All Entries Tagged With: "RSS"
Should You Provide RSS Or E-mail Subscriptions
It’s true, many people online do not know about or understand RSS (Really Simple Syndication). They wonder if it’s called RSS then why isn’t it really simple? Well, it really is, but you have to put your mind around it. It can be a challenge at first if you aren’t real sure about it.
Really Simple Syndication started as a way to help content readers get the content they want on a regular basis without having to visit every single website that produces content. If you are a content producer or content publisher then you can expand your readership by offering RSS feeds. But what does that mean?
RSS feeds deliver content to people so that they can read that content in the format in which it was produced without visiting the original source. Content that can be delivered through RSS includes website content, blogs, articles, podcasts, videos, and any other digital content that can be produced in this millennium. So how do you do it?
Well, there are a number of ways, but I’m going to recommend one simple way to do it that doesn’t require a lot of technical knowledge. Open up a Feedburner account and they’ll provide you with code that you can include on your content sources in order to be delivered through RSS. Your subscribers will need a feed reader in order to read the content that is delivered by RSS. But that’s free and easy too!
Of course, they can also subscribe to your content by e-mail – if you offer that (and I recommend that you do). Wouldn’t you know it? Feedburner offers code for e-mail subscriptions as well.
If you really want people to read, listen to, or watch the content that you produce then open up a free Feedburner account and offer your content by subscription.
Why Google Reader Is Superior To Bloglines
I’m continually amazed at the level of thickheadedness off some people online. There are users who will flock to one service solely to ignore another service that is better, but bigger. It seems that some people are so averse to doing business with big that they’d rather be with an inferior service just because. Such is the case with Bloglines.
WebProNews ran a news story saying Bloglines didn’t update any of its blogs one day. Evidently, they’ve been having problems since February 12.
I use Google Reader as my web-based RSS reader because it works. Google Reader has never had a problem. It’s not the only RSS feed reader that is worth having, but it is one of the best web-based feed readers online. Bloglines is owned by Ask.com, fourth in the search engine wars. That’s why some people like it – it’s not Google. That’s fine, but if they can’t provide a useful service then it doesn’t matter that they’re not Google. That’s like driving a Ford because it isn’t a Chevy only to find that your Ford won’t start every other day. You might as well drive a Chevy.
But here’s the kicker: WebProNews writer Doug Caverly feels it necessary to point out that the Google Reader blog hasn’t been updated in 18 days, as if that’s going to make a difference. His article began by pointing out that Bloglines hasn’t issued a press release since June 2005. I want to know what either of these two facts have to do about the issue of an RSS aggregator not working properly? People don’t use the product because they’re being communicated with properly. They use the product because it delivers quality service – Google Reader does, Bloglines doesn’t. Communication is only necessary when the product doesn’t work properly – again, Google Reader does, Bloglines doesn’t. It sounds like Bloglines not only has a techical issue, but they have a PR issue as well. Google Reader has no issues. Why bring up the non-existent?
Blog Marketing: How A Newsletter Can Increase Your Blog’s Traffic
How are you promoting your blog?
Just like any other kind of marketing, blog marketing requires a strategy. You can add your blog to blog directories (and you should) and hope for more traffic. You can trackback and leave comments on other blogs (and you should). You can also purchase banner advertising or exchange links and banners with other bloggers. All of that is well and good, but how about regular readers? How about “touch and go?”
It takes 7 times of “touching” a potential customer with your message before they act on it. So what 7 ways are you reaching them?
One way should be with a blog marketing newsletter. The point is to drive traffic to your blog using a simple newsletter as a tool. The way it works is like this:
You include a summary of your blog posts from the past week in each issue of your newsletter. Then you link that summary to the appropriate blog post to get your newsletter readers back to your blog to read it. Why would you do that?
Not everyone uses RSS feeds. Many of your blog readers may not be familiar with RSS. They may not understand it or be afraid to try it because they aren’t familiar with the technology. But everyone understand e-mail. By placing an opt-in box on your blog and your website and inviting people to sign up for your newsletter, you can keep those people informed of your latest blog posts and invite them back to read your blog every week.
Find out more about the blog marketing newsletter by calling 717-528-4005 or 786-317-8774.
