10 Of The Best RSS Tips
Author: Danny Wirken
Author: Danny Wirken
RSS is not for everybody in the same way as all other mediums
of technology are. However by far, RSS is considered the most
reliable content delivery channel there is. It is also believed
to be able to increase search engine rankings, enhance e-mail
marketing and builds on that relationship, generates media
coverage through content syndication, develop on-line
conversations and a whole lot more of possibilities. As such,
its users should be able to maximize its use for their greater
benefit and convenience. Here's how:
1. Use the RSS initially as an end-user.
The first step in any worthwhile activity is understanding the
intricacies of how it works. It would be impossible to fully
comprehend anything without having the benefit of actual
experience in using it. One can get an RSS aggregator as there
is a variety of providers to choose from. Among the most
popular and highly recommended are My Yahoo!, Bloglines,
Firefox and NetNews Wire. Subscribing to other RSS feeds can
immediately hasten the learning process.
2. Set up a plan for your RSS feeds.
Planning one's RSS feeds is very important since it can be used
for various purposes of the user. An RSS feed may be needed for
e-zines, news section and articles. Other opportunities
available in RSS includes follow-up RSS feeds, feeds for
affiliates, feeds for employees or business partners, feeds for
the media and many others. A technology that is capable of such
diverse application requires organization and order.
3. Make a list of RSS Marketing Requirements.
There are several basic questions that need to be taken into
consideration when you push to publish your feeds. Some of
which includes whether RSS publishing is to be integrated with
existing content management system, whether your feed requires
personalization particularly the RSS content or whether you
would want to provide subscribers with the ability to select
the content they would prefer to receive. Other considerations
are the RSS metrics desired, the host of the feeds and the
budget.
4. Choose among available publishing tools in creating a feed.
Marketing and publishing tools come in a few general categories
namely desktop feed generation tools, hosted on-line RSS
publishing solutions, advanced RSS marketing solutions plus a
few other options. Desktops software is relatively inexpensive
and is quick and easy to use in generating RSS feeds but
generally does not allow for more advanced features. A basic
hosted on-line RSS publishing solution can be chosen to avoid
being bothered by a desktop tool and the constant upload of
your RSS feeds to your server. The more advanced RSS marketing
solutions which include additional capabilities such as
metrics, scheduled autoresponder messages, database building
capabilities and the like. Other options would include the use
of an existing content management system to publish RSS feeds
or a blog publishing solution.
5. Be sure to promote your RSS feeds through your own channels.
This is best done through the creation of an RSS presentation
page which should contain an explanation of what an RSS is, the
benefits to be expected from it use, recommendation of a free
RSS aggregator, the manner of subscribing to these feeds and
the reason why people should subscribe to your RSS feeds. The
same page can also include the links to all your other RSS
feeds as well as direct links for subscriptions to relevant
services. This page is to be promoted as much as possible in
all available channels such as the e-zine subscription box,
e-mail messages and e-zine issues. For more than one published
RSS feed, each can be promoted next to their topics on the
site. It should be remembered that nothing is more effective
than a compelling copy in convincing people to subscribe.
6. Promote your feeds as well through external channels.
This can be done by submitting your feeds to appropriate search
engines and directories where the best lists are found. The RSS
aggregator sites should be pinged every time an update is done
to the on-line content. Your feed content can also be
syndicated to other web media.
7. Allow syndication of your RSS feed.
RSS as one of the potent marketing channels needs to be used to
leverage the most out of its format. Allowing others to take
your RSS feed and use it to refurbish your news in their
homepage will work to your advantage. In fact, it should be
encouraged by providing short stories or simple explanations of
how easy it is to search, filter and aggregate content from
various RSS feeds as well as create dedicated news channels.
8. People who adopt RSS are in it primarily for the
information.
No one in particular would want to adopt RSS. The people who do
are in it for the timely information they get in a controlled
and organized way that helps them become better either at their
work or their personal life. The tremendous volume of
information and news available through RSS is very hard to
ignore.
9. RSS, Blog, E-zines and E-mail can work together.
Most marketers still depend mostly on e-mail as their key
marketing and communication tool. However, getting e-mail
through is becoming increasingly difficult due to spam filters
and spam itself. RSS has become the essential element to e-mail
delivery at a time where many Internet users choose to ignore
e-mail subscriptions and subscribe only to RSS content. Blogs
and e-zines are concerned with the content and what is
published on-line. RSS and e-mail are concerned with getting
the information to the reader. One is not intended to replace
the other but rather to work hand in hand together,
10. Use RSS potential for providing value in market research.
RSS holds much potential when it comes to its capability in
reaching new customers. However, the best approach is to walk
carefully rather than running head-on as there is much danger
in over-hyping this medium. Patience would be a required virtue
especially for companies that have sophisticated reporting
systems. Advertisers should refrain from the annoying practice
of placing an ad after every item. They would do well to
observe the best practice guidelines for RSS advertising.
The RSS promises to provide to end-users a unified
one-stop-shop for consumption of on-line content. It hopes to
do away with the need to visit several sites each day just to
see what's new. On-line subscriptions will no longer interfere
with personal and business e-mail communications.
It likewise promises to give its users complete control over
their content consumption. They even have the option to
unsubscribe from content they do not wish to receive. Breaking
news is received as it becomes available. There is absolutely
no need to wait for worrisome recaps sent to their e-mail
addresses.
RSS makes possible the certainty of receiving the content users
would want without the inconvenience brought about by spam
filters. It also has the ability to receive content directly to
desktops including audio and video content. To sum it up, RSS
provide the tool that makes the user's lives so much easier
with its important advancements that can change how Internet
content is consumed.
