31
Mar 2012

Why use an RSS Feed Reader?

March 31, 2012 By 3 Comments

What can an RSS Feed Reader be used for?

RSS is a tool for getting information from people without having to keep visiting their website to get it. You can subscribe to their information, have it sent to you and read it whenever you like. Once you have set up your subscriptions, you can then choose from a list of them all in the one place.

company bulletins – news bulletins – arts launches – performance updates – weather updates

personal blogs – podcasts – club updates – sporting fixtures – fan newsletters – special offers

How to subscribe to blogs, news bulletins, &  podcasts via an RSS Feed Reader:

 

  1. Install an RSS feed reader:

An RSS  feed reader is basically a storage space for your subscriptions so you can read through all your items without having to visit each website. It really is as simple as that – the feed reader searches for the latest updates to your subscriptions and downloads them to your computer.

There are two types of feed readers you can utilise. We used to have to install a dedicated feed reader program to manage our subscriptions, and this is still a great method – though you need to run the program to get it to update your subscriptions. This used to be a concern with older computers (another program to use up thinking space!) but these days our computers easily handle the additional program. And as the RSS reader downloads the content to your computer, you can read your feeds anytime you want without having to be connected to the internet.

The other type of feed reader being used more frequently these days are web browser-based readers. These take up less space and don’t require an extra program to be installed, but reading your feeds offline can be a hassle – in fact, it’s recommended that a separate program is installed to synchronise with your browser-based reader if you want to read feeds offline. In this age of constant connectivity via mobile devices browser-based readers are becoming more popular.

  1. Finding RSS feeds you are interested in:

First thing is to visit your favourite websites and look for the RSS symbol rss-feed-explainafide. Clicking on this symbol on a website triggers your feed reader to set up a subscription and you’ll be able to keep in touch with all their latest news directly from your reader.

A great place to start looking for feeds you might be interested in is an RSS Feed Syndicate. This is a website that collates feeds and sorts multiple RSS Feeds by categories, so you don’t need to go trawling around the internet searching for new feeds to read. There are a few comprehensive general syndicates, as well as some specific topic-based syndicates – check out your favourite search engine for a list.

  1. Podcasts using an RSS Feed:

Audio and video podcasts can be collected in a very similar way, though you will need a media player to play them in. Most computers will have a media player installed already, though if you have problems make sure you have the correct codec installed for the type of file you are trying to play – check out your media player’s help.

Many RSS feed readers will be able to subscribe to podcasts as well as text. And newer media players will be able to subscribe to podcasts. So you can really treat podcasts and feeds as the same thing, these days. To read more on Podcasting read one of my earlier articles.

Some of the most popular RSS Feed Readers:

 

RSS Owl is a great Open-Source RSS Feeder

RSSOwl-feeder

RSS Owl Feed

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Google Reader

rss-feeddemon

Feed Demon RSS

In these days of an over abundance of information using an RSS Feed can really help you stay on top of what you want to know, whilst not wasting your time on things that don’t interest you.

Technorati Code: DXYVDDHUS7AA

 

 

 

Filed Under: Marketing, Web for Creatives Tagged With: , ,
16
Jan 2012

Using New Media to promote your Photography

January 16, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Why should you use New Media to Promote your Photography:

How can you use social media to promote your photography work?

Before the days of the internet, the way to get your photography or artwork noticed was by either knowing the right people or being in the right place at the right time.  This may have been good during the days of limited access to resources and technologies, but long gone are the days of scrounging for talented photographers, or artists in general. These days it seems you can’t throw a rock without hitting a talented photographer. The invention of the internet and the tools that go with it such as social media has created a new means of communication and promotion of work. This has fueled an entirely new market place to promote and sell your art or photos.

When the original Apple iPhone came out, taking photos on your phone and sharing them was not necessarily new but still cumbersome.  Something about the iPhone spurred on a new methodology to taking and sharing photos.  Instagram was such a product to come out of this new revolution.  What this allows you to do is take a photo, edit, add extra information, and upload directly to your Instagram profile for all to see. If you see something you like from a particular photographer you can subscribe to their profile so you never miss a photo.

instagram-logo-new-media [Read more...]

Filed Under: Marketing Tagged With: , , ,
27
Dec 2011

Colors in Branding

December 27, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Branding & the use of color:

Logos have for a long time been the foremost tool for brand recognition. Every successful business has a very well known and recognisable logo that accompanies any product, advertising or correspondence. This is a proven method of brand recognition and has served businesses well over a long period of time.  But now there seems to be a new trend in branding, moving beyond words and pictures, a trend that may be even more powerful than the use of logos alone.

A great tool to aid brand recognition is the use of colour.

And for good reason as:

The mind registers colours quicker and at a far greater distance than it can discern words or even pictures.

Emergency services have long utilized this phenomenon. We instantly recognise a red fire truck far before we can read the words Metropolitan Fire Brigade emblazoned on the side. This allows us to realise there could be danger and gives us ample time to move out of the way.

fire-truck-color-recognition

This goes the same for white and blue police cars, white and red ambulances, orange S.E.S vehicles and even yellow R.A.C.V vans.

This use of color works equally well on our roads.

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Design, Marketing Tagged With: , ,
23
Dec 2011

The Importance of Logos in Brand Recognition

December 23, 2011 By 1 Comment

Logos & Brand Recognition

It’s a competitive world out there for a growing business. In today’s climate of endless advertising possibilities including TV and radio ads, door to door catalogues, newsletters, forums and the big newcomer social media, it can be tricky to stay ahead of the game. Having a business that has an immediate brand recognition means that they are well and truly ahead of the pack.

When looking for a product or service, most people will go straight to the internet and type in a few keywords. Next a list of companies pop up. You may be one of these, but what will make the consumer choose you and not one of your competitors? Sure, being near the top of the page is a big advantage, but not always a shoe-in.

