Similarities between RSS feeds & offline features syndications that will help you understand this tool
| by David Callan Most online entrepreneurs do not know how to use RSS feeds to their advantage, let alone understand exactly what it is. Yet this simple easy-to-use mechanism that has taken the World Wide Web by storm, can make a huge difference in the performance of any site.RSS stands for Really Simply Syndication. RSS has plenty of similarities
with the offline business of syndication, which has existed for decades. Understanding
the similarities between the two can help many bloggers and webmasters grasp
the full potential of this new online tool and how it works.
What Is A Features Syndicate?
Let us start with the offline predecessor since it is much simpler to understand. In simple terms, a syndicate is a content distributor or organization that distributes content to news and entertainment media all over the world.
Probably one of the most well known content syndicates in the world is Kings Features Syndicate which you may have observed is responsible for many of your favorite Sunday newspaper cartoon strips.
The idea here is simple. Newspapers cannot employ staff on a full time basis to produce all the content they need. They therefore organize to purchase some of the features they require from a syndicate. And because the syndication service is distributing the same content to non-competing newspapers all over the world, it will end up being a lot cheaper than if the media company were to organize for something exclusive.
You must have also heard of a syndicated columnist. This is the lucky person who manages the rather unique feat of having their newspaper column distributed to thousands of newspapers across the country. Imagine having a daily column running in 1,000 newspapers. Even if it is at $50 apiece, the numbers do tend to add up rather quickly.
Newspapers or the print media is not the only place where popular content can be distributed. Well-liked Television shows are also syndicated to TV stations across the country and all over the world. The Oprah Winfrey Show is a good example of a popular syndicated TV show that is seen all over the world.
Similarities And Differences Between Syndicates and RSS
Understanding the similarities between RSS and the syndication business should be useful. RSS distributes content across the net to whichever web site or individual wants it. Syndication services will usually distribute only to those who make a commitment to pay for the content. Still, anybody distributing quality useful content through RSS feeds can make himself or herself a bundle. Here’s how.
For instance useful content will attract attention to the source and if it is a web site, that web site can get lots of traffic. Traffic can easily be converted into revenue either through products or services. We also now have popular PPC ads like Adsense. A blog or site receiving load of traffic via RSS is bound to convert lots of it into revenue through the ads some of the visitors will click at while at the site. We even have Adsense ads being carried with relevant content in RSS feeds these days, which is yet another way of generating cash from RSS.
One of the chief advantages that RSS has over syndicated material is the speed and reach of distribution it enjoys. With a syndicated service, each media organization has to be approached individually. It will therefore take a long time to make available new material to all your prospects. With RSS feeds, your material almost automatically becomes available as it is distributed, for anybody who has subscribed, situated in virtually any part of the world.
In Conclusion
RSS is truly the simpler Syndication available to anybody willing to invest a little time in learning how to use it. The truth is that as one uses it more frequently they are bound to get more and more skillful at using it to create unbelievable exposure for their content and blog or web site.
You can no longer afford to ignore RSS feeds and the sooner you pay some attention to familiarizing yourself to them and learning how to use them, the better. Because whether you ignore o embrace it, the rapid, continuos rise of RSS has roved that this is no passing fad but something that is definitely here to stay.
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