WebRev Blog

We've previously talked about RSS Feeds, and what they can do for you as a blogger.  We've also talked about how they are helpful as a reading resource in overcoming blogger's block.  But what are some good reading resources to add to your own feed-reader lists?  I'm going to share some of my favorites this week. Let's start with some Web 2.0 Resources.

ReadWriteWeb

 

ReadWriteWEb is a technology news blog, which provides news analysis of the tech industry.  I like it because the language is in plain English, and you don't have to be a "technology expert" to understand what is being discussed there.  They take the "high tech," stuff, and break it down into layman's terms.  They cover the social networks, consumer products, internet technology, software, hardware...pretty much everything tech.  Click HERE to add them to your reader.

 

Mashable

 

Mashable was started in Scotland, and is popular internationally.  It's focus is social networking and social media.  Not surprisingly, it is wildly popular on the social networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, and has become a resource that is quoted often in the mainstream media.  This site covers new media start-ups, and gives excellent tips and tricks for navigating the established networks.  I also enjoy the resource lists, on every imaginable topic.  Click HERE to subscribe to the feed.

 

Blogging Tips

 

Blogging Tips is about...need I say it?  Not only does this blog have one of the most easily searchable names on the web, but they live up to the expectation that the name suggests.  This team of successful bloggers from all over the web shaires their blogging tips and tricks.  Great information. To subcribe to the RSS click HERE.

 

TechCrunch

 

TechCrunch is a great resource for reviews of new media startups and established new media companies.  They also review tech products and industry news.  There's a whole network for specialties, but to subscribe to the main site, click HERE.

 

TechDirt

 

TechDirt is one of the oldest Web 2.0 online publications, having been started in 1997. (Most of the others listed here started within the last five years).  This site's writers do an excellent job of covering the ways in which government legislation affects the technology industry.  To subscribe click HERE.

A side note - What do all of these Web 2.0 blogs have in common?  In addition to the content, they are all team-blogging efforts.  Online collaboration is at the heart of Web 2.0, and these blogs have done an excellent job of incorporating that element into their businesses. 

Jennifer Pointer (e-mail) is a trainer and tech writer in Tulsa, OK. She promotes a simple, a low-tech approach to effective online profile management, search engine optimization and social networking. Her weakness is the mocha frappuccino.

As we discussed earlier this week, backlinks, Alexa ratings, and page rank, along with along with traffic and feed subscriptions, are some industry standards for evaluating blogs.  Today, let's talk about feeds and feed subscriptions.

The number of feed subscribers to your blog or website gives you a good indication of the number of people who intend to come back to visit you.  A feed subscriber has taken the extra step of adding your blog to their list of daily reads - many times, they're hoping for follow-up or similar stories to whatever post drew them to your site in the first place. 

Traffic from feeds is usually return traffic - these readers are likely to comment, and maybe even to share your posts on their social networks.  Basically, the higher your number of feed subscriptions, the better.

Unfortunately, at this time, there is no reliable way to find out how many feed subscribers another site has, for comparison, unless that website administrator chooses to share that information publicly.  Since so many people use the Google feed reader, you can see how many people have signed up for the Google feed (instructions, HERE).  This number, however, does not reflect Feedburner subscribers, which is owned by Google - but only subscribers who have actually subscribed with Google reader, rather than a different feed reader. 

To increase the number of feed subscribers to your blog, you will want to make subscribing as easy as possible.  Be sure that there is a "subscribe" option available in your header or sidebar, so that it will be available on every post and page of your site.  Some sites also offer something "free," such as a training video, or a .pdf copy of a published report to new subscribers.  You may also consider adding a link to a feed at the bottom of each post, with an encouragement like, "Did you like this post? Subscribe to our feed for more..."  (or similar).

Tomorrow, we'll talk about traffic.

Also see:  Writing for Feeds and Fun with Feeds

Jennifer Pointer (e-mail) is a trainer and tech writer in Tulsa, OK. She promotes a simple, a low-tech approach to effective online profile management, search engine optimization and social networking. Her weakness is the mocha frappuccino.