I have described how I read blog posts. I am using RSS feeds, and I’m combining Google Reader and a software called Reeder. But, what I didn’t realize at the time I wrote the article was that It’s actually possible to customize the content inside my feed, a lot better than what Feedburner lets me do.
What I’ve been doing for the past weeks is that I have tested Bring My Blog Visitors Back, a wordpress plugin from MaxBlogPress. And it does exactly what the name tells us, it helps bring RSS subscribers back to our blogs.
I’ll show you a few of the features:
Show related posts
You can add as many related posts to the article as you want, and you can customize the text (it doesn’t have to say related posts). I’m currently using 5 related posts, and even though I haven’t got a specific number for you,when it comes to how many people go from reading just the article in the feed, to clicking on a related post, I know that a lot of people are clicking on the related posts after they’ve read the article in their feed reader. This is an awesome feature that helps get more people back to the blog.
Add social media icons
You can add many social media icons to the feed, this way the people who’re reading the articles in a feed reader, can share the article directly via social media.
Display comments and customize the header and the footer
You can add the number of comments to your feed and the actual comments too. This way it’s easier for your readers to reply to some of the comments (it brings them back to your blog).
You can also customize the header and the footer. You can text, images, or any type of code, and for instance, you can add your affiliate banners to the header or the footer if you want extra clicks on the banners.
Works with all feed readers
I have asked the people at MaxBlogPress if Bring My Blog Visitors Back works with every single feed reader and if it works with FeedBurner and FeedBlitz, and the answer was that it works with everything.
At the moment, I’m thinking about switching from Feedburner to FeedBlitz. And I’m so glad that Bring My Blog Visitors Back works with FeedBlitz too, because at the moment, Bring My Blog Visitors Back is one of my favorite plugins.
Twitter: bdorman264
I have a confession; I never have time to check out related posts………..sorry Jack/Josh……but I know some do so this is probably a good thing.
Keep me clued in how it works out for you and maybe you’ll win a free pizza.
(dofollow)
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Twitter: berget
Hey Bill,
I do, but it all depends on the headlines. If it’s related to the post, and I really enjoyed reading the post and the headline is interesting. Then, I’ll read it
I’ll keep you updated.
Twitter: Fatima_hipolito
I agree for what you said Sir jens, its really depend on the headlines because there some of headlines that really change the story..
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Twitter: adriennesmith40
I read something not long ago about disabling the RSS feeds Jens because you want your readers to actually visit your blog and comment, not just read your feeds. Of course I haven’t taken any action on this either but may do a little more research and write about this myself.
I personally love RSS feeds because it’s the best place for me to keep all the blogs that I enjoy visiting on a regular basis all in one very convenient place. But, I always come to the blog to read the post.
This plug-in sounds pretty cool so may have to check it out further. Thanks for sharing this and glad you’re very happy with it.
~Adrienne
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Twitter: berget
I haven’t thought about disabling the RSS feeds, but I have seen the stats that many people are just reading the feeds and not visiting my blog. But after I installed this plugin, I’m thinking that I’ll be getting more visitors at least when I add a “call to action” in the feeds. I’m thinking about adding a banner at the top of the feed.
Twitter: thejackb
It sounds interesting. I have to check out Feedblitz too because Feedburner just isn’t getting it done any more.
Twitter: berget
I’m testing FeedBurner for my Norwegian blog, and it works great. A lot more features than Feedburner. But I haven’t switched on this blog yet.
Twitter: Soulati
Jens, do you have a post I can read about creating RSS feeds? I’d like to add a feed to my client’s website and I have no clue, really. Thanks!
P.S. something funky with your comment system; margins getting cut off and had to refresh and start over to get spam box to appear. When I type far right the left margin cuts off at the “e” in Speak.
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Twitter: berget
Hi Jayme,
What type of website does your client have, is it a wordpress blog? If it’s a blog it’s usually very easy. And you should use either Feedburner og FeedBlitz. Let me know what type of website you’re talking about, and I’ll do my best to help you.
Thanks a lot for letting me know about the commenting issue. I believe that I’ve just solved it
The ideas you’ve shared here are fantastic and no doubt so great and it may really improve the variety of individuals visiting your website.
Twitter: berget
Thanks a lot for your feedback
Twitter: wonderoftech
Hi Jens, great explanation. I bought and downloaded Bring My Visitors Back but haven’t set it up yet. You have given me great incentive to do it now!
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Twitter: berget
I have only set up parts of it as well. I’m thinking of adding a banner at the top of my feed, and testing the CTR. It’s a new way to do marketing for me. I’ve never thought about using the feed to anything other than presenting my blog posts
Great post,
Found it at right time as I am not able to put my thoughts into words but this tips will now help me to put it in words thanks
Twitter: berget
That’s awesome Brian. Thanks a lot for the feedback
Twitter: matthewraj2
Wow! Who could have thought it could be so easy to increase the number of views that blog posts get? Thank you for sharing these useful tips that are so simple to follow!
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Twitter: berget
Hey Matthew,
I’m not sure if it’s that easy, but it sure helps to be able to configure what people see in our RSS feeds
Twitter: dukeo
Hey Jens-Petter!
Actually there are a lot of “related posts” plugins that allow you to show related posts in your RSS feed. However, the social icons aspect of your solution is pretty neat. I might give it a try.
Dukeo invites you to read.. Answer to All the Emails from Readers
Twitter: berget
I’ve seen some related posts plugins as well, but this one makes it so much easier to add several other features as well to the feed. It works great and I highly recommend it.
Fantastic tips.its very interesting to read your post..clearly you have stated the points…i will give a try.thanks for sharing..
Hi Jens,
(dofollow)
I also use Google Reader in reading the blog feeds I have subscribed to and I’ve always wondered that if I am doing this, then what about those that have also subscribed to the RSS feeds of my blog, do they no longer visit my blog? I guess this app you’re mentioning here would be the best solution into bringing back to you blog those who have subscribed to your RSS feeds.
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Twitter: berget
That’s exactly why I am using it. I haven’t looked at the stats lately, but now that I have added related posts to the RSS and comments etc.. I believe that it’s a much bigger chance to get people to actually go to my blog