RSS, or Really Simple Syndication is a group of technologies for syndicating web content like blog entries, news, podcasts and announcements. Got a favourite website or blog you want to keep up-to-date on? Or like most people, do you have a handful of favourite sites to keep track of? RSS allows you to check for updates and download them automatically – without visiting the site.

Like blogs, RSS feeds have grown explosively in the past few years. According to Jupiter Research, 30% of marketers have implemented RSS feeds, due to customer demand.

The content of an RSS feed, called RSS Content, is read using special software, called and Aggregator. Aggregators can be a website, like CNN or Yahoo, a software application. Popular Aggregator software are Feedburner or AmphetaDesk. In addition, many popular software programs have a RSS Aggregator built-in or available as a plug-in.

How Can I use RSS feeds?

Keep up to date. Keeping track of information, updating information and organization are important skills in the information age. RSS Aggregator software can assist with all of these tasks. And because tracking blogs and websites is so each and fast, the number of blogs that you can track is substantially higher.

Expand your Reach. If you own a blog, publish information, or update your website frequently, RSS feeds can dramatically expand your reach. Every time you post to your blog, your posting automatically goes out to everyone that has subscribed to you RSS feed, so you reach not only everyone that visits your blog, but past visitors who have subscribed.

Subscribing to an RSS feed is very similar to subscribing to an email newsletter but has some important differences. Subscribing to an email newsletter requires an email address which discourages many potential subscribers. And with the increasing amount of spam, many newsletters have low subscription rates because potential subscribers fear spam or newsletters are incorrectly deleted as spam, when they are not.

What should I publish on my RSS feed?

Many of the most popular blog entries are list oriented. For example, “10 best” or ‘Top 10” or “10 worst.” List oriented content tends to do very well. But that’s not all! If you have some expertise in a specialized field, there are most likely hundreds of other enthusiasts out there who are just as passionate.

The more specialized your niche, the better. Example of specialized content are, Different types of Fishing (e.g. Salmon, Bass, Steelhead etc.), dog training, Mountain bike riding or equipment. Tapping into these specialized areas, with authoritative knowledge and expertise, can increase your exposure substantially.

Another example of a business RSS feed is real estate listings. For home buyers tracking new listings, a local real estate feed is invaluable. For Realtors, an RSS feed provides a valuable ‘free’ service to prospective clients with very little if any overhead. Similar services for Jobs, local or specialized news, and Travel agents are just as important to the users and providers.

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