The Crash Course About RSS News Feeds
If you're new to RSS and Feed syndication on the web, we hope this page offers a straightforward exploration of the purpose and promise that these changes are bringing to: marketing, internet publishing, communication, how consumers gather and read information, and how people browse the internet. You do not want to be left behind on this technology. RSS is changing the landscape of the internet. It is the biggest innovation on the web since the invention of the browser.
What is RSS?
"RSS" stands for Really Simple Syndication. RSS is a standard for publishing regular updates to your target audience via the web. It is a very powerful medium to deliver content to your target market. Using this standard, Web publishers provide updates, such as the latest news in your niche, or product releases, company news, product specials, and general communication on any relevant topic to your target market. Meanwhile, consumers use RSS reader applications (or one of a growing number of online services) to collect and monitor their favorite feeds in one place (RSS content from a publisher, viewed in one of these readers, is often called a "feed" think of it as a "Broadcast Channel".
Consumer Bottom Line: RSS makes reviewing a large number of sites in a very short time possible. It also allows you to "tune in" and subscribe to RSS feeds from sites that will give you the information you desire. You never have to give away your email or be concerned about your privacy when subscribing to an rss feed.
Publisher Bottom Line: RSS permits instant distribution of content updates to consumers. It is the ultimate communication channel. None of the hassles of email, spam filters, overstuffed email inboxes. The bottom line is your message gets to your target audience, in the way they want it. It also allows your target market to find your site in ways never before possible (feed directories, search engines, etc.). It also allows users to put your feed content directly onto their MSN & Yahoo homepage (right next to AP, Rueters, BBC, and all the media big boys)
Who publishes RSS feeds?
Some of the biggest names on the web now offer content using RSS feeds:
In addition, thousands of web sites publish feeds to keep themselves better connected to their readers/customers/prospects. RSS Feeds for small, mid-sized and large business are embracing RSS as the way to communicate to thier target audience. By the end of 2005, we feel that the number of top-tier sites not syndicating any content will be in the minority.
How do I read RSS Feeds?
If you want to collect and browse feeds you have many choices. There are two primary categories of feed reading applications: installable desktop programs and online services. There are many desktop applications for Windows and Mac OS system users, our recommendations are FeedDemon (Windows) and NetNewsWire (Mac OS X). Both require a small purchase price but are tops for ease of use and a great user experience. You can also find many free feed readers by doing a search on Google or Yahoo.
If you would prefer to use web based RSS Feed reader (aggregator) to read your feeds, you have the advantage of being able to access your feed anywhere you use a web browser. Also, any upgrades or new features are added automatically. The trade-off comes in different (some would say fewer) features and slightly slower performance versus desktop systems. NewsGator, Bloglines, and MyFeedster, are probably the three best-known examples of web-based feed reading services.
How can I publish my own RSS Feed?
Use MyRSSCreator.com It is simply the easiest way to create a RSS Feed Channel. All the techno wizardry is under the hood. We make it very simple. If you can send email, then you can create a feed channel for your target market.
The service allows you to publish, manage, submit, (plus a whole lot more) your RSS Feed for your business. Try it our for 14 days at no risk.
The Future of RSS
2005 is the year that RSS will hit the mainstream. RSS will gain whole new levels of fun/utility/value once it moves beyond just text and links. RSS is currently being used with great success in helping companies to boost thier business online. Companies are using RSS for the following purposes.
- Providing Value Added Infomation
- Newsletters
- Press Releases
- Product Announcements
- Product Reviews
- Company News
- Commerce Promotion
- Audio Files
- Video Files
- PDF & White papers
- ...And much more
OK. This is all great. But If I want to boost my business why should I even care about RSS feeds?
Why do I need a Feed? Oh, there are about 100 reasons why you should have a feed, but we will limit it to the top 9 here. You should have an RSS feed for your business to:
- Communicate with clients,customers, team members, prospects, friends, co-workers,
- Promote your business
- Market your business
- Market your website
- Compliment your newsletter
- Put your info on peoples MSN & Yahoo home page
- Allow people to find your site via search engines & RSS Feed Directories
- Drive traffic to your website
- Your market will want information from feeds...don't miss this window of opportunity
...That's just a few of the reasons. Are you starting to see why you need an RSS feed to communicate with your target market?
Do I need a Website for a Feed? No. Many people will tell you that you actually need a website to have an RSS feed. Not True! You can simply use our service. We host everything required for you. But if you have a website, we do all the hard work for you. You just cut and paste a piece of code and you are done. Our wizard does all the hard work of creation, submission, and search engine pinging, and creation of subscription tools. Our service works just fine in conjunction with your website.
What are the benefits of a having feed?
- An unfiltered/guaranteed way to reach your subscribers or target market.
- A potentially higher search engine ranking.
- An easy way to keep your website fresh with new content.
- Another way to get listed with the search engines & RSS directories and have people find your RSS feed and website easily
How popular are feeds?
- Very Popular: 35 million users at last count. They are just starting to reach the mainstream.
- Currently the growth rate is exponential.
- Feed usage and readership is Doubling Every Month.
- This is the hottest communication trend online.
- RSS Feeds are replacing email as a marketing & Communication tool
- People are using feeds to get the information that they want instead of searching for it and then having to go to many websites.
- Feeds are a huge timesaver for people using the internet.
How do I get started? Simply create a free trial account. You will not be billed for the first 14 days. Try it out at no risk, after 14 days you will be billed once a month for the service. Cancel at any time.