Why With RSS Bigger is NOT Always Better

Yesterday on the Codswallop blog I wrote about the Google Reader RSS Revolt. In the article I mention that with RSS feed counts, bigger is not always better.

Crazy talk! We all want more RSS subscribers, right?

Actually, no. There is a good reason why you might not want a bigger RSS subscriber count …

Why do you want people to subscribe to your blog?

That is the number one reason you need to ask yourself right now. If you can not answer this question right away then you need to think hard and long about why you are blogging.

My blog is there to build a loyal audience, to generate an industry profile. I am a blogging and new media consultant. That’s what I do. The more credibility and respect I have, the more blog consulting work I get and the bigger and better business opportunities come my way. I know from my analytics and questioning customers that I rarely get a blog writing or consultancy lead from a first visit. My number one mission for the blog is to get people to subscribe so over time they can see what a nice and brilliant person I am :)

When you focus on who your most wanted readers are you are less upset when people leave. Like when I lost a bunch of readers through Blog Action Day. I have to think those people were the least likely to pass on great word of mouth about my blog if one post was enough to drive them away!

Having Google Reader stuff and inflate my RSS subscriber count would not help me one bit.ย 

See Also
two person standing on gray tile paving

I once had a client who worked in an industry where he had met in person every single one of his potential prospects and knew them all by name. There were so few companies that needed his type of product that he could fly or drive to meet each and try to make a sale. Would a subscriber count of 10k help this guy? Probably not! An extreme example admittedly but you understand my point.

You will have your own reasons but it always comes down to getting more of the right people to subscribe.ย 

Have you ever considered why you need RSS subscribers? Are you happy with your current readership? Share your thoughts in the comments …

Feeling stuck in self-doubt?

Stop trying to fix yourself and start embracing who you are. Join the free 7-day self-discovery challenge and learn how to transform negative emotions into personal growth.

Join Free Now

Picture of Chris Garrett

Chris Garrett

Chris is a professional blogger and internet marketing consultant. You can get more of his blogging tips, internet marketing advice and copywriting articles and a FREE ebook just by subscribing at chrisg.com

RECENT ARTICLES

TRENDING AROUND THE WEB

4 zodiac signs who are known to be the most physically beautiful

4 zodiac signs who are known to be the most physically beautiful

My Inner Creative

7 myths about introverts people need to stop believing

7 myths about introverts people need to stop believing

NewsReports

People who always assume the worst usually share these 8 pessimistic thinking patterns

People who always assume the worst usually share these 8 pessimistic thinking patterns

Global English Editing

5 zodiac signs that will experience a deep emotional healing in 2025

5 zodiac signs that will experience a deep emotional healing in 2025

Parent From Heart

People who pretend to be successful but are actually struggling to get by often display these behaviors

People who pretend to be successful but are actually struggling to get by often display these behaviors

Hack Spirit

4 zodiac signs who become rich later in life

4 zodiac signs who become rich later in life

My Inner Creative