Blog, RSS and Podcasting Related Articles

Internal Microsoft emails show that most 'Live Spaces' blogs were dead

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 23:36:00 +0000

Wordpress.com isn't getting 30m Live Spaces users - think of a much smaller number. No, smaller than that. And Microsoft isn't getting Wordpress to shift to Azure either.

Perfect kit for finding Windows Live Spaces users. Photo by windy_ on Flickr. Some rights reserved

Is Wordpress.com getting all those Windows Live Space users really that much of a coup? There was plenty of excitement on the Windows Live Space blog and the Wordpress.com blog about how "30 million" (say it in a Dr Evil voice) blog would get moved over from Windows Live Spaces to Wordpress because, um, well, nice weather we're having... Nobody seemed able to explain quite why. Or, in other words, Microsoft had signally failed to monetise those blogs. (Couldn't it have done what Mark Zuckerberg did with Facebook and just let it grow? Anyway.)

Now Joe Wilcox at Betanews says he has obtained copies of internal Microsoft emails which suggest that 99% of those 30m blogs are "dead".

The email exchange dates from 28 September, Wilcox says, the day after the announcement. Wilcox says he's not naming the participants because that might mean trouble for those involved. (Er, yes.)

As Wilcox sagely notes,

"It's not unusual for companies like Microsoft to overstate statistics that aren't otherwise easily confirmed. There's often huge PR advantage in larger numbers, and reporters tend to assume the figures are correct, particularly when they can't otherwise easily be confirmed. Often lowly public relations employees make these kinds of decisions. In this case, the number means much to WordPress.com, which could conceivably double in size over six months if just half of Windows Live Spaces bloggers migrated to the Automattic service. As of September, WordPress.com hosted 13.9 million blogs."

"However, according to a senior Microsoft manger e-mailing colleagues: "The net is: 300k sites are expected to migrate of the 30M 'blogs' -- most are dead. Wordpress is adding somewhere in the order of zero servers to handle this capacity. This was a 'who has the best online service for blogging for our customers' and had nothing to do with technology."

But it turns out there's a little more to this than meets the eye. Microsoft would dearly love Automattic - the company behind Wordpress.com - to shift to using its Azure cloud system (it's like Amazon's Elastic Cloud Compute system, better known as EC2). Last November at its Professional Developer Conference Microsoft suggested (or let it be thought) that Wordpress/Automattic is hosted on Azure, or would soon be moving over. From the transcript: "One company I'd like to highlight is Automattic, developer of WordPress. WordPress is one of the most successful and pervasive blogging systems in existence today, used by tens of millions of bloggers worldwide. WordPress is also a tremendous ISV who's been working extensively with Windows Azure during the CTP...."

But that isn't the case at all.

As the Automattic blog pointed out soon afterwards in an FAQ: "Q: Are you moving WordPress.com to Azure?
A: No. WordPress.com, which is Automattic's hosted blogging service, is going to stay on its existing infrastructure. Martin Cron from the Cheezburger Network launched a new blog Oddly Specific on Azure, which some people confused with Automattic."

The existing infrastructure, since you wondered, being Linux/Apache/PHP/MySQL.

And that's the crux, as Wilcox points out, of those internal emails. The Windows/Azure sales people are wailing: "Waah! Everyone is reading that there are 30 million blogs moving from Live Spaces on Azure/Windows to that damn Linux!" So the managers at Microsoft are trying to calm them down by saying that hell, there weren't that many people using them anyway.

However, neither end of the argument looks good for Microsoft's online efforts. Either it's giving up on a huge monetisation opportunity... or it never made any impact in blog hosting. So, choose your embarrassment, Mr Ballmer.

Create Professional RSS Feeds

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:26:00 +0000

Create Professional RSS Feeds
By Sharon Housley

More and more companies are using RSS as a means to communicate, so having an RSS feed that is professional and well polished will help differentiate your company from your competition. What makes an RSS feed professional? Follow these simple steps to polish your RSS feed and take it to the next level...

1. Feed Image

Add an image to your RSS feed. The image will be displayed by many feed readers each time your feed is displayed. This will help build and reinforce your brand or image in the minds of people who read your RSS feed. Adding an image to an RSS feed is relatively easy, and adds a level of professionalism.

2. Images And Links

Add images and links within the RSS feed. The process of adding images and links to the description field of an RSS feed is really quite simple if you are using software to manage your feed, while it may be somewhat complex if you are hand-coding your feed. Incorporating images or hot links in the feed's content will allow your readers to explore further and dig deeper into your content. The added benefit, of course, are the additional web links back to your site from any sites that choose to syndicate or display your feed's contents.

3. Validate

Properly formed code is important, in order to ensure that all RSS readers can read and display your feed. But it is also very important for another reason... nothing is more embarrassing or unprofessional than an RSS feed that is broken or stops working. Use software to manage your feed creation, and validate your feed on a regular basis.

4. Easy To Subscribe

Make your RSS feed easy to subscribe to. Include the traditional RSS icon, or an indicator site-wide, so that website visitors can easily locate and subscribe to your RSS feeds. Include basic directions on how website visitors should subscribe to your RSS feed.

5. Auto Discovery

Add "auto-discovery" code to the HTML header of your website. Many RSS aggregators include an auto-discovery feature, which allows them to automatically detect when a website offers an RSS feed. So, if your website visitors are using one of those aggregators, they will instantly know that an RSS feed for your content is available from your website.

Instantly create auto discovery code - http://www.feedforall.com/autodiscovery.htm

6. Favicon

Add a "favicon" to your website. Favicons (short for "favorite icons") are typically a tiny version of a company or Web site's logo, and appear in the URL bar of the user's web browser. When a user bookmarks a specific Web page that includes a favicon, that Web page loads the customized icon into the user's browser. Because the favicon is usually displayed next to the web site address, it can act like a small logo or an icon that visitors can use to remember the web site or the site address. Feed directories and RSS Search Engines will often use a favicon beside an RSS feed's listings. So be sure that you have one on your website; otherwise, you'll have nothing but a generic icon beside your feed. Webmasters can establish branding by creating a favicon for their website. Here is a free service from HTMLKit: http://www.html-kit.com/favicon

7. Subscribe To Your Own Feed

Always subscribe to your RSS feed, so you can see what your website visitors are seeing.

While it is not essential to incorporate the above elements in your RSS feed, the additions will result in a more professional and polished RSS feed that stands apart from competitors in news aggregators and RSS directories. Spending a few extra minutes here could easily draw more attention to your feed.

Realtors use RSS to Expand Their Reach

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:25:00 +0000

Realtors use RSS to Expand Their Reach
By Sharon Housley

While many realtors have real estate blogs, which is quite evident in the directory of real estate blogs at http://www.real-estate-blogs/blogs/ many are missing the opportunity to extend their audience even further by using RSS Feeds.

What is RSS?

RSS is a standard format for syndicating content on the Internet. The content can be anything! Often, information contained in an RSS feed is syndicated on other websites, which expands its reach. Website visitors love RSS because they choose which feeds they wish to subscribe to. And if at any point they are unhappy with the content contained in the RSS feed, they simply unsubscribe and no longer receive notification of feed updates.

RSS feeds are becoming an essential tool for Realtors, who are struggling in a declining market. Real estate offices that adopt technology as a marketing tool will remain one step ahead of their competition.

Why Should Realtors Use RSS?

There is little argument that RSS can and will generate web traffic. Realtors using RSS feeds will increase the traffic to their website, and more web traffic means more potential buyers. RSS feeds will expand a realtor's reach and distribution, meaning that Realtors will reach new audiences using RSS feeds. RSS reaches areas through syndication that are just not as accessible through normal channels or traditional realty advertising. Technically-savvy investors with deep pockets keep watch for new listings, and they will frequently scan RSS feeds for specific locations. Using RSS feeds, real estate offices are able to draw attention to specific properties they decide to highlight in their feeds.

Additionally, RSS is far less expensive than a print campaign in the local newspaper or journals. In fact, the only real expense involved to Realtors interested in creating RSS feeds is the time that it takes to add content to the RSS feed each day. Realtors can use RSS feeds a number of different ways.

How Can Realtors Use RSS?

1. Sell Homes
Realtors can promote homes and properties using RSS feeds. The content distribution and syndication using RSS feeds will exceed that which is possible via a local newspaper advertisement.

2. Promote Rental Properties
Realtors can promote rental properties, or seasonal listings using RSS feeds.

3. Promote Open Houses
Real estate offices can announce and advertise open houses using RSS feeds.

4. Real Estate News
Realtors can announce office news, promotions, or home sales using RSS. Showing how quickly a property was sold may encourage other sellers to sign up with a realty office. Realtors can also monitor industry news using RSS feeds.

5. Town Demographics / Statistics
Realty offices can provide demographics and statistical information for regions in which they sell homes using RSS feeds. Statistical information in RSS feeds will attract buyers interested in specific area or regions.

6. Town Events
Realtors can give potential clients a taste of the local flavor by providing a calendar of local events.

7. Virtual Tours
Realtors can provide home buyers with virtual home tours that promote the property's best features. Real estate offices can simply include a photo slide show or video in the RSS feed's "enclosure" field.

8. Mortgage Rates
Prospective home buyers can monitor mortgage rates through a variety of lenders using RSS feeds. Loan rate changes appear in the RSS feeds as the new mortgage rates are announced.

9. Promote Commerical Property
Business opportunities and commercial properties can be promoted using RSS feeds.

It is no secret that the real estate market is struggling, and realtors using technology to their advantage could be the key to a realty office's success.

Blog Tips for SEO

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:24:00 +0000

Blog Tips
By Sharon Housley

Blogs are the current rage, and many webmasters have blogs but fail to use their blog to it's full potential. Blogs provide a steady stream of fresh content, and if this content is written and managed properly, blogs have the ability to increase a website's ranking in the search engines.

1. Host Your Own Blog
In order to prosper from a blog, be sure to host it on your own domain. Hosting the blog on your own server will maximize the links to your website. Link popularity is one of the factors search engines use to rank websites. Resist the urge to use free hosting services, do not give away your link popularity!

