As we approach web 2.0 we need to attack readers and users to make their life simple. Readers do not want to always go to your web page especially if its nothing they do not find anything interesting. Why do you think more users search Google or Yahoo to find what they are looking for. The internet is JUST FULL of information usually there is no favorite site no more unless your content is very specific and enticing.
Information on the internet is a great source to gather knowledge than someone who doesn't because we always want to better ourselves.
Well, what is RSS? Wikipedia defines it:
RSS is a family of web feed formats used to publish frequently updated content such as blog entries, news headlines or podcasts. An RSS document, which is called a "feed," "web feed," or "channel," contains either a summary of content from an associated web site or the full text. RSS makes it possible for people to keep up with their favorite web sites in an automated manner that's easier than checking them manually.
RSS content can be read using software called a "feed reader" or an "aggregator." The user subscribes to a feed by entering the feed's link into the reader or by clicking an RSS icon in a browser that initiates the subscription process. The reader checks the user's subscribed feeds regularly for new content, downloading any updates that it finds.
The initials "RSS" are used to refer to the following formats:
Really Simple Syndication (RSS 2.0)
- RDF Site Summary (RSS 1.0 and RSS 0.90)
- Rich Site Summary (RSS 0.91)
- RSS formats are specified using XML, a generic specification for the creation of data formats.
Why do we need to build our subscribers?
I was reading from Dosh Dosh blog, on reasons why to build your subscriber base. Dosh Dosh simply says as the introduction:
Subscribing to a web feed allows one to centralize a large number of websites and monitor them through a feed reader, which is a basically a funnel which channels content right to your browser window or desktop.
This makes it so much easier for readers to just simply browse your topics and if they find anything interesting they will visit your blog and read your topic. Most readers tend to have multiple RSS feeds, as myself. I browse the topics of each site that I find informative, and if the site as a whole interest me I subscribe.
This is very simple and helps me easily browse their topics, instead of me going to their webpage and maybe find nothing interesting me that day.
Those who engage in RSS feeds are usually on it because they know that they can actually benefit with the information that they can get from the RSS feeds.
That is good to hear but how do I build my RSS?
Darren from ProBlogger publsihed a guest post from Trent in which he explains 10 techniques on how to grow your RSS subscribers. One of Trents advice is:
The most valuable content that a blogger can create is the type of content that readers want to come back to time and time again and also that they want to share with others. These pieces will continually provide value to you, and the surest way to identify such content is to know how many people have saved a particular post at del.icio.us.
As so many internet marketers say "Content is King!" You need to make this happen, researching what readers actually want to reader and learn about. I do this by reading forums, getting stats from my website, etc. The more information I have the more I know what to write, what product to create, etc. You are providing information to the readers because they want to know more!
Trent's list compromise of:
- Lay some ground work before starting
- Listen to Del.icio.us.
- Find your community
- Immerse yourself in a bookmarking site
- Do not Give into Negative
- Keep and Idea Box
- Clear your schedule when you are in the flow
- Keep a posting schedule
- Get ahead, Don't Fall Behind
- Email Readers as Much as Possible
These 10 techniques I can agree too. These are basic and can be easily done.
Another aspect of RSS is treating new users and returning users. In which I use WWSGD (What Would Seth Godin Do), a plugin for wordpress which puts a box to new readers saying if they like what they are reading to subscribe to my RSS Feed. It is a great plugin to attract new subscribers.
In order to grab RSS subscribers of course you will need traffic. Without traffic no one really sees your site among the billions of websites that are out there. In which you will need to start creating content that is very unique and intriguing. The best and easiest way of grabbing traffic are from social networks. Social Networking is really going to help up your traffic and at the same time you can meet other people that are trying to build up their website.
When writing original unique content be passionate about your writing, your readers can pick up straight away of you are not passionate about a topic. If you do not like your topic DO NOT WRITE ABOUT IT! You want to write about something that you like. In my opinion if you write about something you do not like or enjoy, there is no style of writing - your writing will be more an opinionated answer.
