My Really Simple Syndication Strategy
Using RSS (Really Simple Syndication) to syndicate your blog content has two main benefits:
First, it makes it convenient for your readers to receive your posts in a way that is easiest for them (i.e. in their email inbox, in an RSS reader, or on their mobile phone).
Second, it extends the “reach” of your blog. “Reach” is most easily understood by this example using a print magazine: If one person in a household of 5 people (say, 5 college roommates) has a magazine subscription, then each issue has a subscriber base of 1 and a “reach” of 5.
By reaching more people, you attract more traffic back to your blog and generate more targeted leads.
The simple syndication strategy I’ve used follows from one basic principle: “make it simple for readers by putting your content where it’s easiest and most convenient to find.” Here’s that strategy, followed by a few tips.
Essential WordPress Plugins for Marketers
Here’s a list of WordPress plugins that an Internet marketer shouldn’t do without. They may not be "sexy" or give your blog that "wow, that’s cool" factor, but these WordPress plugins are essential to the business of your blog.
Utilities
Improved Plugin Installation
Take the hassle out of installing plugins with this time-saving gem. Simply install its bookmarklet on your browser, then when you find a plugin you want to download, click the bookmarklet and it will install that plugin with one click. Make this the first WordPress plugin you install and you’ll be happy you did.
Maintenance Mode
Doing a massive upgrade of your site? This plugin puts up a "Down for Maintenance" splash page asking readers to check back later. Saves you the embarrassment of readers seeing your blog with, err, its pants down.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
All in One SEO Pack
Improve your SEO immediately by installing and using this plugin to add unique titles, descriptions, keywords and other search-engine friendly elements to each post or page. Greatly enhances your visibility on search engines.
Google XML Sitemap Generator
Make it easy for Google, Yahoo!, MSN, and Ask.com search engines to find your blog by sending them an XML file of all your posts each and every time you update. Another plugin that will help you get on the good side with the search engines.
Statistics and Tracking
WordPress Stats
WordPress’s tracking application let’s you track the overall performance. Find out the number of visitors, pageviews, source of traffic, etc. This comes packaged with WordPress-hosted blogs; for blogs you host yourself, you’ll need to install the plugin and get a WordPress API key.
Google Analyticator
Google Analyticator easily adds Google Analytics tracking support to your blog so you can get comprehensive statistics of your blog’s performance. This is Google’s tracking application, which provides the same type of data as WordPress stats, only much more extensive. You’ll need to register with the Google Analytics site and get a Google UID (user ID).
Content Distribution
FeedBurner Feedsmith
Make it easier for your reader to get your content by syndicating it with this RSS feed plugin. FeedBurner can track all of your feed subscriber traffic and usage, and apply a variety of features you choose to improve and enhance your original WordPress feed.
AddtoAny
There are lots of really good social bookmarking widgets that allow your readers to bookmark or share your content on Digg, de.li.ci.ous and a range of other social sites. After trying several others, I’ve chosen AddtoAny because it has a great interface and appears to have the most comprensive listing. Let your readers promote your blog and gain more reach.
Yet Another Related Posts
Add more value to your readers by linking to other, related content on your blog. This plugin takes the tedium out of adding each related link to each post by automatically adding a "Related Posts" section at the bottom of each article.
Affiliate Links
GoCodes
If you have any affiliate links on your site, you’ll need GoCodes. This plugin enables you to mask your affiliate links so they can’t be swapped out or modified, which would cost you commissions. It also allows you to track the click rate of your links. Very useful.
Advertising
Easy Adsenser
Add Google AdSense ads to your posts with this aptly named plugin. Allows you to add AdSense blocks in numerous parts of your posts and will automatically check that you don’t exceed the maximum of three AdSense blocks per page. Nice addition if you choose to ad advertising to your blog.
Wishing You the Best,
Ben Mapp
- - -
Like this article? You can subscribe to our full feed RSS.
How to Build a Better Blog in 31 Days
Attention all bloggers. News alert.
Just learned that Darren Rowse over a ProBlogger.net is going to be launching his third tutorial "31 Days to a Better Blog" on April 1st. UPDATE: Darren’s pushed back the start date to Mon, April 6th so there’s even more time to sign up.
Darren’s done this before — in 2005 and 2007. This time, he’s presenting it as a "challenge" for beginner to intermediate bloggers , though he says that much of it will be relevant to advanced bloggers as well.
Here’s how it works: Each day, starting on April 1st and ending on May 1st , Darren will post an installment that is one part theory, another part practice (a task or homework).
You can follow "31 Days to a Better Blog" on the blog or via his RSS feed. Or, you can register and receive a daily email alerting you of that day’s post and containing additional information not contained in the post.
I just signed up to receive the emails. Now, I’ve just got to clear my April calendar. Seriously, what better person to learn from than Darren Rowse, a guy who’s turned his blogging hobby into a full-time business ?
And, what more appropriate info to pass along in my first post to this blog?
Here’s to better blogging.
