Tom Hespos wrote yesterday on MediaPost an excellent article to explain the marketing power of RSS (Really Simple Syndication). Apparently operating on the push model, they actually put consumer in control, since it's up to the end user to decide which content to receive.
RSS might be seen as a "spam" free" alternative to email marketing.

I believe text-based ads will work for RSS feeds. RSS represent another chance for contextual advertising. Relevant advertising content can be put at the end of the feed. However I think it will be important to clearly separate the feed content from the advertising content. RSS appear to be a powerful tool for marketers, and it's important to immediately gain people's trust. Two simple words like "sponsored link" might do the job.

RSS is perfectly capable of handling full media, which can be applied to ads. Quikonnex, http://www.quikonnex.com/111 is already there.

All advertising is not bad, it is just that ads which do not interest us are seen as a nuisance. An ad for something in which I am interested is a service to me and because I have reasonably good taste, something attractive is appreciated.

I think the real issue for marketers using RSS feeds is to take the time to truly target their advertising to a segment of the market which will be interested in what they have to offer. Whether the ad is text or full flash is not the issue. IS the ad of interest to the recipients? That is where serious internet marketers and other advertisers need to focus their attention.

I don't do email, but can be reached via QMTP:
http://tinuviel.quikonnex.com

Posted by: Barbara Nachtigall at October 21, 2003 11:13 PM