So what exactly is RSS? RSS stands for ‘Really Simple Syndication’. Doesn’t help you much? Well don’t worry I felt the same not that long ago. Now I am a fan!
As I mentioned in the introductionof this series, on occasion I would be relying on expert advice for the blog basics posts. Below is a link to a helpful post from expert Darren Rowse at Problogger. Thanks to Darren for this great RSS explanation!
What is RSS? – Darren Rowse of Problogger
When I first started this blog I didn’t know much about RSS, other than it was important for a blog to have an RSS feed. Since I had no idea how it worked, I was relieved to find out my WordPress blog was set up for RSS automatically!
After I signed up for RSS myself I found out a bit more about how it works. As I read so many interesting blogs, it is a an excellent way of reading all of my favourite blog posts in one place.
Here is a step by step process for getting started.
- To start you need to sign up with a reader. I chose Google Reader. Bloglines is another one you can choose from.
- Unless you already have an existing Google account you will need to set up a log in and password. (Yes another password to remember!)
- Once you are in Google reader you can add subscriptions via the Add Subscriptions button. Type in the blog name and pick the one you want from the list. Another way to connect to the feed is by clicking on the RSS icon in the blog itself. Generally speaking in blogs, the RSS symbol will look like the orange icon in the photo for this post. Be aware that symbols can vary across different blogs.
- Once you are in Google Reader and subscribed to a few blogs or news feeders, you will see a list of subscriptions in the column on the left hand side. Each blog will be listed with the number of unread blog posts in bold. From there you can move from blog to blog reading what interests you.
- If you want to cancel your subscription, simply unsubscribe via the manage subscriptions option.
If you are subscribing to an online newspaper feed instead of say a blog, look for the words RSS or the RSS symbol on the home page (head towards the bottom of the page) and subscribe to the particular section of the newspaper you want to follow.
The RSS feed for Write Change Grow is at the top right hand corner of the page next to the orange icon. Click on the word Subscribe and off you go!! Each time I post it will appear in your Google Reader feed!
Also check out other parts of this series, Blog Basics - Introduction, Blog Basics – Blogrolls and Links and Blog Basics - Comments.
Cheers
Thea
This post was written by...
Thea – who has written 265 posts on Write Change Grow.
Hi! Welcome to my blog. I'm a freelance writer and blogger. For more Write Change Grow goodness, sign up for my free newsletter. You can connect with me on Facebook and Twitter.
My name is Thea Easterby and I am a freelance writer and blogger. Join me on my journey to become a full time writer.