RSS Feeds for the Internet Newbie
Creating an RSS Email Subscription Option Using Feedburner
Mar 24, 2009
For the less than technical blog readers, an RSS feed can be a bit confusing. Imagine for a moment a person's mother, grandmother or internet newbie trying to understand the concept of an RSS feed. While RSS feed is a common term bandied about the internet, a newbie doesn't understand what it is, what it does or how to access one after he has subscribed to it
For that exact reason, it's best to meet each potential blog subscriber on his level of comfort. Doing so can significantly increase a blog's readership. While a newbie may not understand the ins and outs of an RSS feed, just about everyone understands how to receive an email. Therefore, it is wise to give blog readers the option to receive updates by email.
Creating an Email Blog Feed Using Feedburner
To create the email RSS blog feed option, log into the Feedburner account. If there is more than one account under the Feedburner profile, select the blog for which the email feed is being created.
Click on the "Publicize" tab and access "Email Subscriptions"
Select the language for the blog and determine which type of email subscription to display.
There are two choices:
- A blog owner can insert a blog link where upon clicking the email subscription link a separate window will open in which the subscriber has to insert an email address and verify the captcha text to confirm that the subscriber is indeed a real live person.
- Or, a blog owner can insert a small form on the blog whereby the subscriber has to insert an email address in the textbox and click "Subscribe." Upon clicking subscribe, a window opens displaying the reader's email address and captcha letters for the reader to verify.
Which RSS email subscription method to use is a matter of personal preference for the blogger. Keep in mind, however, if the reason for the email subscription option is to capture the non technical type of reader, it is this author's opinion that inserting an email address and clicking subscribe is very self explanatory.
Customizing the Default Email Feedburner Text
The default text for the email link option is "Subscribe to [blog name] by Email," and for the form option is "Enter your email address." It's up to the blogger to use more user friendly text such as "Receive [blog name] updates by email." Customizing the default wording lets the new reader know exactly what he will receive after he clicks the "Subscribe" button.
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