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 and XML 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 and XML 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
and XML 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 create website html 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 create website
html 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, create website html 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. |