2. RSS Feeds
All blogs should have an RSS feed. An RSS feed will allow for your blog posts to be easily syndicated. The syndication will result in links back to your blog from RSS directories or others who display the feed. Blog entries should be available via an RSS feed. Website visitors who subscribe to the feed will receive notification when new blog posts are added. If the title is of interest, they will click through to your website. This gives subscribers an easy way to know when a blog has been updated.

3. Use White Space
Be sure to make your content scannable. Few website visitors actually read blog posts; most web visitors simply scan a blog entry to determine its relevance or point. With that in mind, the blog posts should be displayed in short paragraphs. Overly long posts should be segmented into concise paragraphs or broken into bulleted lists to make scanning easier. Avoid the urge to "clutter" the post.

4. Titles Matter
You only have seconds to grab the attention of scanners browsing your blog. Use keywords and catchy titles to draw readers in. Blog post titles can be bolded for emphasis and white space should be used to buffer the content.

5. Grammar Matters
You will be judged by your knowledge and use of the English language. Search engines will make note of blog entries that lack proper punctuation or capitalization. If a blog post does not respect the rules of grammar and punctuation, it is possible search engines will make the assumption that a bot cobbled together the posts leading to a potential ban.

6. Legibility
As with any web design select fonts carefully, do not use micro or macro-fonts. Colors should be web safe, making it easy to discern and read. The background and background color should not obscure the text.

7. Navigate
Give readers somewhere to go, include links to additional information resources or extended information in the blog post. Including links in the actual blog post will ensure back links should the RSS feed be syndicated.

8. Communicate
If you create a post about someone, let them know, they might surprise you and link back or they might blog about your blog post, essentially creating a virtual dialogue. This is an easy way to build link popularity. Be warned however, simply mentioning a popular blogger on a blog will rarely result in a link back, the content of the blog post must "grab" their interest.

9. Incorporate SEO
Blog posts should be written as you would write a web copy. Posts should be natural and make sense while still incorporating keywords and keyword phrases that relate to the content.

10. Speed Matters
Web pages that are slow to load will frustrate users, be sure to use reliable web hosting. Compress graphics to maximize load time.

Use your blog to help your website attract traffic. Attention to search engine optimization details could mean the difference between popular and unpopular.

Finance Companies and RSS

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:23:00 +0000

Financial RSS Feeds
By Sharon Housley

Financial institutions are reaching out to clients using RSS feeds. While banks and financial institutions are usually slow to adopt new technology, that is not the case with RSS adoption. More and more professionals are using RSS in innovative ways, to stay ahead of their competition.

1. Bank Rate Changes
Bankers are using RSS to communicate bank rate changes. Feeds are updated regularly to reflect changes to adjustable rate mortgages or the interest rate for CDs.

example:
Federal Reserve http://www.federalreserve.gov/feeds/

2. Stock Monitoring
Stock analysts monitor stock market changes using RSS feeds. As specific stocks and bonds rise and fall RSS feeds are updated. Many of the tools allow you to customize RSS feeds selecting the stocks or mutual funds that you wish to monitor.

example:
Smart Money - http://www.smartmoney.com/rss/

3. Mortgage Rates
Customers seeking housing can monitor mortgage rates through a variety of lenders using RSS feeds. Rate changes appear in the RSS feeds as the new rates are announced.

example:
Long and Foster - http://homes.longandfoster.com/RSS/RSS.aspx

4. Employment Opportunities
Members of the finance industry can monitor job opportunities using RSS. As new jobs in the financial industry become available the job listings appear in the RSS feed.

Example:
4 Finance Jobs - http://www.4financejobs.com/show_content.php?id=1144527197

5. Currency Exchange Rates
Banks, financial institutions and economists can monitor currency exchange rates using RSS feeds. As the changes the new rates appear in the RSS feed.

examples:
Currency Source - http://www.currencysource.com/rss_currencyexchangerates.html.
New York Federal Reserve - http://www.newyorkfed.org/rss/

6. Foreclosures
Banks are using RSS feeds to publicize properties that are available via foreclosures.

Example:
Foreclosure Listings - http://www.foreclosurelistings.com

7. Auction Opportunities
Estate auctions are publicized and announced using RSS feeds.

Example:
Auction RSS Feed - http://auctionrssfeed.com/feeds/auctionboard.php

8. Financial Industry News
Financial analysts can now monitor the latest financial industry news by subscribing to RSS feeds.

Example:
Money Central - http://moneycentral.msn.com/community/rss/MoneyFeeds.aspx

9. Venture Investment Monitoring
Venture funding capital investors interested in watching trends in venture funding can subscribe to RSS feeds to determine where the venture capital funding is going.

Example:
Almeida Capital - http://www.altassets.com/rss/rss_index.php

10. Personal Finance Tips
Blogs containing personal finance tips are common place. Some of the best personal finance blogs have RSS feeds available.

Example:
This is Money - http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/rss#rssFullList

11. Credit/Debt Consolidation Information
Tips on Debt management and credit consolidation are a common feed topic.

Example:
TRX Credit - http://www.trxcredit.com/rss/

12. Tax Laws
Accountants are using RSS to stay current on the latest income and sales tax laws.

Example:
Australian Taxation Office - http://www.ato.gov.au/rss.asp

13. Investment Properties
Real estate investors can now watch for investment properties using RSS. As new properties become available feeds are updated.

Example:
Property RSS - http://www.propertyrss.com/

14. Continuing Education
Accountants and those in the financial industry can stay current on tax laws or brush up on investing by listening to podcast lectures.

Example:
Educational Feeds - http://www.educational-feeds.com/

15. Monitor Real Estate Sales
The temperature of the housing market is of significant interest to many in the financial industry. Investors can monitor property sales by creating a zip code specific feed or by subscribing to feeds the cover a specific location.

Example:
Realty Feeds - http://www.realty-feeds.net

16. Investment Advice and News
Investors are using blogs and RSS feeds to provide a smattering of investment advice to attract clients.

Example:
Security Exchange Commissions - http://www.sec.gov/rss/news/press.xml

17. Bankruptcy Announcements
RSS feeds to watch for bankruptcy filings of individuals and companies that have entered bankruptcy protection.

Example:
US Courts - http://www.wiw.uscourts.gov/bankruptcy/

18. Corporate News
Financial companies must stay current on corporations, and there are often press announcements, new product announcements or legal actions. Monitoring corporate feeds will keep analysts up to date on the latest information.

Example:
Agilent - http://www.agilent.com/about/newsroom/rss/

19. Loan Rates
Monitor lending rates for student loans, car loans or home equity lines by subscribing to RSS feeds.

Example:
Student Loans Rates- http://www.studentloannetwork.com/resources/rss-feeds.php

20. Tax News
Stay current on tax laws and changes using RSS feeds.

Example:
Tax News- http://www.tax-news.com/asp/rss.asp

Financial companies can stay ahead of their competition and maximize their time by using RSS to stay up to date on relevant industry news.

More great examples of Financial Feeds:
Finance Investing RSS Directory - http://www.finance-investing.com
Michael Page - http://www.michaelpage.com.au/rss/page/7187/met/1.html

RSS Feed Use in the Legal Field

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:22:00 +0000

Legal RSS Feeds
By Sharon Housley

Lawyers have never been known as a technical bunch, but more and more often you see a lawyer with a palm pilot making appointments and a blackberry for those urgent messages. Electronic gadgets are now common in the courthouses across the US. Lawyers have increased productivity by utilizing technology so it should come as no surprise that lawyers are using RSS feeds as a means to grow and manage their practices.

Lawyers are using RSS feeds a number of different ways to increase efficiency and productivity. Common RSS feed usage in the legal field include:

1. Ego Feeds
First and foremost, lawyers want to know what is being said about their firm. It is easy enough to monitor search engines and news searches using RSS. Lawyers create what is commonly referred to as "ego searches". These are essentially keyword searches (the keyword is the firm or lawyer's name). Each time the keyword appears in the news article or search engine a new item will appear in the feed. Lawyers can click through and view the source of the mention.

2. Current Events
Similar to ego feeds, lawyers use RSS to track current events that are related to cases in which they are involved. This might involve monitoring specific news agencies or topics.

Ego Search Tools - http://www.rss-tools.com/ego-search-feeds.htm

3. Firm Public Relations
Won a big case, what better way to convey it than sending a press release? Naturally, this release should also appear in an RSS feed.to help increase the distribution and reach of the press release. RSS can also be used by large firms to announce press conferences at the culmination of a case.

Law.com - http://www.law.com/service/rss.shtml

4. Court Cases
RSS can be used to monitor pending court cases, and rulings that might effect a specific segment of law.

RSSGov - http://www.rssgov.com/archives/000036.html

5. Pending Legislation
Lawyers can use RSS to monitor legislation that relates to specific cases or topics. Lobbyists can monitor votes of politicians and follow their positions on important issues.

GovTrack - http://www.govtrack.us/

6. Client News
Ego feeds can also be used to monitor the word on the street about a client. Whether the client is facing a criminal trial or a civil case, the press can undoubtedly influence a trial. Monitoring the press for mentions help lawyers prepare the best possible defense or prosecution.

Ego Search - http://www.feedforall.com/ego-searches.htm

7. Legal Calenders
Industry events can be followed using RSS feeds. Legal conferences and events can be traced on public RSS calenders.

Law School Calender - http://www.law.uoregon.edu/cal/events/index.php?com=rss

8. Share Research Tools
Lawyers can use social bookmarking tools and RSS feeds to share web research resources with colleagues. This can reduce the amount of time spent researching issues.

del.icio.us - http://del.icio.us

9. Legal Employment
Job feeds are increasing in popularity in all industries. Lawyers in search of employment openings can subscribe to RSS feeds and learn about new employment opportunities as they become available.

4 Legal Jobs - http://www.4legaljobs.com/show_content.php?id=1144741774

10. Court Rulings
Many courts are now publishing court rulings in RSS feeds, making them available to the general public.

Court Rulings - http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/subscribe.html

11. Court of Appeals
Appeals courts are also adopting RSS feeds to allow interested parties to monitor decisions coming out of the court of appeals.

