How To Get Blog Updates Delivered To You

A colleague asked me why she should subscribe to blogs when she can visit the sites for free. Subscribe meant $$ to her. Let's talk about subscriptions

I started reading blogs in October 2006. Each morning, I'd bounce between the six (yes, six) blogs I was reading to check for updates. A little tedious but not so bad if you only are reading six blogs - but who reads only six blogs? Well, in January 2007, I discovered Google Reader, set-up a free account, and the way the I read on line changed. I now have over 120 blogs in the reader. 

What is a reader? A reader automatically collects and organizes new posts from your favorite bloggers in one easy place. Yes, one easy place. No more moving site to site and worrying you'll miss something.

Readers read feeds and blogs have feeds. Locate the orange symbol you see to the left on your favorite blogs and click on it to add the blog's feed to your reader. Some blogs also offer updates via email and it may be incorporated with this icon or listed separately.  

THIS IS FREE. There is no cost to subscribe to your favorite blogs. Pick a reader, set up a free account and begin subscribing today. 

Looking for blogs to subscribe to? Check out Fistful of Talent/HR Capitalist 7.0 Talent Management Power Blog Rankings, Evan Carmicheal's Top 50 Blogs to Watch in 2010, Carnival of HR and Leadership Development Carnival. 

Please subscribe to my new feed to continue receiving new posts after May 31. It's freaking me out that less than half of my subscribers are using the new feed as of today . . . but that could be a post of its own.

Now for the question of the day - what were the six blogs I was reading in October 2006?

Feedback Results: Is this your first time here or are you a regular reader?

I asked this question in my trial run of a feedback widget in my sidebar. 

Guess what? I received 21 responses to the question. Because that's more than the number of comments I've received on any given blog post or combination of posts, I'm a bit psyched!

Welcome first time readers, much appreciation to regular readers, and thank you to everyone who visits, reads, and subscribes to the blog; it really would not be any fun to do this alone. I couldn't - or wouldn't - be able to do this without you. You are awesome!

Now, back to business. The feedback I received was completely anonymous and the responses I received are copied below. With a simple click of an "export" button, the results are entered into an Excel spreadsheet. Even someone #notsotechy can handle that!

Feedback received:
Thu, 18 Feb 2010	First time, but I've bookmarked the site!
Wed, 17 Feb 2010	I am a returning reader
Wed, 17 Feb 2010	A regular reader of every one of your posts!
Wed, 17 Feb 2010	Not a first-timer...more of an "irregular" :-)
Wed, 17 Feb 2010	Regular Reader through bloglines, so I don't always visit the site directly.
Mon, 15 Feb 2010	I get your feed into my Outlook and am a regular reader for about 8 months.
Mon, 15 Feb 2010	I'm a regular reader. Keep up the great work. Love your writing style!
Mon, 15 Feb 2010	Regular subscriber; I read often but rarely visit.
Mon, 15 Feb 2010	Regualr Reader
Mon, 15 Feb 2010	regular reader!
Mon, 15 Feb 2010	A Regular Reader
Mon, 15 Feb 2010	First time here. Saw you on Twitter. Looks like an excellent blog on HCM. Hope to check it out regularly!
Sun, 14 Feb 2010	this is my first time here.  nicely done.  good looking blog.
Sat, 13 Feb 2010	First time reader, but your blog looks great! Lots of interesting content. Keep up the great work.
Sat, 13 Feb 2010	a regular reader, but just recently in the last 2-3 months
Sat, 13 Feb 2010	Regular and love it. :-)
Sat, 13 Feb 2010	I'm regular reader. The snoopy pic is cute! Hope you're doing well!
Sat, 13 Feb 2010	A regular reader!
Sat, 13 Feb 2010	regular
Sat, 13 Feb 2010	I am a regular reader!
Fri, 12 Feb 2010	Regular reader
Generated By: Lisa Rosendahl on 2/19/2010 10:45 PM

Note: I deleted the names entered in the interest of privacy so if you entered your name and don't see it, that's why.  

A mixture of regular and first time readers answered the question. I like that. I don't like that I have first time readers and don't know who they are. People answer the questions you ask so be sure that you ask the questions to get you the information you are seeking - lesson learned! 

I get that the anonymity of the widget may have encouraged more responses, so, for those interested, you have an open invitation to connect with me. You can check out the Connect with Lisa section on the sidebar and connect via email, on LinkedIn, or on Twitter or simply leave a note in the comment section.

I'll keep this question up through the weekend and post a new question early next week. Thanks for playing along and be sure to some back soon!

Photo credit iStock Photo