July 29, 2010

How to Use RSS: Are You Subscribed to Musings of a Muse?

If you’re like me, you’re probably a compulsive blog reader. Like right now I can’t keep my eyes off of blogs that are letting the shiz fly about Mel Gibson, such a train wreck, can’t take my eyes off all the hoopla!

Sometimes you definitely don’t want to miss a trick when it comes to what your favorite beauty blogger is babbling about, I know that’s the case for me.

That’s while it’s a great idea to add your fav blogs to your Google Reader.

I’m always shocked when people say to me, Google Reader? RSS? What the hell are those? Are you speaking American (total Bush-ism there, hope you laughed!).

For those that are a tad on the geeky challenged side here’s some simple instructions for keeping abreast of posts on your fav blogs.

If you already have a Google E-mail account, yay for you, this will work easily.

Step 1
Head on into your Gmail Account and look towards the top menu bar. You should have something that says Reader. Click it! Here’s where all the action will take place. On the left hand side you’ll see a blank space, this space will list blogs you “subscribe” to. On the right hand side you’ll see a blank space as well, this space will show you posts from each of the blogs you subscribe to. Note: My areas are not blank since I am subscribed to a few blogs as you can see in the photo below!

Step 2
Head to your favorite blog. Look around the site and see if you notice a Feedburner, Subscribe to my Feed, or RSS icon or button.

Here’s a few examples:

Now click the icon to “subscribe” to the blog.

Step 3
You’ll be presented with a page asking how you’d like to subscribe. Select Google. Another page will pop up asking where you’d like to add it to, select Google Reader.

Step 4
Repeat Step 1 and head back into your Google Reader. You’re done! Congrats! You should see a subscription to the blog in your Google Reader. Google Reader will now alert you each time the blogger posts. Simply head into Google Reader in the morning or afternoon and check back to see new posts. Each time a post is posted it will appear in bold under the subscriptions tab (left side). If I there are no new posts, you won’t see the blog listed so you’ll know it hasn’t been updated yet.

Step 5
Head around the Internet and subscribe to your fav beauty blogs, gossip sites, etc…..most everyone that blogs has a “feed” that you can add to Google Reader.

I hope you’ll make Musings of a Muse one of the first blogs you subscribe to today (that is if you’ve never tried RSS before). Click here to subscribe!

Good Luck and have fun!

12 Comments

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Ladybug

    Dear Muse,

    I love Google Reader and I like your blog, but your “jumps” make it really annoying to read it in RSS. Is there something you can do about that?

    Kind regards

    • the Muse

      hi ladybug.

      I keep the jumps because I think it encourages people to visit and converse with me and one another. Most times when you read in RSS no one bothers to visit or chat. I think the jumps encourage people to actually comment and chat about a product and I really like that interaction 🙂

      • Ladybug

        I understand your concern, but I’m not sure what the jump does for that. I mean, for me, all those clicks on every single page is purely an annoyance and the jumps have honestly never made me comment before this. I’m sure the regulars wouldn’t mind, and if you really want to comment you go through whatever to get there, but usability always makes everything better and I can’t see why it would discourage people from commenting.

        Not trying to be and endless critic, just trying to help 🙂 Because I very much enjoy your blog, dear Muse

        • the Muse

          Hi Ladybug.

          Alot of blogs embrace the read more option. I think it works great for conversation in my experience as a blogger and I also like people to visit because it also encourages more clicks around so people are reading further into the site, not just news posts, but old ones as well. I’m so sorry it’s annoying to you. I think my site is quite user friendly and not terribly difficult to navigate 🙂 See? this got your coming on the comment hehe!

    • the Muse

      thanks for the follow ann xoxoxoxo! bloglovin’ is just as easy as google reader w00t!

  • Phyrra

    I follow you with BlogLovin and I subscribe via Email. I really like BlogLovin.

  • Stavroula Plag

    Very useful post!! 😉 I follow you with BlogLovin too, it’s a great website! 🙂

  • Ricci

    I been following you for quite some time now,with google reader & email sub!