US Courts - http://www.ca7.uscourts.gov/fdocs/docs.fwx?submit=rss_ops

12. Legal Organizations
The American Bar Association has an RSS feed and podcast that discusses litigation. Lawyers can use RSS feeds to stay connected to industry information.

American Bar Association - http://www.abanet.org/litigation/litigationfeed.xml

13. Continuation Education
Many legal courses have podcasts available, and lawyers interested in expanding their education on a specific segment of the law can listen to audio podcasts or subscribe to video podcast lectures.

Education Feeds - http://www.educational-feeds.com

14. Legal Blogs
Many lawyers have expanded their practices by setting up a blog offering legal advice. Often the contents of the blog are syndicated using RSS feeds.

Law Professors - http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/antitrustprof_blog/

15. Cease and Desist
There is even an RSS feed that contains Cease and Desist Letters. As cease and desist letters are added, clinical law students can annotate them with questions and answers.

Chilling Effects - http://www.chillingeffects.org/index.xml

Lawyers have begun using RSS to stay ahead and adapt to the needs of their clients. Members of the legal profession are using RSS in very specific ways. RSS is more than simply a communication medium to lawyers, it is helping them filter information that is relevant to their practice and case load. Through RSS they are able to gain access to relevant information in a timely fashion.

RSS and Academics

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:22:00 +0000

RSS and Academics
By Sharon Housley

Academia has embraced RSS as a means to educate, but scrutinizing how educational institutions are using RSS feeds in their daily routines show RSS is utilized can vary across different industries.

1. Share Resources
Academics are using social bookmarking websites to share quality websites that relate to their area of expertise with colleagues and students.

Examples of Shared Resources:
Delicious - http://del.icio.us social bookmarking system, can be setup to use as shared bookmarks, RSS feeds are available CiteULike - http://www.citeulike.org share resources

2. Class Blogs
From elementary schools to university blogs, online journals have flourished. Instructors have used blogging as a teaching tool. Helping students learn writing and reporting skills while understanding how to use technology. Many educational bloggers use RSS as a means to syndicate blog posts.

3. School Schedule Sports Schedule
RSS feeds can be used to communicate events scheduled on or off campus to prospective and existing students. Subscribes of a schools calendar feed receive notification as new items are added to the calendar.

4. Podcast Lectures
Podcasts can be used as study guides or even as class preview for students contemplating their course selections or choice of professors.

5. Monitor Research
Students involved in cutting edge research projects can use RSS to monitor news and search engines for specific keywords (like nanotechnology or coldfusion) by creating search feeds. Any time a mention of the keyword phrase occurs in a news piece the item will appear in the search feed.

6. Professional Development
RSS can be used for remote education. Teachers can lose less class time while still staying current on the latest techniques, trends and information in their field of expertise.

7. Job Searches
Professors and teachers can create job search feeds. The RSS feed will update each time a position that meets their criteria becomes available.

8. Collaboration (writely/wiki)
Universities in particular actively participate in collaborative projects and research. New tools have never made collaboration easier. RSS can be used in conjunction with many of the online collaboration tools to notify other contributors of changes.

9. Search Feeds
Students writing papers or working on research papers on specific topics can create search feeds, so that each time that topic is mentioned they receive notification in their custom search feed.

10. Study Guides
Many websites that are focussed on studying. Have created RSS feeds that contain daily questions. There are feeds for "word of the day" or "problem of the day". Students can subscribe to the feed and integrate long term studying into their daily routines.

11. Medical Education
A study recently showed medial students who listened to heart murmurs on an ipod, were more likely to accurately diagnose heart murmurs accurately in patients. Some medical schools have begun adopting podcasts as a means to educate.

12. Scholarships
Students can monitor high school and college scholarship opportunities using RSS feeds.

13. Grants
Academic researchers can monitor funding and grant opportunities using RSS feeds.

14. School News
Schools big or small can use RSS to communicate school news with their population, announcing staff changes, new courses or any other news that is relevant and of interest to the student population.

15. Student Financial Aid News
Students and parents can listen to podcasts that assist with financial aid, student loans and financial podcasts that tackle difficult topics like how to make college more affordable.

Locate Educational Feeds and Podcasts - http://www.educational-feeds.com

RSS is well suited for the world of academia and educators have embraced it as a medium. Technology and communication for years have helped advance the educational field for years. RSS feeds and Podcasting is a natural fit for academics, and its obvious when we look at how teachers, students and professors are using it to further education.

Musicians Podcast

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:21:00 +0000

Why Musicians Should Podcast
By Sharon Housley

Independent artists have long struggled to gain recognition and attract an audience. Without the backing of a major label it can be very difficult for independent artists to obtain radio play time, that is, until now. Podcasting a revolutionary new medium, has opened new distribution channels for independent artists. Podcasting is the process of distributing audio files using the RSS format and has become very popular with the younger generations.

With the use of technology, independent artists have a unique opportunity available, using technology they can significantly expand the exposure of their music.

Why should a musician podcast?

1. Distribution Channel
The power of distribution is no more evident then when looking at the iTunes Music Store, with independent podcasts garnering millions of downloads. Notoriety has been gained and celebrities have been made. Independent artists who produce podcasts should include iTunes tags in their podcast feed and list their podcast in the iTunes Music Store. A listing in the iTunes Music Sore will significantly increase a podcaster's exposure.

2. Gain Interest and Fans
Independent artists can attract listeners by creating a podcast with a music sampling.

3. Send Demos
Indies always searching for the brass ring or wanting to be signed by a big label can use podcasts for their commercial demos. Artists can promote their podcast and direct agents and labels to the demos as an inexpensive means to get signed.

4. Get Gigs
Night clubs looking for entertainment will listen to podcasts to find bands or artists who target their demographic. Clubs will have an idea of what to expect from the artist. Musicians might find themselves with additional booking as their podcast becomes a marketing tool.

5. Promote Gigs at Establishments
Establishments will be more willing to sign artists who will bring new listeners to their club. Musician can use their podcast to provide additional promotion for any booked events. The additional publicity might be the deciding factor, if the club management is torn between booking two artists.

6. Build a Community
Developing a community is critical to an artist's success. Podcasting and consistent communication with loyal listeners will help encourage and strengthen a musician's fan base.

7. Sell CDs
Shareware has long been a staple in the software community, adopted as a marketing method, to allow users the opportunity to sample software prior to making a purchase decision. Independent artists can use podcasting to sell their CDs. Sample music files or single songs that are given freely will encourage listeners to purchase a CD with additional songs.

8. Reinforce Listener Loyalty
Loyal listeners or "groupies" who listen to podcasts will share the podcasts with friends and extend the bands reach.

9. Announcements
Podcasting can be used as an additional vehicle to announce new songs, albums, interviews or other information relevant to the independent artists performances.

10. Cross Promo Opportunities
Bands who have a similar genre can exchange adverts in their podcasts and increase both of their fan bases. Quid pro quo promotion that costs little but can result in huge returns.

Independent artists have a unique opportunity available to them. Podcasting is a fairly new medium that has far reaching distribution opportunities. Independent artists were once restricted by geography, playing at local clubs to increase their base. Podcasting has no borders.

Producing a podcast can mean the difference between success and failure for an independent artist.

Podcasting and Education

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:20:00 +0000

Podcast and Education
By Sharon Housley

Schools all over the country have flocked to podcasting as a new medium to assist the teaching profession. Professors are using podcasts to instruct students and get their messages out. Podcasting is not restricted to one educational sector, professors at prestigious colleges from Bentley to Purdue have flocked to this medium.

A growing number of professors are recording their lectures, the term coursecasting has been adopted in academia. Podcast lectures are used as study tools, and are available for students who might have missed class. Some podcasts are password restricted to students who are enrolled in that specific class. While other institution's publicly post their podcasts and offer non-enrolled students insight into the class material.

Why has podcasting been embraced by the educational field? The adoption of RSS is likely in part due to the demographic higher-education attraction. Most college students are young and well educated. Because of their age the students have embraced technology, they have always had technology as a component to their life. This demographic have grown up with computers their entire lives, technology has always been an integral tool in their education.

Bentley initially adopted podcasting in the course IT 101, to introduce students to the concepts of technology as they relate to business, ethics and social responsibility, global commerce and culture. Students are not only required to listen to podcasts, but also to produce their own podcasts. Bentley, understanding the importance, influence and power of technology felt that students would benefit by obtaining a complete and thorough understanding of the podcasting medium.

Certain subject material lends itself to podcasting more than others, for example: foreign language lessons are ideal for podcasts because students can listen to accents, intonations, and speech patterns. Students listening to foreign language podcasts are able to hear and experience the language outside of the classroom.

Some educators are using videocasts to demonstrate science labs and experiments. The portability of the videocasts make it easier for students to review labs, when critically analyzing their data.

Educators are known for their philanthropy and desire to share their knowledge. Technology and podcasting as a communication medium have made it easier for educators to collaborate, share and provide material in a portable format. Podcasting allows professors to extend their reach outside the classroom. With the hectic pace today's students keep between classes, commuting and employment, podcasts fit, allowing students to maximize their commute and use their time efficiently while juggling it all. Just as home computers have become an integral tool in the educational field, todays hectic lifestyles make the need for educational podcasts and videocasts only more evident.

Additional Resources: How Podcasts and RSS are Used in Education http://www.small-business-software.net/rss-and-academics.htm

Locate Educational Feeds
Educational Feeds - http://www.educational-feeds.com
Educational Podcast Network - http://www.epnweb.org/

Podcast Interviews

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:20:00 +0000

Podcast Interviews
By Sharon Housley

Podcast Interviews
Conducting a successful podcast interview can be a tricky proposition for a podcaster starting out. Once you have determined individuals that will appeal to your target audience contact potential interviewees and arrange a time to conduct the interview. Following this guide will insure that the interview goes off without a hitch.

1. Prepare Questions in Advance
Prepare a list of questions prior to the interview, contemplate possible follow-up questions based on the expected responses. Create a list of notes along with the questions that are accessible during the interview and will help you direct the conversation.

