What is RSS & How Do I use it?

What is RSS?

You see this icon on web pages and you do one of two things:

(1) ignore it because it seems to be just another tech gadget that you feel you don’t need to understand nor have the time to learn it, or

(2) you click it to see what it does and a light bulb appears over your head but you don’t have the slightest clue how to set this up for your business.

RSS is shorthand for Really Simple Syndication. The concept behind this technology is that web users who visit your site can subscribe to your RSS feed, by clicking on the RSS button, to receive notifications when new content is added to your web page.

How am I notified when new information is added?
(I don’t need any more email solicitations…please!!!)

1.) Subcription shown on browser toolbar
2.) Subscription shown in "feeds" in Favorites

RSS doesn’t intrude with unwanted solicitations or clutter up your email. When you subscribe to a feed, your browser bookmarks the RSS feed and you have the option to view the notifications at your leisure. Once you subscribe all you have to do is click on the feed link, which is displayed on your browser in either your “favorites” or on the browser tool bar (varies with each browser). The title of the RSS feed is displayed so,  in case you subscribe to multiple feeds you know which one to click.

 

Who uses this and what are the advantages?

From major corporations to the small, individual blog publisher who posts articles, pictures, videos, stories, promotions, newsletters… you name it.  Anyone who publishes content on the web needs to be using RSS. RSS subscriptions grow exponentially every day. More and more web users are getting familiar with technology and appreciate having information readily available without having to visit multiple sites to check for new content. Now they check their RSS feeds to see what new information has been added to their web sites of interest.

OK, I think I get it, but give me some examples.
Here are two examples related to the sports industry:

1)       Jeff the ASU Football fan,

2)      Joe, a typical Arizona golfer with a 15 handicap

1.) The Browser shows that RSS feeds are available.
2.) ASU Sports is one of RSS feeds available for subscription

 Jeff is a big fan of ASU Sports and likes to catch up on the sports headlines every week. He subscribes to an RSS feed from the Arizona Republic specifically for ASU Sports articles. When Jeff launches his web browser everyday he checks to see what new articles have been posted about ASU Sports in his RSS bookmark. He clicks on whatever article grabs his attention. This makes Jeff happy because he doesn’t waste time searching the web for ASU Sports articles. The articles are immediately available for him to view whenever he wants to. Jeff can group multiple ASU Football RSS feeds from different sources and store them in a folder, but he genuinely like the AZ Rep articles and feels he doesn’t need to go overboard with too many subscriptions. Feed page for ASU Sports.

Once you subcribe to a feed, updates are added
automatically. You can even set your browser to
notify you when new updates are posted or just check
for updates on your own.

Joe fell in love when he played golf at Los Lobos Country Club for the first time. He loved the course, the beach, the resort, and the fact that his family kept entertained while he was out golfing. Now he’s looking for any excuse to go back, so he subscribed to the Los Lobos RSS feed and checks it at the beginning and end of the week to see what incentives will lure him back. He likes RSS because he doesn’t like signing up for email notices. He checks for new promotions through his RSS feeds located at Loco4Golf.  Joe has several RSS subscriptions to his favorite courses. In a way he’s not your average Joe web surfer. Feed page for Los Lobos Country Club

I get it now, but how do I do this for myself?
 I can barley check my emails!!!

The good news is that you don’t need to be a rocket scientist. There is some simple code needed to plug into your web site. But you do need to be proactive with adding content. Imagine if every time you turned on the TV the same show was playing over and over again. Boring! You’d never use it. Don’t fall into the same trap with your web site.  Keep content fresh and interesting and make it easy for people to have access to your info.

If you are a golf course looking to use this feature, Loco4Golf can set this up for you on our web site or your personal golf course page.  We won’t charge you to do this, but we need some fresh content to link it to. Some good ideas: Golf Promos, Event Info, Newsletter, Food & Beverage, Hotel Packages, Golf Instruction, etc. We’ll set up the campaigns and run them on our site and your site. Maximize your exposure.

For other industry related professionals interested in RSS or other promotional avenues, contact us and let’s talk shop about what you need. There’s a good chance we can get you up and running with little or no investment. We might be able to point you in the right direction with a quick 5 minute phone call and we’re happy to do so. Don’t be intimidated by technology. We’ll help you break it down and help you conquer it.

For more info visit:

www.Loco4Golf.com