People are visual creatures and take in pictures far quicker and easier than words.

A catchy logo could be the edge you need over the competition. You can convey a lot of information with even the simplest of logos. Color can also play a key role in a successful logo, with different colors standing for different feelings and emotions.

So once you have a logo that suits your business or product, with an appropriate image and a color that inspires the viewer, you are in a better position to attract the attention of potential clients over and above your competition.

logos-in-brand-recognition [Read more...]

Filed Under: Design, Marketing Tagged With: , , ,
24
Jul 2011

Be A Business Of Personality

July 24, 2011 By 1 Comment

“I’m A Real Boy!”

Do you ever find yourself feeling like a walking target for ads and sales pitches?  It seems like we live in a world much like the movie Minority Report, where upon entering a store or website we are inundated with “Buy Now” and “Click Here”.  Don’t get me wrong, we all realize businesses are in fact in business to make money, but would it hurt to be a bit more personable?  On top of that, it seems like they are our best friend until we have made our purchase and walked out their door, but if we have issues with our purchase they are no where to be found.  We can see why the trend for consumers is towards small businesses. Customers are looking for an experience.

You Are First And Foremost A User

When creating a business model or a website for your business, we must always remember, we are first and foremost users.  Go around to your favorite local chains and favorite websites and list the things that attract you to purchasing in the first place or what dissuaded you.  Many times we forget that we ourselves consume the same types of things we are trying to sell, so we have first hand experience on how we want to be treated.  How did it feel to have a service representative ask how you were and if they could help in anyway, even if it was not to purchase anything?  Or, how frustrated was it to try and solve an issue at the front desk and no one was manning it?

clown-customer-service

[Read more...]

Filed Under: Marketing Tagged With: ,
15
Jul 2011

Social Media For The Busy Business

July 15, 2011 By 3 Comments

Social Media & Business

With the average business person working nearly 12 hours a day, it’s a wonder how anyone can possibly post daily blogs, tweet three or more times a day, respond to comments, and all while keeping their marriage together.  In the current social media market there are trends being forged and guidelines being made that can help ensure the success of a business in this new frontier, but as any one of these “How to” guides will tell you, social media requires time.  One such book I recommend is The Digital Handshake at Audible.com.  This audio book includes several hours of informational material on all the different methods of gaining exposure in the social media world.  The focus of this short article will be how to utilize social media on your schedule.

Personally as a freelance designer, I do not work the usual nine-to-five hours that most of the population do.  While being a programmer, the practice of finishing ones work hours at three in the morning is quite common, this however does not work well when looking for more clients.  When my potential clients days are winding down, mine is only just kicking into  gear. Now you might be asking, “why not just email or tweet?”  I am glad you asked.

Studies have shown that while in theory the internet is always on, and someone is always around, it seems the internet is still vulnerable to the highs and lows of regional based traffic.  The internet does seem to have a “nine-to-five” when it comes to reaching people within your area or country.  You can see now how a business could be wondering how it could utilize the social media market if it has to set aside time during crucial business hours.  Posting a blog can sometimes take two hours, and finding substantive material to tweet about can be time consuming as well. There is a solution…

Schedule Your Tweets

You might think a tweet on Twitter has to be instant but think again.  Free services like Twuffer make it possible to sign into your twitter account and post tweets that will chirp when you want them to.  The average recommended tweets a day is about three, so scheduling for the start, middle, and towards the end of the work day has the potential for great exposure.  If you really want your followers to respond, keep your tweets personable or about a topic that could be helpful.  Last thing anyone is expecting is a business NOT trying to sell them something.  Scheduling your tweets leaves you to your work while your computer chirps your song for you.

Delayed Blog Posts

Most of the popular CMS’s out there like WordPress, Drupal, and my favorite MODx, have the ability to also schedule when new blog posts are made.  I have often published an amazing blog post at night, only for it to suffer from lack of exposure as it is lost in the next mornings news.   This is where delaying the publishing time can greatly help to catch the eye of those subscribed to your feed.  But what about exposing it to those not subscribed?  Tweet This is a plugin for WordPress that will tweet out the moment a new blog is posted, giving a permalink back to the post.

These Are Just Two…

Even though I primarily focused on Twitter integration, there are many resources out there for integration with Facebook and I am sure Google+ support is right around the bend.  Just these two solutions allow you to maximize your time, and keep from interfering with business hours.

 Now you can blog or tweet and interact with your customers on your schedule, whatever that maybe.

If you liked this article, be sure to +1 it above and be sure to check me out at CubedMEDIA and Twitter @travis_love.

Filed Under: Marketing Tagged With: , ,
04
Jul 2011

The Latest Social Media Initiative- Google +1

July 4, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Google +1

The juggernaut that is Google keeps rolling on… with the launch of their new “Google +1” Social Media program in Australia this week (as seen in the footer of this website).

According to Google the +1 button is short for ‘you should check this out’. All someone has to do is tick the +1 button to tell the world they like a particular website. Google will then compile the results and tailor lists based on users interests and preferences.

This could have a strong influence on search engine results with impossible to guess outcomes at this stage.

You do need to have a Google account- such as a Gmail address that allows you to use a whole suite of different Google products such as Adwords, Google Books, Anayltics amongst others as well as the new “+1″.

The voting is done under your Username in Google so others will be able to see your votes. This also means that people won’t be able to vote 500 times for their own site as each tick for each individual website has to come from a different Google account preventing too much fraudulent behaviour.

So click the “+1 button” on websites you like, friends blogs you love and most importantly mine.

For more information head to the Google +1 Blog.

google_logo

Filed Under: Marketing Tagged With: , ,