Sandra,
Well...keep pinging, because it still performs an important function when it comes to blogging, but because everyone is doing it...it just doesn't provide the edge it used to.
Social sites are a good way to market your blog.
Digg.com, Squidoo, del.icio.us, and more...
But...here is a good way to get started for FREE...
Read The Authority Black Book by Jack Humphrey.
http://www.authorityblackbook.com/
Enjoy !