RSS, which stands for "Really Simple Syndication," allows
users to deliver articles, announcements or alerts to
readers who subscribe to RSS feeds. The feeds are delivered
automatically to an email inbox or a Web browser. RSS also
allows people to add links to your content within their own
Web pages. Primary uses of RSS, which has become the
standard for syndicating content across the web, include:
1. Displaying news headlines or content from other Web
sites on your site
2. Improving search engine visibility for your Web site or
blog
3. Automatically notifying your customers about new content
on your site
Here are some tips and tactics to help you sort it out:
Determine the content you wish to syndicate
RSS is a quick and easy way to distribute or "push" your
content to subscribers. Your feeds could include product
news, announcements, press releases or new blog posts.
Links and resources: Mnot.net offers an RSS tutorial and
suggestions for RSS content.
Create and publish your feed
Your Web site's content management system or your blog
publishing software may already have a built-in option to
generate an RSS feed. Otherwise, there are several feed
providers you can use.
Links and resources: FeedForAll is an inexpensive and
user-friendly RSS feed creation tool. Others include
Simplefeed and PRESSfeed.
Publicize/promote your feed
Include a "subscribe" or RSS button to your site or blog.
Be sure to register your feed with various RSS directories.
Links and resources: You can download the ubiquitous "RSS"
button at FeedForAll. Submit the feed to RSS directories
and search engines with KSoft's RSS Submit software. Review
a large RSS directory at the RSS Specifications site.
Use tools to optimize your RSS feeds
Use RSS feed validators to determine if your feed is valid,
meaning it has been translated to code so it works
properly. You don't need to know code, you simply enter the
address of your feed and the "validator" does the rest.
Links and resources: Validate your feed with RSS Validator
or Feed Validator. Lockergnome features tips and
techniques. Track your feed Need to know how many people
are subscribing to your RSS feed? Measurement and
analytical tools are available from several resources.
Links and resources: SyndicateIQ offers management and
measurement of syndicated content. Nooked can also track
results of an RSS campaign.
Additional Tips & Tactics: - Your feed title is your
headline and your hook. Use it to attract interest.
- A description is your "teaser" copy that should convince
the reader to click through to the full article or entry.
- Include an image or graphic to make your feed more
visually compelling.
- Be sure to subscribe to your own feed so you can see how
it looks.
- Include "AddToMyYahoo" and "MyMSN" buttons on your site
to expand distribution.
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Lou Bortone is an award-winning writer, marketer and
television producer who spent over 20 years in the
television industry, including several years as Senior Vice
President of Marketing & Advertising for Fox Family
Worldwide in L.A. Today, Lou specializes in helping
entrepreneurs create breakthrough video for the Internet.
Check out his new collection of marketing and promotion
"how-to" reports at http://www.BizBoosterSeries.com .
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