RSS or eMail ... Which will it be?

[deb03]

For the past 2 years we have been researching the options of eMail versus RSS as a delivery option for newsletter publishers.

My question is directed to publishers of regularly emailed newsletters.

If you could continue your regular email newsletter delivery process and, at the same time, investigate RSS as an option would you do it?

For those who are already providing this option it would be interesting to hear your pros and cons.

[John Glube]

Deb,

If you could continue your regular email newsletter delivery process and, at the same time, investigate RSS as an option would you do it?

The short answer to the question is that online publishers should be offering both options.

At present the only Email Service Provider within the SOHO market to my knowledge which offers both options is AWeber, although it is relatively easy to add an RSS feed.

There have been a number of attempts to move people towards services which offers the benefits of both email and RSS.

This requires the subscriber to download a piece of software to their computer.

The software creates an icon which sits on the subscriber's tool bar.

A small pop up appears when a message has been sent.

This has not caught on, because it is only a vehicle for one way communication.

One firm, Quikonnex has put together a product offering which is focused on the needs of the online publisher.

RSS feeds do have value, however I don't feel that this medium of communication will 'replace' email.

In my view, RSS and email will ultimately merge. This will occur when email client software offers the user the ability to add RSS feeds without having to use another piece of software.

In the interim, online publishers will need to become accredited, publish a blog and use RSS.

Trusting this helps,

John

P.S. In May, I published an article titled Who Pays And How To Survive The Email Transition, which set out in detail my thoughts on where email is headed. Although the details have changed somewhat, the thrust remains valid.

John Glube
Toronto, Canada

[deb03]

John,

I agree with your comment that online publishers should be offering both options (email and RSS).

I have managed a website (www.FreeTechMail.org) since the summer of 2000. The site is an IT newsletter subscription service where top newsletters in the IT industry are listed. Visitors to the site can sign up to any of the newsletters listed by filling out one subscription form. Subscriber information is immediately sent to the publisher of the newsletter selected. The site has been very popular.

However, over the past few years it has been increasingly evident that another delivery mechanism would be beneficial for one way communication like newsletters. Several of the publishers listed on the site have already introduced the option of RSS to their subscribers.

I reviewed the Ouikonnex web site you mentioned. It has many similarities to a solution we have developed and are suggesting to our participating publishers, http://www.NewslettersByRSS.com. Any comments you might have on this site would be appreciated.

I am looking forward to reading through your article tonight. Thanks for sending it.

[John Glube]

Deb,

I apologize for taking so long to respond to your post.

The option of a tool bar for an RSS feed is an interesting idea.

(I have seen a similar concept promoted elsewhere.)

A couple of comments:

* I appreciate your giving away access to the toolbar and RSS feed to gain market access. Smart.

* One of the big things these days is changing site content as it helps to generate site traffic.

Sorting out a way to allow end users (marketers) to access the various feeds to create changing content for their sites, while inserting key word advertisements might be one way of turning a dime.

* I took a look at your IT site (would like to sign up as a publisher:-)) - excellent approach.

(Creating a portal for publishers - using advertising to support the model - good.)

* One of the draw backs of the Quikonnex site is the "heavy branding." Non obtrusive branding in my view is more effective.

* I might try a link to a side bar on the web page as an alternative to the tool bar, as Quikonnex did.

Less in your face, but also less obtrusive for the end user.

(MS has now inserted all kinds of warnings concerning down loads in its software which may hold people back.)

* Adding a two way communication channel, along with other features to the tool bar to add value might help better promote the product.

Just some random thoughts. Trusting they help.

Kind regards,

John

P.S. One thing about lead generation for publishers.

With the pending rules on the primary purpose of an email message, along with California's new law concerning unsolicited commercial email, publishers will need to be able to prove prior informed consent of the subscription terms and have verifiable proof.

The RSS toolbar is beneficial to publishers. However, why should the end user down load it?

Which is why I am suggesting more thought needs to be given to developing a benefit for the end user. I don't have any brilliant ideas, my gut just tells me this is where the focus is required. Turning instant messaging into a replacement for e-mail?

This was discussed at the Email Authentication Summit as an alternative approach.

John Glube
Toronto, Canada