Background

You cannot browse serious websites today without seeing those little buttons on websites labeled RSS and less frequently, XML. If you are wondering what they are, RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication. Really simple because when you subscribe to a site that has this service, you are kept up-to-date about new content on the site without having to check the site every day.

You can use RSS to get newsfeeds from major news networks, or  new information covering just about any topic that interests you.

Why is this relevant to website publishers?

I’m going to assume that your site is designed to get potential customers or clients to spend money with you, right? And I also assume that you update your site content regularly.

If these assumptions do not apply to you then you are probably not ready for RSS!

If my assumptions are right, read on because adopting RSS will increase the returns from your site, and probably reduce the time you have to spend on getting those returns!

What RSS does for a publisher

By adding an RSS feed to your site, you will immediately gain access to a sophisticated market segment of your visitors who do not subscribe to Newsletters (most visitors are suspicious of publishers who ask for their email address, and many believe that your Newsletter will be just another marketing blurb cluttering their inbox).

But, subscribing to a site’s RSS feed lets the visitor be advised of new content in their Newsreader, a special software application which collects and displays news from any sites which are of interest to them.

For this reason, Newsreaders are also referred to as Aggregators.

Newsreaders or Aggregators

If you haven’t done so already, you should download a free RSS reader to experience what your visitors are looking for.

If you use a Windows PC, try RSSReader

For Mac users, try Ranchero

Subscribing to RSS services

Next time you are looking at a site with content which interests you, here’s what to do…

Right-click (control-click for Mac users) on the RSS button on a site, blog or news source. Select Copy Shortcut (“Copy Link to Clipboard” for Mac, “Copy Link Location” for Firefox browsers), and paste that URL into your RSS Reader. And that is it, you are subscribed. Once you get started, your favorite parts of the Web come to you. No need to go out and check for updates all the time.

Other ways to get RSS content

If you do not want to download software, you can subscribe to RSS feeds through web based aggregators like My Yahoo or My MSN.

Or you can get RSS content delivered right to your inbox using my “RSS:Forward service”:http://rssforward.net

So how does any of this create you money?

More traffic means extra cash. By placing RSS on your website or your blog, visitors can subscribe automatically and be informed when a new product or service, or new content, is available.

Do not overlook this new breed of Internet shopper. Set up your RSS feed to generate higher levels of return traffic from visitors who find your site interesting and relevant.

How do you add RSS for your site!

If you have a webmaster managing your site, ask them to tell you what is needed to add a feed to your site. This might be easier than you think as many content management systems (CMS) have a feed generator built in.

If you are a self-publisher, you’ll need to do more research. Try this site for a comprehensive source of RSS and Blog information. Also, make sure you are subscribed to my RSS feed as I’ll be covering this topic in future articles!

Conclusion

There is no need to become a techie to become a RSS publisher. You just need to know enough about this newest technology to use it.

Once you do, it is easy to see how you make money online with RSS. In the same way newsletters and opt-in email are used for successful marketing, RSS is often easier, faster, and a much less intrusive way to communicate with your potential or existing clients and customers.