2. Research Interview Subject
Do your homework about the individual or individuals you are interviewing. A little due diligence will go a long way. Search newsgroups and Google for the interviewees name, product, or company, and build a background. The research will help predict the interviewees responses to your questions. Listen to previous interviews in which the interviewee participated, read their blog and articles to get a feel for the interviewees position on issues.

3. Confirm Pronunciation
Confirm how the pronunciation of the interviewee's name prior to beginning the interview! It will save you from any potential embarrassment if the name is incorrectly pronounced.

4. Scope
Explain the scope of the interview to the person you are interviewing. It is important they are aware of the expectations, agenda, time and format of the podcast show. Create a stock email to send to interviewees that explains the format and tweak the email for any special cases.

5. Hardware and Software
Be sure to inform guests of any required hardware or software that they must install prior to the interview. The more advance notice your provide the easier it will be for your guests to be prepared.

6. Test!
Test equipment prior to beginning the interview. Check sound quality, and volume levels to make sure that the settings are correct.

7. Relax
In order to relax your guest spend a few minutes chatting before the interview begins this will put them at ease and relieve some of the guests interviewer's nerves.

8. Avoid Yes or No
Ask your questions in a logical sequence. When framing your questions, avoid questions that will result in "yes" or "no" answers. Questions should be open ended and you should encourage your guests to elaborate on their responses.

9. Provide Guests Tips
Make suggestions to your guest prior to the interview. Encourage the interviewees to talk slow, articulate their words, and to remain a consistent distance from the microphone throughout the interview.

10. Stay in Control
Keep in mind that YOU are the interviewer and you should be directing and controlling the conversation. Occasionally that means you might need to interrupt your guest or bring them back to the topic at hand. There are ways to effectively do this without being rude, practice language that you might use, or better yet watch television interviewers when involved in a conflict and take a cue from the language and techniques that they use.

11. Time Cues
Let your interviewer know that you will provide time warnings and involve, use statements like: "one more question", or "let's wrap this up, can you quickly tell me" to cue your guest that time is almost up.

12. Give Thanks
Thank your guest on and off air. Provide them a copy or link to the interview. Encourage your guest to link to the show, this could potentially bring your show some additional publicity for your show.

Locating Podsafe Music

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:19:00 +0000

Locating Podsafe Music
By Sharon Housley

Nothing really polishes a podcast more than background music or theme music. In the music world, these music segments are referred to as intros and extros. While many enjoy streaming Internet Audio and recording songs they like over the Internet, these songs cannot legally be used in a podcast.

PodSafe Music
Podsafe music refers to music specifically for podcasters. The music is licensed in such a way that podcasters can purchase a license to include the music in a podcast without incurring additional fees or expenses. In order to use traditional music that is heard on the radio in a podcast, podcasters may have to pay royalties for each time the song is played. Some music files licensed under public domain or creative commons are exempt from royalties and these songs are available for use in a podcast, but generally when searching for music to include in a podcast it is probably best to stick with music that is specifically designated as "podsafe".

Where to find Podsafe Music:
Fortunately the popularity of podcasting has spawned an industry of "podsafe" music. All podcasters need is an Internet connection, and they can have access to a variety of songs and musical clips that are deemed podsafe and available for use in podcasts.

Podcast Themes
If you want your podcast to have a distinct sound and you lack the talent to create a theme consider using Podcast Themes. Podcast Themes can create a unique musical theme for your show. Podcasters will own the rights to use the podcast theme and the podcaster will not be required to pay royalties for the themes use in podcasts.
http://www.podcasthemes.com/

Podsafe Audio
PodSafe Audio promotes music that is licensed under Creative Commons. Musicians can upload their music to the Podsafe Audio website. Podcasters can use the music files in their podcasts, they just need to credit the musician in the podcast, for the musical clip.
http://www.podsafeaudio.com/

Instant Music Now
Instant Music Now provides professional digital quality background theme music for purchase. Podcasters must voice over the music in intervals of 30 seconds or less. In other words podcasters cannot allow any music segments that exceed 30 seconds in length without any additional commentary.
http://www.instantmusicnow.com

Opuzz
Opuzz provides royalty free music to podcasters. Music clips can be purchased for as low as $ 2.99, there are no additional licensing fees for the use of purchased music clips.
http://www.opuzz.com

IndiePodcasting
Indie Podcasting podcasts offer a way for webcasters, broadcasters, and podcasters to find quality music content from new Independent and unsigned musicians. The promo podcasts and artist directory contain only 2 minute versions of songs, these clips can be used in podcasts but the artist should be contacted about the clips use. Those wishing to play full versions of the songs on the air or promote them in a podcast should contact Indie Podcasting for additional licensing information. http://www.indiepodcasting.com

Sound Effects - Partners in Rhyme
Partners in Rhyme provides royalty free sound effects, that can be downloaded and used in multimedia projects. A note of caution however, podcasters should be aware the Partners in Rhyme website does include a disclaimer, that the sound effects are believed to be in public domain but Partners in Rhyme is not responsible for verification, meaning if you use a sound effect and it violates a copyright you will be responsible.
http://www.partnersinrhyme.com/pir/PIRsfx.shtml

NeoSounds
Neosounds provides royalty free music tracks that start at $ 6.95 per clip and sound effects are available at $ 1.65 per clip. NeoSounds complicates things a bit though; if the licensee uses the music or sound effects in public (as in podcasting), the "Licensee" is required to fill in and submit a cue sheet to a local performing rights organization (PRO). There are no additional fees associated with submission of cue sheets.
http://www.neosounds.com
http://www.neosounds.com/?mod=info&modfile=cue_sheet

Adding music and sound effects to a podcast does not need to be difficult. There are a number of podsafe music directories that allow for podcasters to locate theme music or sound effects to enhance their podcast. This new industry understands the complexity of licensing professional music and the majority of these repositiories provide royalty free music clips for podcasters to use in their shows. Music and show sound effects give show a professional edge and really make it difficult for listeners to discern the difference between a hobby and a studio broadcast.

Making Your Podcast Standout

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:19:00 +0000

Podcasts are relatively inexpensive to create, as a result, and the quality in published podcasts is extremely diverse. Corporate podcasts can be very polished audio productions while hobbyist experimenting with podcasts may have dogs barking and children's screaming in the background.

After all it is the content that matters right? Well no, not exactly remember when black and white televisions could "kind of" tune into stations it was just a hazy effect. How many continued to watch the grainy or flipping screen. Rarely was the show so riveting did it hold the interest of the viewer. Unless of course the content was forbidden to young eyes (as in the playboy channel).

Sound Quality Matters
Having a decent quality microphone is critical to ensure that the audio recording is a quality recording. Filter out extraneous noises, or select a recording area that will not be Interrupted. Use recording software that will allow you to edit out audio snippets that are subpar.

If you generally record in the same location a fixed mic is generally better. If you do field recording you will want to consider a cordless microphone.

Intro and Extro (Outro)
Using music to introduce and end the podcast adds polish to the overall show. You can licensee rights to podsafe music that will allow you to use music in a royalty free capacity. If your show is popular you might find that the music is linked to your show, as part of your brand, so you will want to choose it carefully. There are a number of podsafe music directories where podcasters can purchase music that is royalty free, meaning there would not be any recurring charges when using the music in a podcast.

Theme Music
As with intro and outros, theme music can add a level of professional to a podcast. It is illegal to use copyrighted music in your podcast unless you own the copyright or license it through the proper channels. Consider visiting one of the podsafe music directories to locate music that is reflective of your show.

Edit
It is not enough to record the audio for a show. Polished podcasts are produced using audio editing software. The editing software allows podcasters the ability to filter unwanted noises and edit any dead air or parts of the show you dislike.

Catchy Relevant Name
Keep in mind that many listeners will find your podcast through a web page or search engine. Your podcasts title should be catchy and related to the podcasts content. The podcasts title should contain a slogan that conveys the general theme of the show.

Add iTunes Tags
The Apple iTunes Music Store has a huge audience. Podcasters can tap the iPod audience by adding the appropriate iTunes tags to their podcast. There are software applications that will walk you through the process of adding iTunes to podcast feeds. After adding the tags simply submit your podcast for inclusion in the iTunes Music Store. The listing should appear within a few weeks.

Spin-It
Podcasts are now a dime a dozen. In order to truly stand out the show needs a unique angle, a unique view, an interesting perspective, something different from all the other podcasts out there.

Logo / Image
Add an image to your podcast feed, the extra step will add a bit of polish to your show. Many podcatchers or RSS readers will display the image beside the podcast listing. The visual effect will make your podcast jump out of the list.

Understand Demographic
Who are Your Listeners? Understanding your audience will allow you to cater to them. Know the demographics of your target audience. A well-defined target audience will also help you find show sponsors or advertisers.

SEO for Podcasts
Optimize your podcast shows summary for search engines. Be sure to include keywords or related resources in the podcast feed. This will allow search engines to spider the text for words that relate to your podcast.

Transcript or Show Notes
Many podcasters neglect to include a show transcript, podcasters should consider including detailed show notes or a transcript of the show in the description of the podcast feed. If you display the feed this will increase the likelihood that those interested will find your show in the search engines and podcast directories.

Podcast Length
The show should only be as long as necessary, without being a rambling. Most listeners will have a limited amount of time to listen to podcasts, as a result they will be selective about what they listen to.

Keep it Regular
Create a recording schedule and stick to it, if you don't have time to do it properly then skip a show, your listeners will appreciate that you did not waste their time.

Podcasts are becoming more and more commonplace, distinguish your podcast by polishing it and properly publicizing it.

Monetizing Podcasts

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:18:00 +0000

Monetizing Podcasts
By Sharon Housley

Making Money for Podcasts
Podcasts started out as fun ways for ambitious garage DJs, independent musicians and talk show hosts, who had not ventured into radio broadcasting as a way to show their stuff and make a name for themselves. What started as a hobby for many, has turned into a lucrative profession for some.

Not surprisingly, podcasters, just like radio stations, have looked for ways to profit from their on-air dialogue.

