Ready Set Streamline...

Alright so maybe there is a reason I never went into marketing, but the term used “Really Simple Syndication” seems to be a misnomer for a lot of people. Personally I think the name is partly to blame for lack of the applications usability “really simple” two words that imply “If you don’t get this you are kind of a dummy” followed by a word a lot of people will be punching into Google “syndication” just to find the definition of, only to read the definition and go “well I give up”.

Many people have overcome this RSS fear by accidently following instructions on a site not really knowing what they are signing up for and then finding it useful. My father is a prime example. He has RSS subscriptions for all his stocks… but if you asked him if he uses "Really Simple Syndication" or even "RSS feeds" he would look at you and ask “Do I look like I understand that techno babble?” which is hard to believe since he seems to have figured out how to set them up on his smart phone, but parents are amazing like that. RSS feeds are like signing up for a custom newspaper that gets e-mailed to you by headline or can appear as part of an application or on a web page or blog, and are especially useful for mobile technology such as phones, IPads, IPods, net books, and devices where the idea of loading a whole web page to get your information can be a time consuming and sometimes frustrating experience.

RSS feeds are one of the most the customizable, useable and possibly addicting social media aspects on the web, because anyone can use them for information on just about anything.  Your mother can get the latest recipe from Martha Stewart on her laptop, your dad can get his stock market updates on his smart phone and you brother can get the release dates on the latest comic books at the local comic shop on his IPod. Can you believe that I’ve never used them?

Yep it’s true turns out when you spend eight hours a day on the internet for work, you actually bank enough time to look things up manually ( I like to be pleasantly surprised by updates on the sites I use I'm weird like that) and I’m not one for mobile devices so this class was actually my very first RSS feed subscription. It is for the Boston Public Library and you can view it on my blog side bar. Yes it really is simple and I am no longer amazed my father was able to figure it out on his own (although I must admit he’s had me pretty impressed for the longest time) While you're checking out the RSS feed of Boston Public on the side bar why not subscribe to my feed as well. Yep even this humble little blog can have an RSS feed update you on my new posts with the click of a little orange button.

RSS feeds are by no means outdated, though applications like twitter seem more approachable and have a greater marketability, or at least it has been more effectively marketed to date. Nothing quite brings the World Wide Web to you in the package you want like RSS feeds. Libraries can use them for many things but the basic summary of their function would be to notify users of something they need to be aware of. Latest updates made to the library blog or events calendar, new editions added to the library, or the latest book reviews are some examples.

When it comes to getting an audience for your library RSS feed, you'll find people who use RSS feeds are no problem. You put up an RSS feed they will hunt for it with the overzealousness of a Facebook user stalking their most recent Ex’s latest party photos. People who use RSS feeds will be hooked by the little orange icon they have come to know and love. People who are intimidated by the RSS feed will ignore that icon with disdain or obliviousness as if it were a spam advertisement for the newest “Shamwow” product that popped up on their screen. Libraries have to take the approach that RSS feeds are kind of like feeding children onions, yah they are seasoning half the stuff they eat from burgers or pizza but if you tell a kid they are eating onions the response is usually “Yuck!” followed by the complete refusal of the kid to eat the meal they were just seconds ago chowing down on with the enthusiasm of a lion on a zabra.

Using words like “Stay up to date on the latest…. By clicking here!” are good terms that are approachable to users of all technical levels. Linking people to information on RSS feeds is a good idea too but it’s the second step, you have to get them using it before they will want to learn more. Show them it’s useful then they will want to learn. When they want to learn the second step is having the links and information for them available. The order in which you chose to execute these steps could make a big difference in the number of people who use your RSS feed.  The tactics you use to introduce users to your RSS are up to your imagination, and can extend to information sessions in a real world library information sessions. It all comes down to the magic of marketing and networking. Remember the prime goal is to get your RSS Read by Someone Sometimes.