解:方法一:由a n+1 =2S n +1可得a n =2S n-1 +1(n≥2),两式相减得a n+1 -a n =2a n ,a n+1 =3a n (n≥2).
又a 2 =2S 1 +1=3,
∴a 2 =3a 1 ,故{a n }是首项为1,公比为3的等比数列,
∴a n =3 n-1 .
方法二:由于a n+1 =S n+1 -S n ,
a n+1 =2S n +1,
所以S n+1 -S n =2S n +1,S n+1 =3S n +1,
把这个关系化为S n+1 + =3(S n + ),
即得数列{S n + }为首项是S 1 + = ,
公比是3的等比数列,故S n + = ×3 n-1 = ×3 n ,
故S n = ×3 n - .