Using FeedBurner as a Tool
Ever notice all those blogs with the add feed buttons like the ones I have here to your left? There are all different aggregators which keep you up-to-date via RSS (real simple syndicate) with all your favorite blogs and feeds. I use Google Reader right now but only check it every so often. Most of the time I use the drop down history address bar to get back to my favorite blogs but find the aggregators simple to use. Most people use them especially to keep track of the multitude of blogs that are out there. As a reader it’s simple, click and done, but as a writer, all you have to track those clicks is your exit url stats from your stat counter, which often times can miss a click.
That’s where FeedBurner comes in. If you’re using WordPress, Blogger, TypePad or similar software you already have a rss feed url that comes with it. This is no doubt what you currently use for syndicating your feed. Those are great but they don’t track your statistics. What FeedBurner does is allow you to track how many people are currently reading and downloading your feed from their aggregator. You can track current results, feed evolution, what aggregators are most popular, and page views from each aggregator.
The other great thing about FeedBurner is that it allows you to tell your readers how popular you are. This is a great way to garner excitement and readership for your blog. If someone sees that 1000 people are currently reading your blog regularly that will more than likely make them want to add you to their aggregators just to keep up with the Jone’s. This is also a way to attract advertisers if you are into that. A prospective client that visits your site and sees that you have feed statistics similar to say TechCrunch.com, will want to jump on your site right away to get their products out to more viewers. FeedBurner also helps match up advertisers with similar content feeds to help monetize your blog and feed.
I was able to get setup using wordpress within a few minutes. All that was need was to follow the simple instructions linked to on the front page of FeedBurner.com which included a plugin download and I was set to go. If you’re interested in making money off a blog, or just want to allow people easier access to your feed while keeping track of them, FeedBurner is definitely the way to go.
Happy Burning,
Erik
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Comments
Pingback from Plugins I Use » Erik Vossman’s Goals Weblog
Time: June 21, 2006, 8:26 pm
[...] Feedburner Feed Replacement - Tough Plugin at times to get going but helps direct all of your feed traffic to your feedburner account. If you don’t have a feedburner account and want to learn more about it check out my using feedburner as a blog tool post. [...]
Pingback from I broke fifty! » Erik Vossman’s Goals Weblog
Time: September 24, 2006, 7:34 pm
[...] Yeah that would be a nice 18 round golf score, (one with a few holes in one I would think), but that’s not what I’m talking about. For the first time in this blogs short existence, it broke 51 readers via the rss feed. I use feedburner because I like the tracking of readers it does, and the tracking site is pretty sassy and easy on the eyes. [...]
Comment from FekketCantenel
Time: January 24, 2006, 6:33 am
I’ve had an account at FeedBurner for a while now, but never got around to putting the link on my page, since the Wordpress one works fine. I suppose I’d better go place it before people start subscribing to it. Thanks for the encouragement.