Photo Credit jurek d.’s photos
Feed readers are a great way to stay current on our favorite blogs. The blogs are automatically updated, and we can pick and choose which posts we want to read…all in one place.
Today’s Lesson
If we read posts in a feed reader, we don’t “see” the actual blog, nor do we see any ads.
Although you can monetize your feed reader, that’s another subject.
So, the question becomes, “How can I turn my feed reader readers (that’s not a typo) into actual visitors, and possible ad clickers?”
Insert a link.
If a feed reader reader clicks on a link, it will take them off of the reader and onto the linked site.
So….insert a link to a post of your own.
Find an older post that adds value to the current one. Make it enticing for the reader to want to click on the link.
This will bring your RSS feed reader reader directly to your blog.
If you have ads, they may be tempted to click on one or two.
If you want your links to open in a new browser (window), a must read is: How To Create A Link In A New Browser
Today’s Assignment
Do you click on post links in your feed reader?
Do you mind that by clicking the link, it takes you off of the reader?
If you land on a site, do you find yourself exploring the site and reading more than one post, and/or checking out the ads?
I guess I’m unusual in that I use a reader only to be notified of updates, not for reading the posts. I always click through to the blog right away, except for a few blogs that are so ugly I can’t bear to look at them.
I like to see the variety of blog designs instead of just seeing the same old reader all the time, plus I might want to leave a comment, plus I want to see other people’s comments.
I generally just read the one post, but I’ll sometimes read a related post. I’m not much of an ad clicker, but I might click if something catches my attention (usually an image ad).
Hunter Nuttall’s last blog post..Make The Impossible Possible
Hi Barbara. If I have time and I want to comment I click through. Today, I’ve had no time to do anything, so yours is the only blog I visited by I just typed in the url.
I hate partial feeds and often won’t click through at all unless they sound really interesting.
The link to another post definitely works on me and I click through those a lot. But I only click ads that are really interesting. I’ve heard people mention ads in the rss feed, but I haven’t noticed any when I’ve been reading. I don’t know if I’ve become immune to them or if I just don’t visit blogs that have them.
CatherineL’s last blog post..There’s No Business Problem That Can’t Be Solved
Hi Hunter,
I know what you’re saying. Sometimes reading in the reader can get a little boring. I like to see what blog authors do with their site as that is part of their personality.
I like reading the comments too. They can add so much to the post, and some are awfully funny too.
Hi Catherine,
I feel honored that mine is a blog you frequent. I always look forward to your comments.
I know you use a lot of linking in your blog. Your older posts are loaded with so much great stuff, and the other links you provide are always a good read.
Like you, I have not yet seen any ads in RSS feeds, but I’m sure they’re out there.
Barbara’s last blog post..How Links Increase Visits And Earnings
Hi B!
Thanks for caring about my son.
I liked your idea of having links in your posts to other articles so that users can click on them in RSS readers… Never thought of that.
Though recently, my mind has been more my son and the economy than on blogging 🙂
Peace!
J2R
j2r’s last blog post..The new bubble – we caused this by being impatient
Hi J2R,
I’m praying your son is doing better. That can’t be easy.
Although I know you’re not posting regularly on your blog, I’ll be back to check up on you. I have you in my reader now, so that makes it easy.
Thanks for coming by and dropping me a comment. It’s good to hear from you again.
Barbara’s last blog post..How Links Increase Visits And Earnings
Hi Barbara,
You’re right about Catherine’s more recent posts that link back to older posts — there’s a better chance that I’ll check them out now. I also try to refer to my older posts in my new posts, if appropriate (and if I remember to).
The only other time I really check out older posts is when I encounter a blog for the first time.
Afterwards, I only keep tabs on the new stuff, and I couldn’t do it without my RSS reader.
I don’t really click on ads at all.
Nez’s last blog post..Why Be Wary of Super Cheap Products
Hi Nez,
Isn’t that great how that works? It sure helps to bring the old stuff back up to the surface. I noticed you do that on some of yours too.
Isn’t the RSS feed reader great?
Barbara’s last blog post..How Links Increase Visits And Earnings
Do you click on post links in your feed reader? yes
Do you mind that by clicking the link, it takes you off of the reader? I don’t read in a reader, but have been thinking of changing…what do you think the benefits are of a reader over email, other than the obvious…to a reader, but no, i don’t mind.
If you land on a site, do you find yourself exploring the site and reading more than one post, and/or checking out the ads? i read more post. i don’t click ads, especially if they want me to spend money. i click links to be educated. to read. not to buy. i’m broke already. 🙂
Natural Woman’s last blog post..WordPress and DST
Hi Natural Woman,
I personally get so much email (a log of junk), I don’t want to have to deal with more.
Using a reader puts all blog posts in one spot. When time permits, I can just click on that, and read what I have time for. Once I have read all of the posts of one blog, I can click “mark all as read” and only the new ones will be “highlighted”. I like being able to compartmentalize that part of blogging.
I’m not much of an ad clicker either. If I buy something I want to see it, check the quality, etc…
You’ve still got a 4.0 🙂
Barbara’s last blog post..How To Get and/or Add A Gravatar To Your Post Comments
I use the reader to see what the titles are for the posts, but always read the content on the authors site. I think that its a good way to see what else they have been up to and what improvements they have made to their blogs
Hi Steve,
I like to click through to the site if the post sounds interesting (and I might comment) otherwise I may just skim the post in the reader.
It is fun to see if the author has made changes to a site. Often they do.