Sponsorship
Many podcasters profit from their podcast by having companies related to the show's content sponsor the podcast in its entirety. Sponsors might also sponsor specific themed shows or show segments for a fixed fee.

Sponsorship is usually indicated by an audio advertisement. Audio advertisements are typically 10 to 20 seconds in length, and they may be inserted into the podcast show at any point. Podcasts can also include what would be considered traditional commercials very similar to what is heard in a radio broadcast. Like radio broadcasters, podcasters can recruit advertisers directly that wish to advertise, or they can work with an ad agency to locate potential advertisers. Not be left out, video podcasters can also insert video advertisements into shows to raise revenue, similar to what would be seen as a television commercial.

Advertisements in Podcast Transcripts
Many podcasters create transcripts of podcasts, and post the transcript in an RSS feed. Podcasters will often sell advertisements to be included in the podcast show transcript. Podcasters can recruit advertisers directly and negotiate the advertisement price or they can use a 3rd party network that will automatically insert advertisements into their podcast feed. The most effective advertisements, are not surprisingly those that are contextual and related to the podcasts contents.

There are a number of third party services that work with podcasters to match advertising partners with podcasters. The advertising agencies attempt to match advertising content with the podcast's content. Pheedo and AdSense for RSS Feeds are two of the more popular third party ad serving platforms for RSS feeds. When using Pheedo advertisers select the categories of their advertisements, the categories narrow the types of advertisements that will appear in their feed. Google Adsense for Feeds uses contextual language in the feed to place the advertisements that most closely relate to the RSS feed's contents. If you are using Google AdSense for Feeds and wish to improve the advertisement's relevance be sure to include as much about the podcast show in the feed description. This will mean that Google will be able to use the language in your RSS feed to serve related advertisements.

Publicize other Ventures
Many podcasters use podcasts as a covert advertisement. They use the podcast to attract interest to other products or services through which they receive a revenue share. Some podcasters promote products through affiliate programs or they own multiple ventures and use podcasts to subtly promote their ventures.

Subscription Based Podcasts
No, not Cerious radio, some podcasters have moved to a subscription model where subscribers pay a weekly, monthly or annual fee to subscribe to the podcast show's contents. Podcasters can build a subscriber base and profit from the podcast subscriptions and renewals.

Communication
Other podcasters see no need to profit directly from the podcast. The podcast is used as a means to communicate, establish brand and name recognition. Podcasters can create good will in their industry by publicizing consumer alerts, health warnings or other relevant and valuable information.

Additional Benefits - Part of the Whole
Some companies may promote their product or service by offering podcasts as an added benefit. In other words the podcasters are not selling the podcast in itself, but customers receive access to the podcast as part of something larger. Many organizations have found that providing a podcast to members in addition to other member benefits is a great way to increase membership.

Podcasting once defined as a geek hobby, has now spawned an industry. Entrepreneurs have adopted traditional advertising mediums to the podcasting technology as a way to make some extra money.

13 Tips to Maintaining and Growing a Feed Subscriber Base

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:18:00 +0000

You have an RSS feed and you have worked hard to get the word out. According to your logs you have subscribers! Now the hard part: how to retain the subscribers to your RSS feed. Follow these simple steps to insure that your subscriber base will grow.

1. Original Content
A consistent stream of original content will do well to earn subscribers loyalty. The best RSS feeds provide content that is compelling and unique. Do not rehash existing content, look for a unique angle or spin if you wish to cover something that is hot in the blogosphere.

2. Quality Over Frequency
A posts quality is far more important than a post's frequency. Readers will tire of rambling or nonsensical posts that contain no real value. Time is precious and there are plenty of feeds and blogs, in order to retain readers provide quality not quantity.

3. Get it Right
Syndication has the power to do damage; misquoting or just plain getting it wrong can affect your reputation and perpetuate incorrect information. Be sure to verify all your RSS feed and blogs information prior to posting.

4. Literate
Blog posts are not instant messages: you should always use proper grammar, correct spelling and punctuation. Your posts are a reflection of your knowledge; content presentation matters and will affect how you are viewed.

5. Griping
Do not constantly gripe, no one likes a whiner. If you are going to complain it is not enough to point out problems, you should offer a suggestion for improvement or specifics on how to solve a problem.

6. Balance
Titles of RSS Feed Items and Headlines of blog posts should relate to the contents of the actual post. There is nothing worse than just tempting readers with information and not following through. Use catchy titles but be sure to follow it with related content. In your actual posts, strike a balance be sure to provide enough information without overwhelming readers.

7. Focus
Regardless of your RSS feeds focus' stay on topic! Your feed or blog posts will generally revolve around a specific theme, don't stray too far or you might lose readers. If your RSS feed has a specific theme, stay true to that theme.

8. Length Matters
Not too long, not too short it is a difficult balance, but your post length does matter! If a post is excessively long consider breaking it up or partitioning it into easy to digest paragraphs or break it up into multiple posts. Post length should be consistent throughout your blog and feed. Try not to vary it too much.

9. Credibility
As a publisher, you want to be viewed as a credible source. Posting or reposting inaccurate information will reduce if not nullify any credibility that you have. Provide credentials when offering an opinion and be sure any factual information is accurate before posting.

10. Link
Include links to any related information in the description field of your RSS feed, this is a great way to supplement content. Outgoing links will also often result in links back to your blog or website.

11. Consistency
It is important to remain consistent, try not to vary too much in your daily posts. Stay true to your formula for content if it is working .

12. Listen to Your Audience
Readers will often communicate what they like and what they dislike about your content. It is important that you stay in tune with what your subscribers like and don't like and make the appropriate accommodations.

13. Advertisements
Do not clutter your RSS feed with advertisements. If you choose to include advertisements in your RSS feed be sure to strike a balance between advertisements and quality content.

Starting an RSS feed or is not difficult to attract readers, it is however difficult to retain readers. By following a few simple unwritten rules you will find your subscriber base swell.

Top 10 Podcasting Do's and Don'ts

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:16:00 +0000

Consider following these simple podcasting tips to get the most from your podcast and make it stand out from other podcasts in the crowd.

DO
1. Make it Professional
Regardless of whether you are podcasting from your garage or a corporate boardroom there is no reason that your podcast cannot have a professional sound and feel. Use software to edit the audio file and filter background noise. Listeners will not tolerate poor audio quality. With the wide range of relatively inexpensive software and hardware available there is no reason you can not provide good quality audio podcast.

2.Transcribe
Provide listeners a transcript or detailed show notes in the description of the podcast feed. This will help prospective listeners locate your podcast using ... If you do not wish to transcribe the entire podcast be sure to provide detailed show notes and links to products mentioned in the podcast.

3. iTunes Support
With automated tools like FeedForAll it is easy to add iTunes support to podcasts. By listing your podcast in the iTunes directory your will significantly increase your podcast's exposure. With iTune's huge audience and distribution, podcasters are foolish to not target this channel.

4. Content
As important as audio quality is, it should not be at the expense of content. What you have to say is just as important as how you say it. Provide engaging content that is informative, educational or entertaining.

5. Subscribe To Your Podcast Feed
Subscribe to your podcast feed, this will allow you to see and hear what your audience sees and hears.

DON'T
1. Stray
Do not stray too far from the topic. If your podcast is about cooking it is probably not the best idea to go on a tirade about your political views. While you will likely interest some of your listeners you might alienate others. Focus is important, and critical for retaining listeners.

2. Ramble
Make a point then move on, there is no need for redundancy and rambling. Dead air, or "umms" will drive listeners away, keep your show moving. Do not be afraid to use audio editing software to remove any uncomfortable silence or repetition, it will make your show more professional.

3. Forget Meta Data
It is critical that you include appropriate and relevant keywords in your podcast feed title and description, this will help listeners locate your podcast.

4. Skimp on Bandwidth
There is nothing worse than building a large listening audience and being unable to handle the bandwidth loads. Use a reliable web host that can handle your shows bandwidth. Bandwidth and accessibility is critical to a podcast's success.

5. Ignore Your Audience
Do not ignore your audience. Create a venue for listeners to communicate with you, whether it be through email, a forum or a blog. Listen to what your audience is saying, and even more importantly listen to what they are not saying.

Monitor your web logs and monitor your subscription levels and bandwidth to know when a show is a hit. By adopting good podcasting practices, you will be on the path to podcasting success. Following these simple podcasting do's and don'ts will get you started.

Podcast Recording Tips

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:15:00 +0000

Podcast Recording Tips
By Sharon Housley

Before you begin podcasting develop a plan and a format for your show. Determine the focus of your podcast and what types of guests you would like to interview. Time spent planning your show will contribute to it's success.

Location, Location, Location
When you are producing a podcast on a regular basis it is important that you select an appropriate location for the recording to take place. The location should be free of external distractions and relatively quiet. It is easiest if you use the same location each time, that way the equipment can remain in place and will not require moving or setup each time you produce a show.

The room should have a carpet or furniture that will absorb echoes and dampen the sound. The room should also have a door, so that you will not have unexpected interruptions. Reduce extraneous noise by turning off fans or any equipment. Consider hanging a note on the door, so that you will not be disturbed while recording.

Recording Away from Home
When taking your podcast on the road it is equally important that the quality of the podcast is not compromised for the sake of portability. Consider using a directional microphone or finding a quiet alcove for interviews when on the road.

Equipment
Make every effort to minimize background noise, at the very least use software that will allow you to edit out extraneous noises that occur while recording.

While Recording
Before you begin recording sample different volumes and microphone distances and determine what levels result in the best recordings. To save time, do a test recording and listen to it prior to every show, this will help you catch anything that was inadvertedly unplugged. Spending a little more money on your microphone goes a long way.

Permissions and Contracts
The legalities surrounding audio recording are a bit muddled. Regardless of what the legalities are in your region, it is best that you request permission prior to recording anyone!

When requesting an interview with a specific individual, be sure to tell them the topic of the show and give them an idea what types of questions to expect. Let them know how long the interview is planned for and the format of the show. Let prospective interviews know whether the broadcast will be edited or will the interview be broadcast live. It is always a good idea to provide interviewees a link to previous interviews. If the interviewee will require any specific equipment or software, provide them ample notice and do a test run to ensure that everything is working properly.

