Question: I find myself using these words *all the time*. 

Now (<-- there's one!), to be clear the context I'm using them is in conversational style writing, on social commentary, or in forum posts like these. It's not formal academic writing, and it's not story telling. (In a fictional story, these words would be perfectly appropriate if used by a character). 

Here's an example where I've used it recently:

> 
> Point four, I think it is realistic that people would have this interpretation. **So** on this point I'll just stress that this blog post is not intended to be malicious or make anyone feel bad. It's more an interesting exploration of social interaction and how best react and navigate it. 
> 
> 
> 

My question is - is this actually an effective writing style, in the sense of being easy to read and persuasive, and if not, how do I get around it?

Answer: 
It really comes down to your discretion, and more will be said later in this answer about that. For now, let's take your example given. To get around using filler words such as **so**, just be more conscientious of it. If you don't want to use them, just cut them out in your editing process. 

The sentence makes perfect sense without it [so]. It's to the point (no pun intended) 

*(without **so** in the beginning)*:

> 
> On this point, I'll just stress that this blog post is not intended to be malicious or make anyone feel bad. 
> 
> 
> 

In social commentary, or forums posts such as these, the editing process is more likely to to be skipped and the writing will be more reflective of our conversational habits. Anyone can see this with a discerning eye. 

According to this [article](https://wordvice.com/avoid-fillers-powerful-writing/), it's OK to use filler words. However, it's also stated that if you want to write powerful sentences avoid filler words. I would deduce that powerful sentences may be more persuasive as well, to answer part of your question.

I'll include another useful [article](https://www.writerightwords.com/10-filler-words/) that gives an example 10 filler words that can be cut from writing (if you chose to do so, and if not, that's apparently OK).

To answer your question, it's up to you whether or not you want to include filler words. Having informal sentence structure may have its advantages or seem relatable due to being more reflective of our common speech habits, but if you want to deliver powerful (effective?) sentences, they aren't necessary - even advised to be avoided.
You could have arguments on either side about this idea.
Some people will argue that using these words, as you say, will give the writing a more conversational style and make the audience feel more comfortable. I believe that this can be an appropriate style of writing for blogs, especially as they are known to be a more casual style of writing than articles written for other publications.

However, in another world of writing, the editor's eye look for any words which do not contribute to the whole of the work. Any 'so's, 'anyway's, or 'Well's (unless you mean that someone is doing well) will be strictly cut. These words have the reader take time to read something which will not contribute to their understanding of the article's meaning.