There’s been plenty written about RSS but here’s my take on it. I’ll start by introducing what it is, apologies if you’re already up to speed with that. I’ll then talk a little about how it can help you increase your traffic / readership and then about how you can monitor its impact.

What is RSS?

RSS is one of those TLA’s, Three Letter Acronyms. What it stands for very much depends upon who you are speaking to. There are a variety of explanations of both what it stands for, and what it’s used for.

Keeping it simple RSS allows your readers to consume the information you provide in a manner that best suits them at a time and place that suits them. Or written another way, it allows them to read, view, or listen to your content without having to go through the hassle of visiting your site and every other that they’ve chosen to bestow with their attention. Thats got to be a good thing.

If I’ve peaked your interest you could start here; nice and simply by the BBC and in more depth
Wikipedia.

Changing the dynamics

Viewing information on the internet, traditionally is achieved through the use of “pull” technology. That is when you want some information you would go out and look for it. So the reader is responsible for initiating the communication.

RSS changed the dynamics of this interaction by flipping it to a “push” technology. No longer do you have to wait for your readers to pop by. Now once they’ve deemed you worthy of their continued attention, and subscribed to your feed, what you have to say is said directly to them, without the requirement for them to pay you a visit.

In actual fact this is only pseudo “push” technology. It is the traditional “pull” dressed up so that it may masquerade as its more desirable sibling “push”. Technically the “pull” is performed on the users behalf by their feed reader, but you still get the benefits of being able to “push” what you have to say to your audience.

In the end that is all that matters. You get the ability to “push” out what you have to say, and your audience get to know about that when they need to. It’s good for you, and even better for your audience, as you’ve provided them with choice, and opened up a permanent communications channel between the two of you.

Beware though. It only remains permanent while you continue to fulfill your obligation to provide valuable and timely information. For once you renege on that half of the bargain you’re only one click away from the user closing the channel, and terminating the relationship you’d fought to build.

Full or partial feeds?

I’ll not dwell on this one but as someone who consumes most of their information via feeds there is nothing that annoys me more than a partial post. I choose to consume my information through a feed reader because it’s convenient, and to have a site that I choose to give attention to not respect my choice, well that’s just rude. A more in-depth look at publishing full or partial feeds can be found over at Digital Inspiration.

Monitor

You want to know how many people are liking what you put out right? You want to know what posts get the attention. At what point people start to subscribe, and when they leave you. Well then sign up with Feedburner and let them handle this for you.

In conclusion

RSS feeds provide a great way for you to “push” out your message to those who want to listen. Treat your audience with respect and give them what they want. And, once you’ve got somebody to listen track, monitor and take on board this feedback to make your offering even more appealing.