Interviews
A little preparation goes a long way; if you have an interview scheduled, be sure to adequately prepare. Make sure that you can accurately pronounce the interviewers proper name, and ask them prior to the interview how they would like to be addressed. Research the interviewee and come up with a list of questions. In some cases it might be appropriate to provide the interviewee the list of questions prior to the interview, this will not only help them prepare but help them relax and prepare for their on-air debut. If you prefer not to tip your hand in providing the questions prior to the interview, then be sure that you have an idea of what their reaction and responses will be. Follow up questions should based on the interviewee's reactions to your queries. While broadcasting, use your research notes as talking points to direct the conversation. When you guest is talking let them explain their point of view; don't interrupt them unless there is a point to clarify.

Biographies of show guests should be included in the show notes or on the shows websites. Request the interviewee send a photo to be included along with the biography. After the show is published be sure to thank the interviewee and provide them a link to the finished interview along with instructions on how they can listen to the show.

Have Fun
Use voice inflections to add emotion and passion to your comments and questions. Use music between segments not only does theme music create a brand and audio identity, it also helps transition one segment to another. Intro and outros can soften a podcast and give it a little extra polish. Introduce your podcast at the beginning and end of the show. Remind listeners who and what they are listening too. This is your opportunity to establish your audio brand. And finally have fun, listeners will be able to tell if your podcast is a labor of love or a painful rendition, keep your spirits up and your mood light!

Find Niche Feeds

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:15:00 +0000

Just as the second generation of search engines and directories evolved into niche topic specific portals we are seeing the same occur in the area of RSS feed directories and search engines. While some directories are admittedly more niche than others the trend is obvious.

Financial Industry
If you are in the finance industry you can monitor currency exchange rates, bank rates and track investments using RSS feeds. Financial institutions have found RSS to be an optimum way to communicate CD rates, interest rates, currency conversions, and even investors are using to monitor stocks. Use RSS to track currency conversions, stocks, bonds, bank rates and other financial related information.

Locate feeds:
Financial Feeds - http://www.finance-investing.com

Security Industry
If you are in the security sector, or just want to stay updated on any security alerts, you can subscribe to a multitude of security related feeds. There are security feeds for virus alerts, avian flu information, homeland security alerts, and system vulnerabilities.

Locate feeds:
Security Feeds - http://www.security-protection.net

Medical Field
If you are a physician or part of the medical field it makes sense to stay informed of any news in medical fields. You can subscribe to feeds that discuss various exotic diseases, conditions, experimental treatments, and monitor drug trials.

Locate feeds:
Medical Feeds - http://www.medical-feeds.com
MedWorm - http://www.medworm.com
HubMed - http://www.hubmed.org/
NHS - http://www.library.nhs.uk/rss/directory/default.aspx

Health Career Job Feeds
If you are in the medical field and interested in monitoring industry jobs, subscribe to RSS feeds for specific types of positions or specific locations.

Locate feeds:
Health Career Net - http://www.healthcareernet.com/feeds/feedsdirectory.aspx

Real Estate
Are you looking for a new home, or perhaps just considering investment property. Subscribe to RSS feeds for specific regions, so that you are notified instantly when a new home becomes available in a specific town or area.

Locate feeds:
Realty Feeds - http://www.realty-feeds.net
ML Podcasts - http://directory.mlpodcast.com/directory/directory.php
RealtyFeedSearch - http://www.realtyfeedsearch.com/

Religion
Is religion an important part of your life, but you don't have as much time as you would like? Consider subscribing to faith based sermons, or bible studies. Churches, ministries and are using RSS to reach their congregations, schedule events and even to broadcast sermons. Podcasting is becoming mainstream with young devout populations. The progression and adoption are a natural step as youth bring technology to their faith.

Locate feeds:
Religious Podcasts - http://www.religious-podcasts.net
Godcasts - http://www.godcast1000.com/
Church Podcasts - http://churchpodcasts.com/

Automotive
If cars are your thing, a variety of RSS feeds exist from user car feeds to automotive news and car forums.

Locate feeds:
Automotive Links - http://automotive-links.mustangv8.com/RSS-directory/index.php

Legal Feeds
If law is your area of expertise monitor weblogs with emphasis on the law or legal related issues and concerns, or follow court rulings using RSS feeds.

Locate feeds:
Blawg - http://www.blawg.org

Sports
Are you a sports fan? Want to stay informed about your favorite teams or athletes? Perhaps you just want some tips to improve your game, sports feeds of all types exist.

Locate feeds:
Sports Feeds - http://www.sports-feeds.com
Sports podcasts - http://www.sportspodcasts.com

Educational
Are you an educator? Education has always been a great source of collaboration. It should come as no surprise that teachers and educators are sharing their educational podcasts and RSS feeds.

Locate feeds:
Educational Podcast network - http://epnweb.org
Educational Feeds - http://www.educational-feeds.com

Political Feeds
Are you a political pundit, attempting to follow politics debates or monitor the ins and outs of the latest political issues? Use RSS to stay up to date on your favorite candidates or issues.

Locate feeds:
Political Feeds - http://www.political-humor.net

Government Feeds
Want to know what bills your representative voted for or perhaps you have a specific issue of concern you would like to stay current on. Subscribe to local, state or federal government feeds to stay abreast on the latest issues related to the operation of the government.

Locate feeds:
Government Feeds - http://www.government-central.com

Vertical search and niche directories are becoming authority sites in a crowded online world. These niche directories will help individuals in specific industries locate topics essential to their industries.

A Quiz: Test Your Podcasting Knowledge

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:14:00 +0000

How much do you know about podcasting? Take the podcast quiz and test your knowledge.

Question: Are there any size limitations to podcasts?

Answer: There are no maximums or minimums when it comes to podcast size. Obviously, the larger files might intimidate listeners with a slow connection. Podcasts can be successful at any size, generally wise podcasters balance the file size and the quality of their show.

Question: What are ID3 Tags?

Answer: ID3 tags consist of meta data that describe the contents of the audio file (typically ID3 tags relate to MP3 files). ID3 tags generally contain information related to the audio file, including things like title of the audio file, the artist, album, or other relevant information. There is speculation that podcasting search engines and directories will use the information contained in the ID3 tags to categorize, search, and group podcasts in the future.

Question: Are Podcasts are always in the RSS 2.0 format?

Answer: No, while RSS 2.0 was the first version to support enclosures, RSS version 1 also now includes an enclosure tag for podcasting. While the current RSS 1.0 supports podcasting, RSS 2.0 is by far the more popular format for those podcasting. This is not only because RSS 2.0 was the first standard to support enclosures, but also due to the fact that Apple iTunes uses RSS 2.0 for it's podcasts.

Question: Can podcasts be restricted to a specific group of listeners?

Answer: Yes, while there are no provisions in the RSS 2.0 specification for passwords or protecting files, as with any web documents, podcasts can be password protected by placing it in a subdirectory. You can use any security mechanism available on the http server to protect the entire feed or the actual audio file.

Question: Are there any fee based podcasts?

Answer: Yes, while the model has not yet been widely adopted, some publishers have experimented with providing fee based "commercial-free" podcasts. Rather than charging advertisers to advertise in the podcasts, the publishers have monetized the podcasts by charging listeners for the contents of the podcast. Typically the audio file is password protected and only subscribers are able to download or listen to the file. The model is similar to that which the cable shows HBO/Showtime use, where they charge a fee for premium content. It is likely that educational podcasts, or language lessons will adopt this model.

Question: What file formats are acceptable in a podcast?

Answer: It really depends on what your definition of a podcast is. Initially the term podcast referred to any RSS feed that contained an audio file as an enclosure. The usage of the term podcast has expanded and now many people consider any RSS feed that includes a file in the enclosure field to be a podcast. In other words, many people use the term podcast to refer to an RSS feed that has a video file, or power point presentation or other enclosure.

Technically you can put just about any type of file in the enclosure field. If you are referring to a traditional audio podcast, for the sake of compatibility, most podcasters use either MP3 or M4a. The added benefit of using an MP3 or M4a file is that both formats are also supported by iTunes, which allow people to expand their podcast with iTunes tags and include it in the iTunes Music Store.

Interested in additional RSS FAQs visit the RSS Knowledgebase http://www.feedforall.com/podcasting-knowledgebase.htm or subscribe to the RSS knowledgebase feed http://www.feedforall.com/podcasting-knowledgebase.php

RSS Technologies

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:13:00 +0000

It is difficult to have a conversation about technology these days that does not involve RSS. In the age of the Internet, communication is expected to be instantaneous. RSS offers instant real-time distribution in an on demand world.

What is RSS?
RSS is a standard format for syndicating information or content over the Internet. Once a visitor subscribes to an RSS feed, they receive the new information each time the feed is updated.

RSS Does Not Equal Email
RSS is not email, nor is it designed to be a replacement for email. RSS is a supplemental communication channel that can be used to deliver content. Email newsletters have had an increasing problem with spam. Email open rates have plummeted, filtering systems have become increasingly complex and with the complexity and volume even "approved" messages have been unable to get through.

RSS feeds are opt-in, and in most cases subscribers need not provide any personal information to subscribe. RSS is simply an alternative method to communicate with your audience.

Use RSS to supplement email. RSS technology is a great supplement to email communication, it will allow you to avoid spam filters and quite possibly reach a new audience that is leery of providing personal information to subscribe.

RSS does not have the problems that are inherent to email marketing. Email filters, do not prevent the message from going through. RSS does not have any costs associated with list maintenance. With RSS, the sender is known, compliance with the CAN SPAM act is not an issue. RSS is 100% opt-in, there are not any worries of misdirected email or customers not receiving the information due to spam.

RSS and email are not mutually exclusive. While it is true that there are significant benefits to RSS that are not inherent to email communications. RSS has not yet reached the tipping point. Therefore it is best to offer both RSS and email as options to customers.

