It seems the latest rage online is video. No, I’m not talking movie trailers or Google Video, rather, video used for marketing purposes on a website.

Amazon is going to be adding a video show on its website featuring authors and performers. They will be will be promoting products sold by Amazon, and viewers will be able to click through and buy immediately. This new show starts on June 1.

If Amazon’s doing it, it will spread.

Another site, MyWeddingFavors.com already has a recently-launched video show, MyWeddingFavors.tv, with a format similar to cable TV’s Home Shopping Network and QVC. It features the owner and a local actress reviewing the products (wedding favors), with links to purchase them on the side. The show was professionally produced and I believe it will do well.

The web has always lacked the “touchy-feely” aspect that you get while shopping in a store. Video that markets products is adding the in-person effect for those who shop from home — plus, it is a perfect opportunity to sell directly to a captivated audience.

How could you add video to your site and sell more product?

What is RSS?

RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication.” In short, RSS makes it easy to get news updates from different websites with little time and effort.

Updates are sent to your web browser or computer, and all the news from your favorite sites is displayed in one location. You don’t have to visit each site to see what’s new — summaries or full articles are right there. You can then click the headline to visit the actual website and read more.

How do I know if a site supports RSS?

The actual links for RSS updates are called RSS feeds. Some sites will announce their “RSS Feed” with a text link. Others will display a small orange image, labeled “RSS” or “XML”.

This site displays a small orange button with radar lines which is supposed to be the new standard RSS button.

How do I read RSS Feeds?

You can read RSS feeds with a software program or an online service. The software RSS readers usually cost, so we’ll start with the free online services.

My recommendation is to start with Google’s Reader RSS service. Visit their website to sign up.

If you already use Yahoo Mail or Gmail, you should stick to reading feeds in My Yahoo! or Gmail’s Web Clips. Web Clips appear right above your Gmail inbox and make viewing RSS updates easy.

Other online services include NewsGator and Bloglines.

If you feel like trying out a software program, look at FeedDemon (Windows) and NetNewsWire (Mac OS X).

How do I add a feed to my RSS reader?

With an online service, you’ll need to copy the feed link and paste it in their “add a feed” function. With software, clicking a feed link should allow you to add the feed to your feed reader.

Give RSS a try and keep updated really simply!

Happy 2006! We are happy to have a new and improved website for a new year. Let us know what you think.