Blogs - Using RSS feeds with your blog

RSS feeds are fast replacing email marketing and newsletters for people doing business on the Internet. RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication, although you might find a few other meanings to the acronym. It is a process by which you could place a feed on websites that can read RSS from your directory.

Information distribution has been made much simpler with the advent by RSS. Using RSS gives you the ability to have your headlines posted to other peoples websites or blogs which will give your business more exposure. Because we know that marketing is a numbers game this is another effective tool for your arsenal.

RSS is an XML-based application. XML is similar in a way to HTML which we all know is the most common website creator application. Rss feeds are delived from a directory that feeds the headlines into websites or blogs that have an RSS reader. Creating an RSS feed would definitely help boost your exposure and possible your sales.

There are three main steps you need to follow to create your own RSS feed...

Create a file for your feed.
Using the proper format you create the XML version of your feed. It should include the title or the headline, the body’s short description, and the link where it can be read. There are a lot of different RSS web channel editors you can use for this. Some programs just require you to write news and articles down on a notepad and when placed on the editor it will show up with the necessary formatting ready for upload. It would be advisable to make at least ten articles for your feed.

Save and Upload the file.
After creating your file save your work as an XML, RSS, or an RDF file. You are now ready to upload it. Upload the file using your FTP program and place it on your web server. This process now makes the file readable by RSS news aggregators.

Validate the file.
Make your RSS program error-free. RSS is programming so errors could exist so it is important to validate your new feed. There are different programs available that can assist you in this process. You need to place the saved and uploaded RSS file for the program to test it against wrong and missed code and tags. Doing this ensures that your feed is readable and usable.

Create a directory.
Now that you have created the file, saved it, and made sure it works you are ready to let other people see it. The main purpose of an RSS feed is to broadcast it to all RSS enabled sites. Search for a directory where you can place your feed. Some may require fees for uploading a directory but most are free to use. Don’t forget to place an icon of your RSS feed on your website for those visitors that might want to add your feed to their own website or blog..

Update regularly.
With RSS the feed changes automatically every time you change the main file. Don’t let your RSS feed sit there for a month without modifying it. Maintain it and add new articles on a regular basis. The more exciting or informative your topic is the more people will check your feeds and visit your website.

Creating an RSS feed for Internet marketing purposes is a fairly simple process and available to everyone. If you are serious about your online business you must add this facility to your marketing portfolio. Internet marketing is all about traffic and RSS feeds open your website or blog up to more of it

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