RSS for the Rest of Us
I don't know about you, but I'm seeing a whole bunch of articles and websites telling me that I need to get into this RSS thing.
Is it really time?
RSS (it stands for "Really Simple Syndication") is the latest wave of internet technology designed to take advantage of the "Content is King" mentality. Imagine getting direct access to the content you want, without having to give out your personal information. Wouldn't that be nice?
Here's how it works: You find a website you like and look for the little orange XML button, or a link that says "Syndicate this site". When you click that link, you get the raw feed of content from that site.
An example:
My Simplified Selling site allows you to syndicate my content. That means you don't have to remember to visit my site to discovers articles of interest, but instead they are fed to your preferred RSS reader (more on this in a moment) at your behest.
That means you no longer have to open your browser and visit a particular website to see what's new, to find out if anything interesting has been posted. All you have to do is open your RSS reader and content from all over the web is gathered into one place and presented for your review. An RSS reader is one-stop shopping for online information.
RSS Readers
There are hundreds of RSS readers on the market. You can collect RSS Feeds on your "My Yahoo!" page, or your "MyMSN" page. Current, updated content from your preferred sites is presented for your reading pleasure. Check the first few lines and if you're interested, just click and you are instantly transported to that particular article. No more hunting around on a site looking for an article you like.
Newsgator (www.newsgator.com) is a third-party add-in that turns your Outlook mail client into an RSS reader. Not to be outdone, Microsoft has incorporated an RSS reader into the latest release of Outlook.
You can also get stand-alone RSS readers from Bloglines (www.bloglines.com) and RSSReader.com (www.rssreader.com). A quick Google search for "RSS Reader" returned over 2 million pages. You'll have no trouble finding an RSS reader that you like.
But why?
That's really the question. Of course we know why the internet folks want you to subscribe to their content, but why would the average websurfer want to go through the hassle of setting up and subscribing to RSS feeds?
Privacy
RSS feeds are more private than newsletters. Unlike when you subscribe to newsletters (where you must give your email address to the content provider so that the information can be emailed to you) when you subscribe to RSS Feeds, you don't have to give your email address (or any personal information) to the site owner, because they aren't mailing you their information.
Something to consider - it is possible that content providers will start asking for personal information when subscribing to an RSS feed. It hasn't happened yet, so subscribe today before they start!
Portability
When I change email addresses or work on a different computer, I don't lose the content I like, because my RSS reader is keeping track of the content I want to see - without the involvement of the content provider. It's like radio stations on your Walkman. The station manager doesn't know when you change the station and if you move across town, you don't lose the stations. It's all in your Walkman. When you're using an online RSS reader (like My Yahoo! or MyMSN), your subscriptions are available from any computer, anywhere in the world.
No 'Unsubscribe' Headaches
When I'm tired of getting a newsletter, I am required to contact the publisher and "unsubscribe" to make the mailing stop. With RSS, you don't have to interact with the website owner to get off the list. Simply click the button in your RSS reader and it will stop collecting data from that site. You are in complete control.
No More Spam
Today, RSS is pure content. Because you didn't give out your email address to subscribe, you know that you won't get spammed. The internet folks have an incentive to keep the feed relatively ad-free. While you're reading their content in your RSS reader, if the content stops being interesting or becomes non-stop pitching, it is very easy for the reader (you) to disconnect. Most of these folks would rather keep you tuned in than to lose you forever.
Think of it like television. If "CSI: Crime Scene Investigations" becomes a long series of commercials and no plot, people will change the channel, many never to return. So the producers see to it that they have interesting content that keeps viewers returning for more. RSS will likely follow the same route.
Get yourself an RSS reader and start subscribing to feeds today. You'll get the internet on your own terms.
About the Author
Chris Ellington gives effective and easy to implement marketing strategies to small business owners and home business entrepreneurs. His Simplified Selling System has been a favorite of salespeople around the world. Get your free marketing strategies at www.simplifiedselling.com
Thursday, April 19, 2007
Internet Marketing: Getting Started
The phrase “internet marketing” is one that is quite broad to say the least. The fact of the matter is that internet marketing may mean one thing to you, but to another it could paint a different picture entirely. But although you may see this as a problem, it is actually a good thing. This means that internet marketing is a vast industry that can be tackled in a number of different ways.
If you want to get started with internet marketing you will need to learn a bit more about this industry. First off, why do you need internet marketing skills? The main reason for this is if you own a website. When you have a website you will want to drive traffic to it. And of course, internet marketing is the best way that this can be done.
