RSS content
syndication is a relatively new member of the internet
marketing family of campaign options. And, it seems
as though new uses for RSS content are coming about
very quickly. This is possibly due to recent changes
in the way that major search engines like Yahoo! and
Google want web site owners to advertise.
It seems like it shouldn’t matter to the search engines
– the way you choose to market your website. But, it
does when your link popularity begins to fall due to
too many links on irrelevant web directories, etc. With
RSS content syndication, you will not face that problem.
And the better your content, the better the chances
of increasing your standing with the search engines
(not to mention your site visitors).
RSS feeds are no longer just appearing on the large
news sites in order to show the latest headlines. They
are appearing on internet-enabled cell phones, PDA and
other mobile devices. The reason this is possible is
the simple XML format used to produce the RSS feed.
By using RSS syndication to spread the word about your
site, you are now using one of the best advertising
methods for reaching the “non-traditional” web browsers
installed on these mobile devices.
Anyone familiar with web directory will understand
the approach recommended for RSS syndication that I
will term “many doors.” The many doors approach means
that you are providing several different headlines for
the SAME article! If you have done directory submissions,
or worked with a directory submission service this is
what you provided for anchor text and site descriptions.
So, you can see that while some level of time investment
will be required… you will no longer need to generate
huge numbers of SEO content in order to “trick” the
search engines. As a matter of fact, you will probably
want to concentrate your efforts on providing a few
high-quality relevant articles that will gain and keep
the attention of your site visitors.
You will need to generate content an update your website
frequently if you want your RSS content syndication
technique to be an effective form of marketing. Why?
The answer is simple, but often overlooked by those
publishing RSS content for syndication. When site visitors
become accustomed to looking at an RSS feed for teasers
about new information they can use, and they notice
that there have not been any new additions for a while
they stop looking. If you decide that RSS content syndication
is a good marketing tool for your site, understand that
you are committing a small amount of time in order to
draw and keep your web site traffic.
How often will I need to update? That is a question
frequently asked by those new to the world of RSS marketing.
It really depends on a few things. If you are publishing
content about developments in the stock market, your
readers may expect hourly updates. However, if you are
publishing content on the week’s hottest new movies
you could probably publish once a week and keep your
readers happy. Of course, if you are syndicating RSS
content about new books written on the topic of antique
shoe stretches you may only need to publish content
annually. This also points out another thought to consider.
If your content is so specific that it applies only
to a limited group of people, then either RSS content
syndication is not the right marketing technique for
your web site or you need to expand your content offerings.
If you find your website traffic lacking, why not try
expanding your content to include a broader audience?
When you publish content on your website that you want
your visitors to see, but you also want to make that
same content available to others interested in the same
subject area, RSS feed services provide a great and
inexpensive way to expand your readership!
There are actually new search engines (Example, Feedster)
that are in place with the purpose of allowing people
to search for syndicated content that can be placed
on their RSS feeds in order to provide a service to
their web site visitors. Because there is such a service,
there must be a need for this type of content! Therefore,
listing your syndicated content with sites like Feedster
will enable other web site owners seeking your information
to find it.
Here is a short overview of what you need to do in
order to get your content out there for RSS syndication:
First, you will need to compile a list of the content
articles provided on your website with their headlines,
URL and description. From this list, you will need to
create a simple XML file (RSS format).
Second, you submit the XML file to services that make
RSS syndicated content available for other users.
Third, you wait for approval of your RSS feed from
each of the services.
Fourth, after you are accepted by a site you need to
find out how often they will update their system with
your latest XML RSS feed. You then need to ensure that
you are updating your information at the appropriate
time!
Finally, you need to sit back and enjoy the fruits
of your labor! This is when you will begin to see increased
traffic and sales to your site.
Michelle McClory is an online marketing expert with
5 years of experience who is proud to be a member of
the eByro team. If you would like to explore more Internet
Marketing techniques visit eByro - the Vertical Portal
for Internet Entrepreneurs
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