Free Website Content
Interesting RSS Use and Tools
Interesting RSS Tools and Use
The core use for RSS is generally considered
news headlines and blog syndication, but innovative
businesses are learning to use RSS in different ways.
Consider RSS as a communication channel that can provide
current, targeted information as it appears within a
very targeted audience.
Monitoring Newsgroups/Usenet
Google Groups is a free online community and discussion
group service that offers the Web's most comprehensive
archive of Usenet postings. Google Groups can be monitored
using RSS feeds. In order to monitor a specific newsgroup
simply add "/feed/msgs.xml" to the end of the Google
Group URL. Add the new URL to a newsgroup reader and
receive updates each time a new post is added to the
newsgroup.
Example Feed: http://groups.google.com/group/alt.comp.shareware.authors/feed/msgs.xml
Calendars
Build a calendar for public or private use and receive
calendar updates via an RSS feed. Calendars can be created
for personal reminders to pay bills or attend social
functions. Calendars can also be used for specific groups
like schools, sporting events, or industry events. The
calendar can be syndicated and shared using RSS feeds.
CalendarHub - http://www.calendarhub.com
Example Feed - http://www.calendarhub.com/rss/21882/month
Weather
Enter a zip code and obtain the weather information
in a specific region. Click the orange RSS icon and
add the feed to your reader. Each morning you will receive
local and regional weather reports as they are made
available. RSS feeds can be customized to include current
local conditions, local Doppler radar, pollen trends,
regional video forecasts with expert commentary, and
extended forecast details.
Weather.com - http://www.weather.com
or RSS Weather - http://www.rssweather.com
Classifieds (Homes/Jobs)
Curious about the availability of specific employment
opportunities in a specific industry? Receive notification
when positions are made available. RSS feeds can be
created for regions, salary ranges, or positions.
RSSJobs - http://www.rssjobs.com
or Craigslist Example Feed - http://www.craigslist.com/sof/index.rss
Ego Searches
Ego searches are free and simple searches designed
to monitor blogs and news portals for mentions of your
company, product, competitors, or other specific keywords.
Conducting ego searches, not only allows you to stay
informed, but also allows you to maintain a strategic
advantage over competing companies. A number of new
Internet services are freely available that make these
'ego searches' painless and easy.
Many of the services allow you to create
a keyword based feed. Each time new information containing
the keyword appears in the searched resources, the RSS
feed updates.
More on Ego Searches: http://www.small-business-software.net/ego-searches.htm
Shipments
Receive notification via RSS feeds when packages are
delivered. Custom RSS feeds can be created to monitor
delivery progress. Track the status of packages shipped
via US Postal Service, USP, DHL or Federal Express.
Simple Tracking - http://www.simpletracking.com/
Site Checks
Initially used by search engines to indicate new
websites with top ranking for specific keywords. Many
webmasters provide RSS feeds to let visitors know when
web content changes occur.
Coupons or Specials
Everyone loves a bargain, RSS feeds that promote time
sensitive discounts or offers are becoming increasingly
popular. Restaurants convey lunch specials while travel
companies convey last minute deals to prospective travelers
using RSS Feeds.
Sample Restaurants Feed - http://www.bestrestaurants.com.au/xml/feed/dining-specials-australia.xml
or
Sample Travel Feed - http://www.orbitz.com/rss/flightdeals.rss.xml
Auction Monitoring
Items on eBay are time sensitive, few individuals have
time to make daily auction checks of new auctions for
specific products. Create an RSS feed using keywords
to monitor products as they become available for auction.
Bidding Tools - http://www.freebiddingtools.com
Example Feeds - http://www.freebiddingtools.com/rss/feeds/47459
RSS is still very young. Both publishers
and consumers are actively seeking ways to exploit this
communication medium. Additional uses of RSS feeds are
popping up daily. Consider how your business might use
this new communication medium to increase sales, increase
productivity, and reach new customers.
About the Author:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com
software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds
and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for
NotePage http://www.notepage.net
a wireless text messaging software company.
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