What is a BLOG? What is an RSS Feed?...and why would it matter to me?

What is a BLOG? What is an RSS Feed?...and why would it matter to me? These are questions that are all buzzing around that I'd like to address.

What are BLOGS?
BLOGS are an easy, fun, free way for anyone to keep a dynamic website. They are the websites of the near future that will eventually replace HTML based websites. BLOGS were originally a novel way for one to keep an online journal (yawn), but have grown in popularity over the past few months.

BLOGS are basically "websites". They are user friendly; allowing anyone and everyone to have their own website, post comments, and maintain as a group.

BLOGS are a way to keep your BLOG readers up to date with what is posted on the BLOG. Many entities use BLOGS to keep their business patrons up to date with "what's new".

Where can I get a BLOG?
Google Blogger Blogs (I know, I know, it's a mouthful) are the most well known, most popular means of establishing your online calling card/newsletter with a BLOG. To open up and create your own BLOG by way of Google, go to www.blogger.com , create a user name and password, and start blogging! Be warned, though, that Google owns your blog if you use their service...total freedom and ownership of your own blog can be obtained by using "Wordpress" (www.wordpress.org) - Wordpress is more complicated though and requires that you have a website hosting account.

What is an RSS Feed?
An RSS Feed is a product of your blog in simplest terms. You post to your online blog journal, and the posts become part of your built-in RSS feed that Google provides for you. An RSS Feed is an easy way for your readers and subscribers to receive notice that you have posted new information to your blog. To access your RSS Feed and pass on to your would-be reader/subscriber base, login to your blogger.com account, look for the "settings" tab, then look for the "site feed" tab. There you will find your "site feed URL" which will look something like: http://yourblogname.blogspot.com/atom.xml

Why do I need this?
Predominately because of SPAM. SPAM is taking a chunk out of our every day lives. It is estimated that the average American processes 2,700 pieces of advertisement in one day! That's 112 advertisements per hour! What's happening is the important bulletins and information, though, is sometimes not making it through to you - even with email.

RSS Feeds enable YOU to pick what news you want and when you want it.

Keeping sharp with topics pertaining to your field of work:

Interested in keeping up with topics related to "business"? You may want to "subscribe" (this is all free by the way) to the Yahoo newsfeed at http://news.yahoo.com/rss by plugging this URL address into your feedreader - need a free feedreader? Here's one I like: http://www.sharpreader.net/SharpReader0960_Setup.exe

Interested in keeping up with topics related to "life insurance"? You may want to subscribe to the Brokerage Services of Carolina RSS newsfeed at http://brokerageservices.blogspot.com/atom.xml by plugging this URL address into your feedreader - need a free feedreader? Here's one I like: http://www.sharpreader.net/SharpReader0960_Setup.exe

More info to come as it comes to me...just subscribe to our what's new RSS Feed and stay in the know!

Best,
ash

Ashley Brooks, CLTC
Marketing VP
Brokerage Services of Carolina, Inc.
www.BrokerageServicesOfCarolina.com