RSS Does Not Equal Blogs
Many assume that RSS is only for syndicating the contents of blogs, nothing could be further from the truth. Blogs and online journals have rocketed to popularity in the last few years, and many bloggers use RSS as a means to distribute and syndicate their blog posts. Subscribers receive information each time the blog is updated. However this is NOT the only use for RSS. RSS can deliver any kind of content, including forum posts, discount coupons, newsletters or press releases. Blogs are just one type of information syndicated by RSS feeds.

Blogs may be syndicated using RSS, but do not assume that content found in an RSS feed is from a blog.

How is Podcasting Related to RSS?
Podcasts are simply RSS feeds that contain audio content in the enclosure field. Over the last year the term podcast has expanded to include RSS feeds that contain videos as well as audio files. Podcasts use the RSS specification to deliver the rich media.

In the short time RSS has been around, many misconceptions have been formed for a surprisingly simple concept. RSS is simply a standard for syndicating information (any type of information) on the web. Users opt to subscribe the information in an RSS feed.

How do you get ideas for blog posts and RSS feed posts?

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:12:00 +0000

The best blogs and feeds are those that contain unique, fresh, compelling, content. So where do these prolific posters get their ideas? I talked to a handful of bloggers to determine where their inspiration originated for their content.

Not surprisingly, ideas for blog posts or RSS feed items originate or are influenced by other web content. The following are venues for finding your online muse:

1.Google News
Monitor Google News for keywords related to your industry. If you find a story you disagree with or wholeheartedly agree with write about it. Add your thoughts, and editorialize the content. This does not mean you should just repost Google news summaries. The value is not only in the news aggregation, but in the commentary that you provide. Tie news items to specific events, conditions, or the impact of specific news on the industry. Adding a view point or reference to a news article adds genuine value.

2. Web Logs
Look at your websites "long tail", and examine your web logs. Find phrases that are relevant to your website and write in-depth information about those subjects. This is particularly helpful if the blog or RSS feed is used as a marketing tool for the website. By focusing on obscure or less popular search terms and phrases that are found in your web logs, you will not only find that you provide content of interest to your readers, but you will attract additional web traffic.

3. Collate
Many bloggers have established themselves as "experts" by simply amassing and organizing a large collection of information that relates to a specific field. Use the blog or feed to announce and organize information, new products or services in an unbiased way within a specific industry.

4. Search
Most people assume that there is information on every subject on the Internet, but that is not necessarily the case. If you stumble on an area where there is minimal content, consider it an opportunity. Continue developing content. Chances are if you were searching for the content someone else is as well, develop a blog post or RSS feed for information that find inaccessible.

5. Untouchable Content
Consider tackling all of the content that many other publishers find difficult or uncomfortable. Controversial or content that is difficult to write about is often overlooked, look at challenging content as an opportunity.

6. Monitor Authority Blogs
Watch authority blogs for developing industry news. Comment on any breaking news or editorials that you either agree or disagree with. This may attract the attention of an authority blog and could result in a link to your commentary. Be sure to credit the source of any blog posts that you comment on or quote.

7. Advice
If you are an expert? Consider developing an advice column. Let readers send you questions and post the questions and answers in your blog or RSS feed. This allows your readers to direct your content.

8. Conversations
Many bloggers and publishers discover topic ideas from conversations. Create dialogue with both individuals familiar and unfamiliar with your blog topic, the questions that come up could be good fodder for posts.

9. Forums/ Newsgroups / Usenet
Forums are great places to find topic ideas. Read topic specific forum posts then editorialize and summarize the posts.

10. Look Outside the Box
Do not constrain your thinking to parameters found online. The best RSS feeds and blogs are targeted, clear, consistent, and unique. It is okay to occasionally step outside your comfort zone to find appealing content.

While breaking news has obvious value, so to does timeless content and "how to" posts. Don't be afraid to mix it up and provide readers a combination of the two.

Blog and RSS Feed Etiquette

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:12:00 +0000

Blog and RSS Feed Etiquette
By Sharon Housley

Citizen journalists and writers have become common place on the web. Perhaps you are considering blogging, but are unsure of how to enter the world of online journaling. As the medium has grown, I thought it might be a good idea to put together some general guidelines for new bloggers and reminders to veteran bloggers about blogging practices.

There is no Emily Post in blogging that offers etiquette advice, or a Miss Manners that details appropriate behavior. That does not mean there are not acceptable and unacceptable actions that bloggers should take. In order to efficiently communicate as a blogger on the Internet, it is critical to understand the unwritten rules of blogging etiquette.

If you copy another blog's post should you link to them?

Yes, blog manners dictates that you make every effort to credit the original source of the blog post, this should be done through a link. The link should not contain the "nofollow" tag. Generally speaking the commentary about the quoted post, should be at least as long as the post that is copied.

How much can you quote of another persons blog post?

Fair use allows for posts or portions of posts to be quoted, but it is generally good practice to only quote what is necessary to retain the context of the post. When posting an excerpt from someone else, it is imperative that the context of the post remain intact.

If someone complains about having a blog post copied, what should you do?

The appropriate course of action would be to remove the offending post and replace it with text that explains why the post was removed. Even if you feel the post was simply fair use, and not a copyright violation, net courtesy dictates that you respect the wishes of the original poster and remove the content.

Why should you credit your sources?

Always credit the sources of your information. Attribution is important, it not only extends your credibility but it also will help build your channel for future content. Sources seeing that you give appropriate attribution will often reward you with additional information in the future.

How do I validate information?

As a blogger, reputation is everything. All items should be confirmed prior to posting. Consider using two sources to verify that information is accurate prior to posting. Also always use credible sources. Second sourcing and relying on credible sources will ensure that posts are accurate.

I made a mistake, what should I do?

If you have a change of heart, or posted something that is not 100% accurate, apologize to your readers and correct the information as soon as possible. Not only is it the right thing to do, but often feeds or blog posts are syndicated and unless a correction is made the words could perpetuate unchecked. If the mistake occurs in a blog post in addition to posting an apology, go back to the original post and strikeout the incorrect content and add a comment indicating why the post has been changed.

How should my posts be formatted?

Break posts into readable chunks. Generally the best posts are broken into multiple paragraphs. Be careful not to alienate readers by using ALL CAPS, this is considered "shouting" online and is thought of as very rude.

Do I have to use proper grammar in by blog?

Proper grammar matters, grammar and spelling may be inconsequential when instant messaging with your friends but blogs, immortalize your words, the Internet is becoming an archive for the past. Appropriate grammar should always be used when blogging or posting to an RSS feed.

What does off the record really mean?

Always respect your sources. If you are told something "off the record" do not report about it, post it or share it with anyone.

What exactly is copywritten?

Any creative works are copywritten. In the US and many other countriesm, even if the creator does not apply for a copyright, the creative works are protected by the copyright laws the moment the creative work is created. Unless the creator waives those rights, the creative cannot be reproduced or modified without the creators permission. Copywritten work includes images, text, music, or software.

If posting a controversial piece, is it appropriate to include the opposing view?

It depends on the style of your blog or RSS feed, but in general, it is best to include an opposing view point on any controversial items. Let your readers view both sides to the controversy, they will respect the balance your provide.

Following basic netetiquette when blogging and posting to RSS feeds will build credibility and a following of loyal readers.

A Quiz: Test Your RSS Smarts

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:11:00 +0000

You think that you have mastered the art of RSS, but how much do you really know? Take the RSS quiz to test your knowledge of RSS.

Question: If something is in an RSS feed, it is perfectly fine to reproduce the contents of the feed. I mean after all RSS means really simple syndication, right?

Answer: No, that is not true. Regardless of whether content is in a feed or not, the original creator of the content has the right to restrict its use. While most people do feel that if content is in an RSS feed, it is available for syndication--that is not always the case. Various groups have made efforts to add namespaces which expand the tags used in RSS, to define whether the content is available for syndication. The two most notable namespaces that detail permissions are the Creative Commons extension and the Bloglines' Access extension. These two extensions are not yet widely supported so it is always best to check the terms of service associated with the feed or website to determine if the feed is available for syndication.

Question: RSS is only for blogs right? All blogs have RSS feeds right?

Answer: No, and No! While blogs may have helped increase the popularity of RSS feeds, RSS feeds are not specific to blogs. RSS feeds can be used for any type of content not just blogs. In fact, there are probably more RSS feeds available for non-blogs than there are feeds for blogs. Publishers have used RSS feeds for articles, press releases, discounts, podcasts, calendars, alerts and the list goes on and on.

Question: When I add a new item to the feed, do I simply edit the old .rss file or do I create a new one?

Answer: If you are adding content related to the theme of the original RSS feed, you should always expand your existing RSS feed rather than creating a new feed. Do not edit any of the RSS feed's existing items, simply add a new item to the existing RSS feed.

Question: Can RSS Feeds be set up for private list subscribers and what kind of security is available for RSS feeds to support a private feed?

Answer: Yes, while there are no provisions in the RSS 2.0 specification for passwords or protecting files, you can use any security mechanism available on the http server to protect the entire RSS feed. The security options are dependent on the capabilities of your web server.

Question: What is a feed reader?

Answer: A feed reader can also be referred to a news aggregator. RSS feed readers come in all shapes and sizes and are just tools that make it easy for users to view the contents or headlines of the RSS feeds they subscribe to. Feed readers can be desktop applications, or web applications. Desktop readers are programs that behave similar to an email client, you add new feeds and when the RSS feeds you subscribe to are updated new items appear in the RSS reader. The web aggregators are websites that aggregate all of your favorite feeds, the web page dynamically updates as new items are added to the feeds you subscribe to. Many email applications now also include the ability to monitor RSS feeds. As the popularity of RSS increases, the options to read and monitor feeds is expanding.

Question: Can you block a search engine from accessing a feed?

Answer: You can use a robots.txt to indicate to search engines that specific RSS feeds should not be indexed. Most search engines will observe the contents of a properly formatted robots.txt file.

Question: What is a GUID?

