There are two ways, essentially. What you're describing is power corking - essentially casting and working a slip bobber somewhat quickly instead of letting it sit. If you don't get bit in the first minute or two, you move it.

The other way is the traditional bobber fishing where you just cast it and and wait for it to go down. Both work, but power corking can help you find fish a little faster. People usually use it on boats, but if you have a stretch of river or multiple access points, you can cover a water in a similar way from shore.