When it comes to getting started with internet marketing, you should gather as much information as possible. This is a popular topic, and for this reason you should not have any problems finding plenty of information both on and offline. Just make sure that when you are searching for internet marketing information that you are getting it from people who are knowledgeable.
If internet marketing is a bit out of your realm, your next best bet is to get in touch with a firm that specializes in this. There are many companies that will work on your behalf to make sure that your internet marketing campaign is a success. Sure, you will have to pay for this service, but in the end you will more than make your money back.
As you can imagine, getting started with internet marketing is only the tip of the iceberg. After you have decided that you need to form a marketing campaign, you will then need to look into all of your options. As mentioned above, internet marketing is a large field and you can do many things to make this work to your advantage.
Overall, to learn about internet marketing you will want to do your own research and also consider hiring a firm to work on your behalf.
About the Author
Visit Crocus Plains Software Ltd. web site design, web site development and custom software services. Specializing in professional business web design and development. Services include web site design, web site development, custom software development, search engine optimization (SEO), internet marketing, copy, photography and graphic design.
If you want to get started with internet marketing you will need to learn a bit more about this industry. First off, why do you need internet marketing skills? The main reason for this is if you own a website. When you have a website you will want to drive traffic to it. And of course, internet marketing is the best way that this can be done.
When it comes to getting started with internet marketing, you should gather as much information as possible. This is a popular topic, and for this reason you should not have any problems finding plenty of information both on and offline. Just make sure that when you are searching for internet marketing information that you are getting it from people who are knowledgeable.
If internet marketing is a bit out of your realm, your next best bet is to get in touch with a firm that specializes in this. There are many companies that will work on your behalf to make sure that your internet marketing campaign is a success. Sure, you will have to pay for this service, but in the end you will more than make your money back.
As you can imagine, getting started with internet marketing is only the tip of the iceberg. After you have decided that you need to form a marketing campaign, you will then need to look into all of your options. As mentioned above, internet marketing is a large field and you can do many things to make this work to your advantage.
Overall, to learn about internet marketing you will want to do your own research and also consider hiring a firm to work on your behalf.
About the Author
Visit Crocus Plains Software Ltd. web site design, web site development and custom software services. Specializing in professional business web design and development. Services include web site design, web site development, custom software development, search engine optimization (SEO), internet marketing, copy, photography and graphic design.
The Internet Phone Revolution.
The Internet Phone Revolution.
The world is on the brink of a phone revolution, with a growing number of people cutting their telecom bills by making free calls via the World Wide Web.
A recent sign of this is that EBay, the online auction website, is so sure the idea will catch on, that it has paid $4.1 billion for the Internet Phone firm Skype Technologies.
Shortly all the millions of people who buy and sell goods on eBay will be able to use Skype's software, to talk to each other free and also make cut price calls to other landlines and cell phones.
Internet Phone services such as Skype are specially valuable for people who make a great deal of international telephone calls, as even these are free as long as both caller and receiver use the Skype software. The service works best over a broadband World Wide Web link but it can be used over dial up. Also a microphone headset is required to improve sound quality, nonetheless you can also use the external speakers and microphone that are supplied with most personal computers these days.
Its terribly convenient to make an Internet Phone call, just determine which Skype user or phone number you want to call, press dial and a few seconds later you will hear the phone ring at the other end. Skype claims that the sound quality for an Internet Phone call is at least as good as a normal phone call, particularly if you use a headset. Nevertheless, some users complain about echoes and some delays between speaking and hearing the feedback.
There are also more drawbacks, most Internet phone services don't permit calls to emergency services, also you may not hear incoming telephone calls whilst you are away from your computer, and if you go offline or switch off your computer you will not be able to receive calls at all. On the plus side you can use the Internet Phone services to make conference calls and if you have a Web Cam you could also set up a videoconference.
Skype is not the only provider of free Internet Phone calls; they are also available with Vontage, BT Google Talk and several others.
Vontage is one of the most popular. The service uses a router and your normal telephone so you just make calls in the usual way, but they are carried over the Internet rather than you telephone company's landline. Telephone calls to other Vontage users are free, and you get extra services such as voice mail and call waiting included in the monthly charge cost.
With the on going take up of Broad Band services around the world one has to wonder what is the longer term future for traditional land line based telephone services?
Roger Overanout.
About the Author
The world is on the brink of a phone revolution, with a growing number of people cutting their telecom bills by making free calls via the World Wide Web.
A recent sign of this is that EBay, the online auction website, is so sure the idea will catch on, that it has paid $4.1 billion for the Internet Phone firm Skype Technologies.
Shortly all the millions of people who buy and sell goods on eBay will be able to use Skype's software, to talk to each other free and also make cut price calls to other landlines and cell phones.