Answer: A GUID is a globally unique identifier. The RSS specification strongly suggests that each RSS feed item have a unique GUID. If you are creating feeds, a GUID is important because GUIDs are often used by feed readers and aggregators to determine if a feed item is new or simply an existing item that has been updated. Each item in the RSS feed should have a different GUID.

Interested in additional RSS FAQs visit the RSS Knowledgebase http://www.feedforall.com/knowledgebase.htm or subscribe to the RSS knowledgebase feed http://www.feedforall.com/knowledgebase.php

Top 10 RSS Do's and Don'ts

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:10:00 +0000

Top 10 RSS Do's and Don'ts
By Sharon Housley

RSS is not quite a household word, but technically astute individuals are adopting the use of RSS feeds at an alarming rate. If you are interested in jumping on the bandwagon, but not quite sure of where to start, consider following these simple RSS feed tips to maximize feed compatibility and make your feed stand out from the crowd.

RSS DO's

1. Titles and Descriptions.
Always include meaningful keywords in your RSS feed's Channel title and description. Many readers will view or search for topic specific RSS feeds using keywords or keyword phrases. If you have descriptive keywords in your RSS feed's title and description the feed is more likely to be located and subscribed to by interested parties.

2. GUID Format.
Always include a GUID with each feed item. The GUID is a globally unique identifier. Each post should use a different GUID. The GUID will in some cases assist RSS news readers and aggregation software in determining when new content has been added to the RSS feed or when existing content in an RSS feed has been modified. If you do not use GUID's, the software used to aggregate the feeds may have difficulty detecting changes to feed items or the software may not always recognize new content.

3. Publish Dates.
Always include a publish date on feed items. The publish date should be used even if the content is timeless. The Publish Date will help readers determine that status of the content contained in the feed item.

4. Polish Your Feed.
Consider including images within your RSS feed. While the added images will not necessarily improve ranking, they will add a polished look to your RSS feed and help brand your feed.

5. Feed Hosting.
Either host your own feed, or set it up to forward to a third party from your website. This will allow you retain complete control over the RSS feed. You will not need to rely on the stability of another company. If you control the forwarding and at any point you are dissatisfied with the service provided by the third party, you can redirect the feed to another location.

RSS DON'Ts

1. Plagiarize.
Do not plagiarize content in your RSS feed, there is little more to be said. Written words are considered protected in most countries. Posting someone else's work and taking credit for their words is wrong and will damage your reputation as a credible source.

2. Splog.
Do not create splogs by automating feed creation. Splogs just clutter the search engines and directories and make it difficult to locate RSS feeds with meaningful content.

3. Violate Copyrights.
Do not violate copyrights by republishing an RSS feeds contents. If you quote content from another RSS feed, credit the source and provide and link to the original source of the content. As a rule of thumb, editorial content should exceed the length of the quoted material in the post.

4. Violate TOS.
Do not republish RSS feeds without confirming that feed syndication is allowed. The terms of use are not always apparent, so it is important that you check the terms of service on the publisher's feed subscription page prior to syndicating the contents of another publisher's RSS feed.

5. Provide Multiple Feed Formats.
Do not provide multiple feed formats for the same content. As far as the subscriber is concerned, the version of RSS that you are using is irrelevant. Multiple versions of the same feed simply cause confusion. Almost all RSS readers and news aggregators support all versions of RSS, simply choose a version and provide a single feed.

By adopting good feed practices, you can reap the benefits of having an RSS feed. Following these simple RSS do's and don'ts will get you started on the path to RSS success.

Blogging a Dangerous Game

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:10:00 +0000

I have heard many a blogger say that blogging fills a need. While blogging provides a humanizing effect on news and journaling, it also opens a window into personal lives. The details shared in blogs were once only available to a select group of friends, and while blogging has become common place, it has risks that should not be ignored.

Cyberstalking is a new phenomenon that allows anonymous online stalkers to prowl for victims. Online bloggers traditionally provide personal details about their lives. As a result, many women that blog are becoming victims. Most people are concerned about children on the Internet and set up rigorous posting guidelines for children, adolescents, and teenagers, but few adults heed the warnings and often do not consider that they too can be targeted.

Females, in particular, should be cautious when circumnavigating the blogosphere. If you are a blogger or contemplating an online journal, consider these tips to protecting your identity:

Do not have an online profile.
Most blogging services allow bloggers to create an online profile. While it might be fun to post information about likes and dislikes, it is best to refrain from posting any personal details. Often, personal details inadvertently provide insight into physical location or habits. The aggregate information in a personal profile can also assist someone interested in pursuing an individual.

Post anonymously.
Manage your blog anonymously or adopt an alias for all online posting. This will help protect you in the event that you draw unwanted attention.

Avoid personal or identifying details.
Avoid any personal or identifying details when posting in your blog. Do not post in advance about locations that you will be or about areas that you live near.

No photos.
Refrain from posting a picture. Photos can invite trouble or unwanted attention.

Avoid inappropriate dialogue.
Be careful not to engage in dialogue that could be interpreted in a way that it was not intended. Sometimes humorous threads can get out of hand. If the dialogue degrades to an area that makes you uncomfortable, disengage from the dialogue and refrain from further posting. Also when making decisions about individuals online, consider their past posting behavior and attempt to consider their true intentions.

Lurkers.
Always remember that just because you do not have a dialogue with someone does not mean that they are not reading everything that you write. Many people merely lurk on line and don't engage in comment posting, but do read what is written. Your audience could be much larger than you realize.

Timeless.
Internet content is timeless, and keep in mind that even if you remove content, it might be archived or syndicated. If you do not want something read, do not post it to the Internet. High Schools, Colleges and Employers all search the Internet to discern an individuals history. Sordid details about a late night will not help land a coveted job.

The internet is a haven for all types of predators. Always remember that just because someone says something is true, does not mean that it is. Predators adopt personas of who they think you want them to be. Just as we provide guidelines to young children, adults should be wary and take precautions when posting online as well.

While blogging can be a great outlet and channel, and in someway immortalizing thoughts, it is important that safety is considered and that good blogging practices are followed at all times.

Improved Newsfeeds for Search Engines

sdwitr@gmail.com (Unknown) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 06:09:00 +0000

RSS feeds are a great communication medium, and when properly managed, web feeds can bring in significant Internet traffic. RSS feeds should contain compelling themed content with episodic titles that are united in common broad theme. Use RSS feeds as an online marketing and search engine optimization tool. Just as optimizing an HTML web page will increase exposure, so too will an RSS feed that is properly optimized and promoted. Use these simple tips to improve your web feed exposure.

Channel Title
The channel title in your RSS feed is one of the most important aspect. The channel title should be keyword rich and contain information related to the general theme of the RSS feed. In order to maximize compatibility with RSS readers, it is best not to include any HTML in the channel title. The channel title is a website visitors first glimpse at the RSS feed, so its important to make an impression and attract the interest of casual browsers. Additionally, many of the RSS feed directories and search engines use the information contained in the RSS feed's channel title and description to index the feed. In order for the feed to be properly categorized, it is important that the information contained in these fields be relevant to the contents contained in the feed. If included at all, the blog, brand, or company name should be at the end not the beginning of the RSS feed channel title.

Channel Description
The channel description field provides an opportunity to expand on the broad theme of the RSS feed. The channel description should contain related keywords and phrases, but it should be written to capture the interest of readers not search engine spiders. HTML can be used to decorate and emphasize specific text in the description field. In summation the channel description should provide a compelling overview of the RSS feed's contents.

RSS Feed Item Titles
The item titles should be 50-75 characters with spaces. In order to increase readability and compatibility with news readers, the RSS feed item titles should not be encoded with any HTML. Think of an RSS feed item title in the same way that you would a webpage title. The RSS feed item title is your opportunity to capture the interest of your reader. Really an RSS feed item title is nothing more than a headline. The most effective item titles are calls to action that grab the readers attention. Include pertinent keywords or keyword phrases in the items title and this will help any individuals doing deep feed searches for specific content.

Optimize RSS
Optimize all aspects of the web feed. While the feed should be optimized for search engines, using the same techniques a webmaster uses on a website, the optimization should not be at the readers expense. The content in an RSS feed is often what leads readers to click or not click through. Readers will judge RSS feeds on the quality of the content. This means that grammar and punctuation do matter. Consistent grammatical errors will reduce the writers credibility and the number of subscribers.

Anchor Text
Using RSS feeds, publishers have the unique opportunity to determine the anchor text that will be used to link to internal website pages. RSS feeds are often syndicated, and even more often compelling feed items will often be re posted by other publishers. With that in mind, when including links back to a website in the item description field, use anchor text that is a relevant keyword or phrase. Anchor text is one factor that search engines use in determining a website's ranking for specific keywords and phrases.

Number of Feed Items
Routinely prune the old items in an RSS feeds and archive the content contained in the feed to ensure that feeds load quickly in RSS readers. If you are using a third party service to host your feeds, keep in mind that FeedBurner will truncate or not display RSS feeds that it finds to be too large.

Heading Tags
If you are displaying an RSS feed as an HTML web page it makes sense to use H1 or H2 tags to display the RSS feed's item titles. If the RSS feed is optimized, the website will benefit from the keyword emphasis by using the header tags.

RSS Feed URLs
As with HTML web pages, the URLs contained in an RSS feed should contain keywords if possible. Use hyphens not underscores, to separate the keywords in the RSS feed's URL.

Add an Image
Consider adding an image to your RSS feed to enhance its appearance in an RSS reader. The image should be no large 144x400 and it is recommended that the image be 88x31. Most RSS readers will display the feed image above the feed contents, this is a great way to reinforce brand and establish brand recognition. Additionally you can add images to the RSS feed's description field. In all cases, it is important that the full URL to the image be referenced, because if the feed is syndicated it will report a broken image if its attempting to retrieve it locally.

Some of the RSS feed directories use the feed's website favorite icons to flag the RSS feed. The RSS feeds containing a favorite icon stand out from others in the directories so be sure to include a favicon in the domain's root directory. RSS feeds are a great marketing tool, but like web pages, they must be optimized so that you can reap the full marketing benefits. Taking the time to implement some basic optimization tips will steadily increase your RSS feeds exposure.