Well , Once you install it, do not change any settings that refer to the way the urls are submitted, except for date and time format.
Because you make it not show a date and somehow , no one comes to your site. do not under any circumstances change that after. because all your submitted links prior to change, will be dead.
Pings, well you are best off using feed burner or ping-o-matic.
They know the right places. but you can submit via This WordPress Ping List.
That works also, just to much at once get you blacklisted from searches, especially if qny of those use the same serves.
Write short titles.. Ironic I know, this post has a huge title.
Keep tags correct, and keep Categories full and precise, or no one will find you when they search.
Write well enough, they might just bookmark you.
Good luck and happy writing.