random.org to select your winning comment number, and choose the Comment Number easily.

4. Contact Form 7 – The easiest solution for collecting information from your readers and guests.  Create custom forms will very basic HTML knowledge.

5. Feedburner Feedsmith – Send your new blog posts via email with Feedburner Feedsmith and a Feedburner account through Google.  This simple plugin creates an Opt-In Form where your readers can sign up easily right from your blog.

6. TweetMeme – Retweet Button.  Allows readers to Tweet an announcement of the post directly from your blog without having to log into Twitter.  Also convenient for Giveaways with “Tweet” entries.

7. Twitme – Automatically sends a message from your Twitter account to alert your followers of a new Blog Post.

8. Twitter Widget – Installs a live feed of your Twitter account to display in your sidebar.

9. Wordpress Gravatars – Assigns an image or “gravatar”  to readers to distinguish them from eachother.  Also shows your gravatar with comments and post throughout the Web.

10.  WP-TwitterBadge – Installs a small “badge” to the right hand side of the screen that links to your Twitter Page.  Gives easy access to your readers and guests to Follow You on Twitter.

There are hundreds of other PlugIns available for Wordpress.  Comment here and let us know YOUR favorite!

. Lynsey Jones, The Party Plan Coach, is the sole owner and operator of PartyPlanDivas.com, the largest online training community built solely for the Party Plan Professional. As a wife and mother of two daughters and four dogs, Lynsey also runs her own Party Plan Business, staying In The Trenches with the Party Plan Industry. You can follow Lynsey on Twitter at twitter.com/partyplandivas. Read more from this author