I get a lot of questions about RSS ~ what it is, how to use it, how to submit your feeds to it… all great questions I’m going to cover today.
What is RSS?
RSS stands for Real Simple Syndication. It’s a way to notify people when you publish new content ~ whether it’s new posts on a blog or new lenses at Squidoo.
How do I find my feed url?
Each lensmaster is given an RSS lensmaster feed url ~ YOWZA that’s a mouthful. All that means is you have an address that is specific to you and it will show people the new lenses you publish. To use your lensmaster RSS feed you have to find it. 
You can easily find the feed url at squidutils. Just log in with your Squidoo username and the second link will be for your lensmaster feed url.
Here’s what your feed will look like:
http://www.squidoo.com/xml/syndicate_lensmaster/JackieLee
(except yours will have YOUR username instead of mine at the end after the last /)
What do with my feed once I find it?
Once you’ve found your feed you can submit the feed url to RSS directories. These directories are very similar to article directories except they feature RSS feeds. Once you’ve submitted your lensmaster feed each time you update a lens or create a new lens the feed will update at the directory and show the new content.
This also means that each time you update you will automatically get a link back to your lens from each RSS directory you have submitted your feed to. (Let’s talk about EASY! right?) It happens automatically because that’s what an RSS feed does ~ it updates and notifies people (or directories) of new content.
Where can I submit my RSS feed?
There are tons and tons of directories out there. You can google RSS directory and get a bunch of lists. Here are the ones I use regularly. (You may have to sign up for a free account for some of these sites, but it’s as easy as entering your email address and a password ~ then clicking the confirmation link in your email)
(don’t be fooled by this one and ones like it. Here’s where you need to enter your feed url:)
rssmountain.com (it’s not required that you add the button ~ don’t worry about it)
There are plenty more out there, but those are the ones I use personally. If you have more good ones feel free to let me know in the comments section and I’ll add them to the list.
How do I add my link?
Here’s a quick video that will show you how to find your lensmaster RSS feed and add it to the directories. It also shows you a quick tip to make the process much quicker the next time.
You only need to do this process once for each lensmaster RSS feed ~ but you can also submit your individual lens feed urls if you want. I personally don’t do this, but you can.
I hope this clears up some of the questions about RSS ~ if you still have questions feel free to ask in the comments and I’ll do my best to answer them.
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Thank you for the other link referral, about link-building plan. You started it out by telling of someone that was doing a 1 lens a week plan, and I thought that was a great idea. Motivational. I am doing 2 to 3 A DAY, and want at least 100 by the end of November. I would keep my fingers crossed, but then I wouldnt be able to type. Thanks again!
Dee´s last blog ..Toro Blower Vac 51599 updated Fri Oct 8 2010 2-49 am CDT
That’s a great plan, and remember that building the lens is only the first step. (probably the smallest part of the process). Building links is what makes them rank and get traffic, so make sure you’re doing that part of the process for each lens. (which is probably 80% of the process)
You are absolutely amazing. I purchased a ‘blueprint’ type product from someone that I thought was great, and then discovered your Christmas Cash Blueprint. Girl, you run rings around this other lady..lol. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have cleared up so many questions that I had, and are a constant source of information. Backlinking has been my number one problem. I have a ton of lenses build, and ideas for about 50 more, but without links, they wont get seen. I have managed to get one lens to position 12 without backlinking work, but I want that elusive top 10 position (No. 1 would be nice, but anyone in the first 10 will be good). I have just finished submitting RSS feed for my squidoo lenses, and am hoping for some increase in ranking. You are the best!!
I’m glad it’s helping! Backlinking is the toughest part! Here’s a post that might help if you haven’t seen it already: http://www.squidoochristmascash.com/step-by-step-link-building-plan/
[...] This only needs to be done once. But I put it in here so that if people haven’t done the work involved they will do it. It is one of the easiest and fastest ways to get some link action going! If you don’t know how to do this part check out this post: What is RSS and How to Use it. [...]
Hi Jackie,
Nice of you to mention this tip. In fact, I have learned this trick from your “Quick Easy Bookmarking” PDF.
Paul@Zojirushi BBCC X20´s last blog ..Zojirushi BBCC X20 – Baking Homemade Bread The Easy Way updated Sun May 9 2010 2:36 am CDT
Hi Jackie,
Thank you for your time and effort in creating this post plus the tutorial video.
Especially like the part on using your browser bookmark to store all RSS directory sites. It really saves a lot of time.
Paul@Zojirushi BBCC X20 ´s last blog ..Zojirushi BBCC X20 – Baking Homemade Bread The Easy Way updated Sun May 9 2010 2:36 am CDT
Hey Paul,
you’re welcome. If you use firefox it can be even cooler. At the bottom of your bookmarking folder in firefox is a little link that says “open all in new window” if you click that each of the things in the folder will open in its own tab ~ then you can just go from one to the next, close as you go. It goes super fast. FF was giving me all kinds of grief today while I was trying to make the video which is why it was in IE.
Thank you for this info. I knew about RSS for my websites, but didn’t know where to get the Squidoo RSS feed or this submit list. Appreciate the help.
Edie´s last blog ..The Savvy Seniors Bucket List
Jackie:
I completely forgot about my lensmaster RSS feed. Such a basic thing yet I was overlooking it!
Thank you for the reminder and the great blog.
Sure! Anything that has an RSS feed can be submitted ~ it will build links for any site you’ve got.
Jackie – Do we want to submit our rss feed to these directories from our Christmas Cash blog as well?
Jane ~ MoneyMom
Jane´s last blog ..Razor Ground Force Go Kart updated Sun Jun 20 2010 1:11 am CDT
Wow – Jackie. Great stuff!! I just took 10 mins and submitted my lensmaster rss feed to all of the above. Thanks!!
Jane ~ Moneymom
Jane´s last blog ..Razor Ground Force Go Kart updated Sun Jun 20 2010 1:11 am CDT