About The Author: http://www.theinternetone.net
of technology are. However by far, RSS is considered the most
reliable content delivery channel there is. It is also believed
to be able to increase search engine rankings, enhance e-mail
marketing and builds on that relationship, generates media
coverage through content syndication, develop on-line
conversations and a whole lot more of possibilities. As such,
its users should be able to maximize its use for their greater
benefit and convenience. Here's how:
1. Use the RSS initially as an end-user.
The first step in any worthwhile activity is understanding the
intricacies of how it works. It would be impossible to fully
comprehend anything without having the benefit of actual
experience in using it. One can get an RSS aggregator as there
is a variety of providers to choose from. Among the most
popular and highly recommended are My Yahoo!, Bloglines,
Firefox and NetNews Wire. Subscribing to other RSS feeds can
immediately hasten the learning process.
2. Set up a plan for your RSS feeds.
Planning one's RSS feeds is very important since it can be used
for various purposes of the user. An RSS feed may be needed for
e-zines, news section and articles. Other opportunities
available in RSS includes follow-up RSS feeds, feeds for
affiliates, feeds for employees or business partners, feeds for
the media and many others. A technology that is capable of such
diverse application requires organization and order.
3. Make a list of RSS Marketing Requirements.
There are several basic questions that need to be taken into
consideration when you push to publish your feeds. Some of
which includes whether RSS publishing is to be integrated with
existing content management system, whether your feed requires
personalization particularly the RSS content or whether you
would want to provide subscribers with the ability to select
the content they would prefer to receive. Other considerations
are the RSS metrics desired, the host of the feeds and the
budget.
4. Choose among available publishing tools in creating a feed.
Marketing and publishing tools come in a few general categories
namely desktop feed generation tools, hosted on-line RSS
publishing solutions, advanced RSS marketing solutions plus a
few other options. Desktops software is relatively inexpensive
and is quick and easy to use in generating RSS feeds but
generally does not allow for more advanced features. A basic
hosted on-line RSS publishing solution can be chosen to avoid
being bothered by a desktop tool and the constant upload of
your RSS feeds to your server. The more advanced RSS marketing
solutions which include additional capabilities such as
metrics, scheduled autoresponder messages, database building
capabilities and the like. Other options would include the use
of an existing content management system to publish RSS feeds
or a blog publishing solution.
5. Be sure to promote your RSS feeds through your own channels.
This is best done through the creation of an RSS presentation
page which should contain an explanation of what an RSS is, the
benefits to be expected from it use, recommendation of a free
RSS aggregator, the manner of subscribing to these feeds and
the reason why people should subscribe to your RSS feeds. The
same page can also include the links to all your other RSS
feeds as well as direct links for subscriptions to relevant
services. This page is to be promoted as much as possible in
all available channels such as the e-zine subscription box,
e-mail messages and e-zine issues. For more than one published
RSS feed, each can be promoted next to their topics on the
site. It should be remembered that nothing is more effective
than a compelling copy in convincing people to subscribe.
6. Promote your feeds as well through external channels.
This can be done by submitting your feeds to appropriate search
engines and directories where the best lists are found. The RSS
aggregator sites should be pinged every time an update is done
to the on-line content. Your feed content can also be
syndicated to other web media.
7. Allow syndication of your RSS feed.
RSS as one of the potent marketing channels needs to be used to
leverage the most out of its format. Allowing others to take
your RSS feed and use it to refurbish your news in their
homepage will work to your advantage. In fact, it should be
encouraged by providing short stories or simple explanations of
how easy it is to search, filter and aggregate content from
various RSS feeds as well as create dedicated news channels.
8. People who adopt RSS are in it primarily for the
information.
No one in particular would want to adopt RSS. The people who do
are in it for the timely information they get in a controlled
and organized way that helps them become better either at their
work or their personal life. The tremendous volume of
information and news available through RSS is very hard to
ignore.
9. RSS, Blog, E-zines and E-mail can work together.
Most marketers still depend mostly on e-mail as their key
marketing and communication tool. However, getting e-mail
through is becoming increasingly difficult due to spam filters
and spam itself. RSS has become the essential element to e-mail
delivery at a time where many Internet users choose to ignore
e-mail subscriptions and subscribe only to RSS content. Blogs
and e-zines are concerned with the content and what is
published on-line. RSS and e-mail are concerned with getting
the information to the reader. One is not intended to replace
the other but rather to work hand in hand together,
10. Use RSS potential for providing value in market research.
RSS holds much potential when it comes to its capability in
reaching new customers. However, the best approach is to walk
carefully rather than running head-on as there is much danger
in over-hyping this medium. Patience would be a required virtue
especially for companies that have sophisticated reporting
systems. Advertisers should refrain from the annoying practice
of placing an ad after every item. They would do well to
observe the best practice guidelines for RSS advertising.
The RSS promises to provide to end-users a unified
one-stop-shop for consumption of on-line content. It hopes to
do away with the need to visit several sites each day just to
see what's new. On-line subscriptions will no longer interfere
with personal and business e-mail communications.
It likewise promises to give its users complete control over
their content consumption. They even have the option to
unsubscribe from content they do not wish to receive. Breaking
news is received as it becomes available. There is absolutely
no need to wait for worrisome recaps sent to their e-mail
addresses.
RSS makes possible the certainty of receiving the content users
would want without the inconvenience brought about by spam
filters. It also has the ability to receive content directly to
desktops including audio and video content. To sum it up, RSS
provide the tool that makes the user's lives so much easier
with its important advancements that can change how Internet
content is consumed.
About The Author: http://www.theinternetone.net
