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Ever since Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, marketers typically haven't been slow in using new technologies to keep customers informed. So it's not surprising that RSS is becoming a marketer's best friend. Here are the basics, and several concepts on how you can use RSS to make money selling this technology with your USB Flash Drive sales.

Are you familiar with the terminology of RSS?

RSS stands for "Really Simple Syndication". Today, RSS "IS" a part of your marketing world. RSS is part of the information stream that delivers text, traffic data, audio and video content to many websites and web logs "Blogs".

These RSS "FEEDS" are structurally formatted dynamic updates that allow the software to present easy to read headlines with summaries, dates and other structured data. RSS is most closely associated with news Web sites and blogs because the content changes frequently. RSS can be used effectively for distributing any information that changes over time. Like most Widgets and Gadgets, RSS is part of the "basics" of Flash By Design's USB Widgets.

Most internet users who read RSS feeds need to use an RSS reader to process these "feeds". Apple and Microsoft have both incorporated RSS readers into their latest operating systems and there are many free tools available, including Google Reader. Widgets and Gadgets process these feeds too. USB Widgets do this without an internet browser or special reader. USB Widgets include all tools that are needed to process the RSS feeds and offers branding you and your clients.

The key advantage of web based RSS is that users can go to one place to see what's changed across all the sites they like to watch. They can read full articles in their news reader, or just preview the text and visit the publisher's site for the full story, depending on how much information is in the feed. It's like having a customized newspaper that refreshes itself automatically, bringing your personal breaking news to the front page. Regardless of your clients industry, a custom feed can be created specifically to their corporate agenda. We call it the "Widget Factor".

RSS is part of the process that enables USB Widgets to delivery FRESH CONTENT on portable USB Flash Drives.

Because RSS feeds are structured files, they can also be incorporated into Web sites as syndicated content or integrated with web services and widgets (and gadgets). New applications are emerging. Although RSS is often thought of as something for news sites, there are numerous examples of commercial enterprise using RSS to build traffic to website.

For example, eBay enables its customers to subscribe to search results they're interested in, so that they can receive a customized update of new listings and closing auctions. Increasingly, the investor relations and press releases section of business-to-business Web sites are also RSS enabled. By using RSS, now you too can offer your clients a way they can distribute their specific content and not just on the web. Selling them a USB Flash Drive enabled with a USB Widget, you can add value to a blank flash drive AND fulfill the marketing needs of client using an RSS feed on a USB Widget.

Here is what makes this such a valuable add-on for you to offer to your clients. Many users will prefer RSS to e-mail because it puts them in control. They can start and stop feeds whenever they want. They don't need to disclose their e-mail address or any personal information. And, most importantly, they choose when to log in and read the news rather than having e-mails piling in while they're trying to work. That will make them more receptive to the messages when they receive them. It will also result in a more even flow of clickthroughs to the feed publisher's site, compared to e-mails, which are often received by a large list within a short time window. Along with the feed links, your client can offer links to consumer websites, private areas for specific users and special forms. Using a USB Widget to deliver their custom RSS feeds will give them an unfair advantage.

Using a custom RSS feed (or USB Widget), your clients could reactivate customers who have tired of e-mail and are losing trust in it as a news medium. There are no deliverability or spam problems with RSS and USB Widgets. Understanding the value proposition is the key. Marketers should seize the initiative and help introduce customers to RSS and USB Widgets™, so that they can ensure there is a clean channel for communication. Using a portable delivery device (USB Flash Drives) with RSS feeds, deliver added value to the end user and your client.

For one example, press releases and investor relations news, there is a strong case for introducing RSS immediately. Although perhaps only 5-10% of your audience is using RSS, those people are likely to be key influencers and ambassadors. Handing out a USB Widget with a "Press Feed" to key Investors and journalists creates a winning combination that will have your clients exclaiming WOW.

We're already seeing many companies using RSS for reaching their existing and new audiences. Any business that has a strong following among bloggers should also be taking RSS seriously. Bloggers are news-hungry and tend to be better informed about RSS feeds, because their own sites incorporate them. Regardless of the "technology sophistication" of your client's audience, they can all use a USB Flash Drive with a USB Widget that has your client's RSS feed displayed on their customer's computer desktop.

So now when you hear RSS, you know it is nothing more than Really Simple Syndication. And now you can introduce your clients to a Really Simple Solution to make your next sale of USB Flash Drives a Really Successful Solution.

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