While many start blogs to make money of them, most understand that the way to reach that goal is to increase the RSS numbers. There are a number of ways that you can optimize the blog to gain extra RSS readers, though your absolute best bet is to create great content:

• use both RSS and Email Subscription links. Depending on the niche you’re in, you will see the readers use either one or the other more. I’ve seen niches with 3-5% email subscriptions and others with 90%. The more technical the niche, the better the chance that the reader knows what RSS is.
• put them above the fold in a place that can be seen easily. Don’t hide those subscription links. The reader shouldn’t have to go looking for them.
• put reminders in your posts. Probably better at the end of a post, telling the reader that if they enjoyed reading that article they can subscribe and get them regularly.
• create a page where you explain what RSS is and link to it from the front page.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 26th, 2007 at 6:29 pm in Blogging Tips.