RSS More Than Just News Headlines
by S. Housley
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
Source of this article:
www.goarticles.com
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