In the online business, it is very important to get high incoming traffic since high traffic means more revenue to your site. However, aside from traffic, another factor which you must put focus on is a consistent stream of subscribers, since they will be the ones that will keep your site alive. The question is, however, is how do you get more RSS readers?
Most of us would think that getting more subscribers to one’s site requires a lot of effort, but the real steps to attract readers are actually easy. All you have to do is to add more focus and dedication to your site, and as well as listen to what your audience is looking for.
Below are a five effective ways in getting more RSS readers:
1. Flaunt It!
If you want to start getting more RSS readers then you should lead them to how to subscribe on your site. Making things more obvious is the way to this aspect of blog success, thus you have to make options to RSS subscription more prominent. Do this by including the RSS subscription button under each post, so first-time readers are reminded to subscribe to your site while they are checking out your web pages. You can also offer an alternative to RSS, and that is through email subscription. Some readers open their emails more than other things whenever they log on to the internet, and email reminders tend to be more helpful for these people.
You can also promote subscribing to your site by dedicating a subscription page. Create a subscription page which serves as the destination of all the traffic you get from your blogs, AdWords, as well as the sources that you use. After creating a subscription page then you can promote it by using an ethical bribe pick-up line to attract more sign-ups.
2. Be a Guest in Other People’s Blogs
When movie stars have an upcoming film, they usually make guest appearances in various TV shows and events, right? Then you can do the same thing to attract more RSS readers to your site. Be a guest blogger!
Through comments, you can provide your own insights on a particular blog post and at the same time invite readers to check your site since it contains relevant content. You can also contact bloggers whose blogs you want to contribute to, so that your post will be recognized by their own pool of readers. By then you can proceed with inviting audiences to check out yours out with the help of a back link to your site. Just make sure that your post is of original content.
3. Offer Bribes
Another effective way to get more RSS readers is by bribing them to sign up. There’s nothing wrong with bribes; in fact you’re actually making them happier since people by nature are fond of freebies. You can do this by the use of autoresponders or if you have a WordPress blog, you can utilize the powers of the Feedvertising plugin that links subscribers to the free gift. The Feedvertising plugin only shows up on feeds, so only those subscribed to RSS can access the free gift you’re giving away.
Another way to bribe visitors so they will become RSS subscribers is by giving away free e-books, which in turn promotes your site to all your readers. Since visitors learn that you have free stuff to give away, they would of course be convinced to sign up and become RSS readers on your site.
4. Build up a Network
Always remember that there are real people behind the blogs and hits that link to your site, and the best way to repay their kindness is by being friends with them. Try to help them out with their own needs and offer them a space on your site, where they can discuss things related to your niche. Through this you build a support network consisting of people who are truly interested in your site.
5. Podcasts
Finally, you can promote your site and attract more RSS readers by broadcasting your site via podcasts. Start a podcast and discuss about your site’s subject matter, and upload it on various podcasting sites such as iTunes. Mention your site in each episode of your podcast, and try to bring in guest speakers to join the discussion. The livelier each discussion gets, the more listeners you get, and of course, to keep them updated with the latest happenings in your site, they would have to subscribe on RSS.
November 10th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Very helpful article. I am having trouble getting subscribers on my blog, and I am struggling to keep past 10 subscribers. I still have yet to put any RSS stuff after my post, but I’m sure that will help.
November 11th, 2008 at 12:41 am
As you already know what i will say. This tips are great. Most of them i’m using. My blog is old 1 week and half and i got my poor 21 subscribers. I hope will be better when i get more traffic . I’m still not indexed by google
. Cheers
November 11th, 2008 at 2:56 am
Nice post – wasn’t familiar with the Feedvertising plugin – sounds kind of cool. I also took my own spin on tip number 1 with the “flaunt it” recommendation. I found a bunch of really cool icons at smashingmagazine.com and got myself an elephant as my RSS icon. I am still growing at a very slow rate, but growing.
By the way, my first time on your blog – very nice. Keep up the good work.
November 11th, 2008 at 4:52 am
Either of the tips is really useful, thanks for sharing!
November 11th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
I have been trying to decide if I should include an rss feed in my site but I wasn’t sure but I am definately going to include one now I think it could really work to enhance my site.
November 13th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
Thank you very much! Inn is very helppfuk information!
November 13th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
It is very interesting and helpful! Thank you very much!
November 16th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Is there any way to make an RSS feed for when a statis HTML/CSS site is updated with new articles?
November 22nd, 2008 at 7:02 am
Great tips. I like the first point especially. I've also learned to not expect people to know what to do. It's better to tell them exactly what to do step-by-step no matter how easy you think it is.