RSS Newbies; A Quick Tutorial

"RSS" stands "Really Simple Syndication". It a new way distribute content. Any content: websites, blogs, forums, etc.To explain what this means, once let's start at end.

Content from RSS feeds can be displayed by an RSS newsreader.
You I, end-users or consumers content, can read by installing a newsreader (more this below). You have put an URL an RSS feed into newsreader (like you put a web address your browser).

You can recognize these RSS feed URL's by a little orange graphic displaying RSS or XML. If you click such graphic with your right-mouse button you can copy its URL (copy ShortCut) paste into your newsreader. (Some sites might simply have a text "RSS" or "Syndicate" link which basically same.)

With URL, newsreader (when you are online) picks up RSS feed available at URL, reads feed data displays reader.

The RSS feed itself contains information about titles, descriptions other data about publisher's content. It written a special language (XML/RSS, easy learn!), but that's out scope this article.

And finally RSS feed made up by publisher content. Most time their software does job. And very often this software used combination with blogs. That's why lots people mix them up. Now, end confusion, get this:
- a blog content like a website or article while
- RSS a way distribute content

The main RSS benefits end-users or consumers
The main benefit an end-user or consumer RSS we can subscribe content provided by publishers WITHOUT giving out personal data like email address.

That's why Ken Evoy SiteSell calls 'Real Simple Subscribing'. Of course same applies unsubscribing. Simply delete RSS URL from your reader you don't receive messages from any more.
Finally end-user control. The content coming her without visiting a website. That makes easy scan only visit those sites with promising information.

As a consequence publisher better submit quality content his RSS. Otherwise nobody will read it. So that's another big benefit!

An extra benefit us we often are allowed post comments or feedback.
Because search engines just love RSS blogs, they will visit them frequently index any new content. In most cases you may add your URL comment post means a link back your site!
So, if you find a good blog, just enter a message feedback section see what happens.

And there's benefit speed. In this fast moving world we want everything NOW. Well, soon a publisher changes content we can receive (if you have your reader online).

Are there any disadvantages?
Could be. When you start use your reader may be a bit 'overwhelming' like first time you searched Net, remember? 'Click here, click there, click this, click ..... oops, what was again I was looking for?

If you subscribe every promising feed you'll encounter, you may very soon suffer from good old 'information overload'. Such problem easily solved by deleting feeds start all over again, this time more targeted. Below I have an outstanding resource search relevant feeds, so read on!

Another disadvantage may be impersonal character feeds. There's no interaction unless you visit publisher's site.And there's no way RSS will be used payment receipts purchases answers questions asked. It simply isn't a one-to-one communication system. It's only consuming information.

So, will RSS replace email or newsletters (ezines)?
Absolutely NOT!
While RSS an outstanding way distribute content, will always be very public. It's not a one-to-one communication medium. You can not build a relationship with your readers, you can't personalize you can't reward your subscribers trusting you, simply because you don't know who they are.

See RSS another way collect information. That's all is.
And maybe a way ban spam because readers are control subscribe unsubscribe process. We sign up feeds drop feeds anonymously. Remember, if publishers send out poor information, no-one will read it.
Wow, another big benefit!.

But real information, communication with my readers, I still use my newsletter. I want use provide real insiders information. (I intend even go one step further, but that's another issue. Keep subscribed you will learn more next few weeks!)

That's what any serious marketer will do. So, if you only subscribe newsletters from trusted companies individuals sign up RSS feeds more general information, chances are your email box will remain free spam loaded with useful, more personal publisher information.

Download your reader
RSS readers are also called "RSS aggregators" or "news aggregators". Here are a few popular ones:
http://feedreader.com
http://pluck.com/
http://www.rssreader.com/
http://ranchero.com/netnewswire/ (for Mac users)
http://my.yahoo.com/ (a client-side reader, is, you can read feeds at your MyYahoo site; you'll need register)

There are many more, these are just examples get you started.
I strongly suggest go out there find some interesting feeds. So .....

How find interesting RSS feeds?
There are many directories RSS feeds already you can browse find something interest. I will list a few them below, but if you're looking specific information then you better use an extraordinary outstanding search tool.
A tool you can always use, because covers almost everything about searching search terms.

But this case we concentrate RSS feeds only. It's a little window you can keep alive your screen. Here's how works:

* Click this Search Link open a little window (don't forget bookmark it!)

* Next click Search It little window! A new little window pops up.

* In new window select 'Reference Library Content' Step 1. Next select anything with RSS Step 2.

* If you've done I suggest you click 'Click Here Information About Search Type' center window get more help.

* Finally enter your keywords Step 3 hit Search It!

Easy uh? I told you this an outstanding tool!

Other resources:
http://www.feedster.com/
http://directory.google.com/Top/Computers/Internet/On_the_Web/Weblogs/
http://w.moreover.com/main_site/content/index.html
http://www.syndic8.com/

Now go out find some interesting feeds.

That's today.
Wish you success.
Case Stevens

Case Stevens, owner AnOwnSite Online Marketing, experimenting with different marketing techniques, websites, traffic lead generation. He publishes his experiences a newsletter featuring understandable, successful low cost Internet marketing techniques, ideas strategies, articles, news, tips & tricks interesting (free) downloads.

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