• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

  • Home
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Insiders Club
You are here: Home / Blogging / Reward Your RSS Subscribers with a Gift

Reward Your RSS Subscribers with a Gift

By Michelle Shaeffer | 7 Comments

What do readers get when they subscribe to your RSS feed?  A bouquet of beautiful flowers?  Okay, that can’t be easily delivered digitally, but you can give them a gift.

A freebie offer can encourage readers to subscribe by RSS, or you can use it as a nice unannounced gift for your readers.

Here’s how to make it happen in a few easy steps.

Last week I put together a new ebook & mp3 to offer to visitors who subscribe to the RSS feed at DailyBloggingIdeas.com  I use the free FeedBurner service to deliver my RSS feed to readers and by email, and here’s how I set it up so my readers get their freebie delivered:

1. Setup Your RSS Feed

Setup your RSS feed opt in with FeedBurner (or the service of your choice).  I also use the plugin FD FeedBurner Redirect on my blog.

2. Make it Easy to Subscribe

Put the RSS subscribe box on your website.  Here’s a video of how to do that, step by step: add a subscribe by email widget to your WordPress blog.

3. Setup Your Free Gift Download

Upload your free gift and add it to a hidden page on your site (the way to do this depends on your particular website’s setup – might be with PageMash plugin, or just by not adding this page to your menus).

Here’s what part of my download page looks like:

4. Install the RSS Feed Layout Plugin

On WordPress, install and activate the RSS Feed Layout plugin.  If you’re on another platform, find out how to add a footer to your RSS feed.

5.  Customize Your RSS Footer

Add your gift information to the footer of your feed.  Don’t add it to the header space or the link will show up anywhere an excerpt of your blog post shows up (oops! I did that…).

Here’s what mine looks like if you want a model:

That’s it!

Now when someone new subscribes to your feed by email, the first email they receive will include your customized footer with their download link.  For those who subscribe to your feed in their readers, they’ll see the link when they read to the bottom of your post.

Photo credit: julierocks from morguefile.com

Spread the Love
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cher Shives says

    August 24, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    This is the best idea ever!!I have to apply it too…

    Reply
    • Michelle Shaeffer says

      August 26, 2011 at 11:02 am

      Hi Cher, it’s a nice way to share something extra with our RSS subscribers. :) Glad it was helpful for you.

      Reply
  2. Michael says

    September 1, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    Hi…I really need this Michelle and I thank you for sharing it in this post…

    Reply
  3. Sharon Fiberesima says

    February 12, 2012 at 4:08 pm

    Hi Michelle, I am a regular subscriber to your feed but I don’t think I’ve ever commented before. This post is just incredible! Easy to follow and I was desperate for this advice. Thank you! Thank you!!

    Reply
  4. Ben Racicot says

    February 15, 2012 at 10:19 am

    But then they have to wait until you create a post to send out? Don’t subscribers want their free gift right after verification?

    I’m trying to figure out how to add a link to the actual feedburner “thanks for verifying page.” That would work but how?

    Reply
    • Michelle Shaeffer says

      February 17, 2012 at 10:16 am

      Not a big problem if you’re blogging daily since the next rss email is only ever a few hours away. :)

      I don’t know of a way to modify that Feedburner page. If you use the paid AWeber service to send out your RSS feed you can get more control over it.

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Making Money by Blogging Tips says:
    September 5, 2011 at 10:05 am

    […] 8. Incentives for Your Opt-In – I think this tip is pretty much standard procedure these days. Those that sign up for my emails get my Guide to Starting an Online Service Business. Another Cool Opt-In Tip – You can also give your RSS subscribers presents. […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

New Articles & Tutorials

  • 7 Tips to Help Optimize Your Online Store to Increase Sales
  • Stop Competing. Start Collaborating. (It’s the secret to escape the zombie-preneur apocalypse!)
  • How Your Current Field Can Help You Enter the Digital Marketing World
  • 5 Simple Ways to Be More Effective as a Solopreneur
  • How to Use Content Intelligence Like the “Big Guys”

Get Daily Business Tips & Inspiration

Get Daily Business Tips & Inspiration

There’s One Thing I Know…

Hi, I'm Michelle. And here's what I know: you're here with a purpose and I can help you achieve it. I write this blog to make sure you've got the tools, tactics, and inspiration you need to make a go of building your passion and purpose into your own successful, profitable business. So, welcome! Stay a while.

Disclosure: Some blog posts, articles or other content on this website contain affiliate links for products or services I recommend.
This means I may receive a commission or other compensation if you choose to purchase something I've shared with you.

Terms of Use | Privacy | Affiliate Agreement | Anti-Spam | External Links | DCMA Policy | Earnings Disclaimer
© 2000-2024.