What is an RSS feed?

Really Simple Syndication (RSS) is an XML-based format for content distribution. See Wikipedia’s description at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RSS_%28file_format%29 .

News, information, enterprise applications and weblogs (blogs) can all be published in RSS. When a new article is posted or a change is made to an application, RSS feeds can automatically notify the user. Text, images, audio (including podcasts) and video can be incorporated into RSS feeds. In simple, a code is inserted into your web site and the selected categories of news are “pulled” to your site automatically.

How do RSS feeds impact my business?

For Individual Users, RSS feeds can help keep you up-to-date on news, information and blog posts, making you more knowledgeable and productive, both at work and at home. According to Technorati, as of March 2006, there are more than 30 million RSS feeds available. Most mainstream news and information sites publish RSS feeds.

For your web site, depending on your product or service, there are a number of different use cases for RSS since both internal (enterprise applications, blogs, reports) and external (industry news, competitive information, blogs) content can be delivered as feeds. In particular, many businesses see benefits by not having to periodically check Web sites for key updates or wade through traffic on e-mail distribution lists. In addition to increasing knowledge and productivity, RSS feeds can also be used for brand monitoring, crisis communications, internal/executive communications and competitive intelligence.

For Publishers, Media Companies and Other Content/Information Providers, RSS feeds offer readers, visitors and customers a convenient way to read and access their information. RSS feeds can also be incorporated into web sites to offer a more personalized and rich user experience, strengthen the brand and maximize revenue opportunities.

Search engines that place importance of page rank on the amount of relevant content that you display on a given site, also “see” the constantly changing news headlines and articles as a plus. Adding an RSS news feed to your site can be one of the most cost-effective things you can do to help you in the quest for higher rankings.

If you would like to find out more about RSS feeds and how they can be implemented on your site contact us today.

Justin Kaiser
Creative Identity Group

We work with a lot of clients who demand results.  And we deliver… most of the time.  Fact is, if we don’t know what ails you, we cannot diagnose your most troubling marketing issues either online or in your community.  That’s why it is so important to share as much information with us as possible.

We ask a lot of questions.  A lot of deep questions that are important to your future.  If you can’t share specific information with us then that is only detrimental to you and your business.  We are here to make you a rising star in your industry and to truly turn on the afterburners of your marketing campaign. 

Your information is confidential.  We can only assume that you are being completely honest and truthful with us and we will do the same to you. 

Let me personally invite you to sound-off!  I would love nothing more than give you some free advice.  Send us an e-mail and we’ll do our best to try to answer your questions on marketing your business either on-line or on-air.

You ask… I answer… It’s really just that easy!

Best of all… No Fees!  Because we want you as a client and we want your business to grow.

Justin Kaiser
Creative Identity Group

I was able to get together with our good friend Tony Garcia at The Conclave in Minneapolis at the end of the June.  Tony works with Bob and Sheri the great morning show that dominates with women.  In addition, Bill and Fran Lytle were on hand as well. 

Recently Tony shared some great information about women that Fran had written…

“If you’ve been following these columns, you know that as Radio professionals, we always look for a “Silver Bullet” answer that will fix everything. In this month’s article Fran Lytle explains why it’s not quite as simple as that.
Fran Lytle is a Consumer Behaviorist, Strategist, Author, Speaker and Radio Show Host. Her area of expertise is sharing behavioral differences between men and women, and providing methods to connect with women through programming, communications and events.”

Fran writes…

My partner, Bill, and I enjoyed presenting an interactive session last month at Conclave 2007. Our topic was connecting with women through promotions. Throughout our session and networking conversations, people kept asking us the same question . . .”What works with women?”

First of all, there’s no “silver bullet,” as one guy requested. Women aren’t werewolves, we’re just different from men. And, we respond differently than men to communications, promotions and events. So, here are a few behavioral insights to consider when developing promotions targeting women.

Bill and I developed and implemented a quantitative study for Meredith Corporation last year . . . you know them, Better Homes & Gardens, Family Circle, More magazine, basically most magazines that target female readers. They commissioned us to conduct research that would provide insights into women’s “need states.” They were seeking the answer to this global question, “What are women looking for in their life?”

Women mentioned that they want . . . and need . . . three things in their lives.

Re-connect . . . with herself, friends, significant others and family. Because she’s time-starved, she feels that she loses touch with her true self and other important people in her life. Since establishing and nurturing relationships is her highest Personal Value, a lack of connection negatively impacts her life.

Re-invent . . . herself. She’s looking to grow, enhance, change. This aspect has been successfully addressed by the travel industry. In the past 5 years, we’ve seen the growth of female travel clubs and the increased participation in travel that provides her with an opportunity to re-invent like discovering how to make wine; creating a gourmet meal; or learning a foreign language. She’s also re-inventing herself through faith-based tours, soft adventure and book tours.

Rejuvenate . . . she’s tired! She needs venues that allow her to relax. This is why spas have become so popular. There’s an interesting new concept you should know about . . . it’s called “Massage Envy.” You join like you would join a gym. Your membership enables you to get frequent massages at a discounted rate. Keep an eye on this brand, you’ll start to see them popping up all over the country, because women are looking to rejuvenate. And, let’s face it ladies . . . wouldn’t you rather have a spa membership than a gym membership? OK . . . I’ll speak for myself.

So, if you want to attract a woman’s attention and connect with her, your station’s promotions should offer her an opportunity to experience one or more of these “need states.”

• Re-connect
• Re-invent
• Rejuvenate

If your promotional idea doesn’t address these experiences, I’d recommend that you drop it and move on. Here are some ideas that should jump- start your promotion ideation meetings . . .

Re-connect:

• Wine tours
• Cultural tours
• Book clubs
• Foreign language classes
• Life coaching sessions

Re-juvenate:

• Resorts
• Destination spas
• Day spas
• Restorative yoga
• Reiki sessions
• Meditation sessions

All of these idea starters also provide you with some interesting brand promotional tie-in opportunities.In future issues, I’ll share some additional behavioral insights that will assist you in developing promotions that connect with women, including . . .

• Images that resonate with women
• Key words that connect with women
• Words you should definitely avoid!
• Colors women are drawn to
• What does she want to “win?”
• Events that she wants to attend

Iwon’t be providing you with any “silver bullets,” (male speak). But, if you’re really into metaphors, consider this . . . I’ll be sharing some “pearls of wisdom,” (female speak).

Fran and Bill’s Website

Fran and Bill’s Conclave Presentation

Thanks Fran and Tony!  Great information and it was great seeing you at The Conclave!  Bob & Sheri have been an industry leader in targeting Women because Bob Lacey and Sheri Lynch clearly understand the differences we talk about each month in this newsletter. They turn that knowledge into compelling radio that gets ratings.  Click on the link below to dowload information on how Bob & Sheri connect with women and their proven record of success.

Bob and Sheri info on Ways to Win with Women

I made a recent trip to Guitar Center to pick up a replacement MBox 2 and thought I’d share some info with you. Guitar Center and Musicians Friend are one and the same. Guitar Center will match Musicians Friend prices… but, if you weren’t aware, they might be able to do a bit better.

I’m a BIG fan of B.L.U.E and love my Bluebird. It’s performance is awesome and it is highly versatile. I currently run run it through a Focusrite Voicemaster Platinum Pro. This combination has been able to give me a very clean sound.

I have, however, heard many great things about the M-Audio Sputnik. I thought my next mic purchase was going to be the Sennheiser MKH-416 but now I’m not sure.

Do you have any ideas or suggestions. I really need to test these with an A/B comparison in studio back to back.