Internet Phone services such as Skype are specially valuable for people who make a great deal of international telephone calls, as even these are free as long as both caller and receiver use the Skype software. The service works best over a broadband World Wide Web link but it can be used over dial up. Also a microphone headset is required to improve sound quality, nonetheless you can also use the external speakers and microphone that are supplied with most personal computers these days.
Its terribly convenient to make an Internet Phone call, just determine which Skype user or phone number you want to call, press dial and a few seconds later you will hear the phone ring at the other end. Skype claims that the sound quality for an Internet Phone call is at least as good as a normal phone call, particularly if you use a headset. Nevertheless, some users complain about echoes and some delays between speaking and hearing the feedback.
There are also more drawbacks, most Internet phone services don't permit calls to emergency services, also you may not hear incoming telephone calls whilst you are away from your computer, and if you go offline or switch off your computer you will not be able to receive calls at all. On the plus side you can use the Internet Phone services to make conference calls and if you have a Web Cam you could also set up a videoconference.
Skype is not the only provider of free Internet Phone calls; they are also available with Vontage, BT Google Talk and several others.
Vontage is one of the most popular. The service uses a router and your normal telephone so you just make calls in the usual way, but they are carried over the Internet rather than you telephone company's landline. Telephone calls to other Vontage users are free, and you get extra services such as voice mail and call waiting included in the monthly charge cost.
With the on going take up of Broad Band services around the world one has to wonder what is the longer term future for traditional land line based telephone services?
Roger Overanout.
About the Author
For all the latest news and information about Internet Phones and VoIP check with www.internetphonecenter.infoYou may reproduce this article provided you maintain an active link back to www.internetphonecenter.info
Internet Insurance Leads
It is a fact that more and more people everyday use the Internet to get insurance coverage. The number of online customers is massive compared to “traditional” business, and it is increasing day after day.
However, as the online market grows, the number of “garbage” leads increases accordingly; there is a huge amount of price-shoppers out there that cares more about getting a cheap policy than about getting a good one. And paying attention to such requests is not only a waste of time, but also a waste of money.That is why you should get pre-qualified leads. Internet insurance leads that have been filtered to eliminate unserious ones were found to have about 80% effectiveness.There are many lead services on the internet; what differences one from another is this filtering process.
There is no doubt about it: if you want to reach the largest amount of people possible across the nation, then you should start getting internet leads. It is the most cost-effective way to achieve an astonishing number of sales. And, of course, this huge number of potential customers is a great chance of getting plenty of referrals. Everyone knows someone that needs a policy. It’s the good old basic equation: More customers = more referrals.
Be sure to choose a lead service that fulfills your needs, have them pre-eliminate those dead-end quote requests, and the rest is doing what you are good for, that means, selling insurance policies.
If you need healing, you pay a visit to a physician. If you want to get yourself a new car, you don’t enter a pharmacy to buy it. It’s that simple: if you really want to increase the amount of your customers, then you need to get in touch with a quality internet insurance leads service provider. That is what makes the difference in the insurance world nowadays.
About the Author
If you find this information useful you should visit the site http://www.official-insurance.netwhere you will find lots of interesting articles related to this topic, all original and wrote by Andreea Dinescu.
However, as the online market grows, the number of “garbage” leads increases accordingly; there is a huge amount of price-shoppers out there that cares more about getting a cheap policy than about getting a good one. And paying attention to such requests is not only a waste of time, but also a waste of money.That is why you should get pre-qualified leads. Internet insurance leads that have been filtered to eliminate unserious ones were found to have about 80% effectiveness.There are many lead services on the internet; what differences one from another is this filtering process.
There is no doubt about it: if you want to reach the largest amount of people possible across the nation, then you should start getting internet leads. It is the most cost-effective way to achieve an astonishing number of sales. And, of course, this huge number of potential customers is a great chance of getting plenty of referrals. Everyone knows someone that needs a policy. It’s the good old basic equation: More customers = more referrals.
Be sure to choose a lead service that fulfills your needs, have them pre-eliminate those dead-end quote requests, and the rest is doing what you are good for, that means, selling insurance policies.
If you need healing, you pay a visit to a physician. If you want to get yourself a new car, you don’t enter a pharmacy to buy it. It’s that simple: if you really want to increase the amount of your customers, then you need to get in touch with a quality internet insurance leads service provider. That is what makes the difference in the insurance world nowadays.
About the Author
If you find this information useful you should visit the site http://www.official-insurance.netwhere you will find lots of interesting articles related to this topic, all original and wrote by Andreea Dinescu.
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