RSS Feeds: Curate Content and Automate Social Media Posting

What Is an RSS Feed?

RSS stands for Really Simple Syndication or Rich Site Summary. It is an XML format that streamlines and simplifies the process of sharing content across the web. RSS feeds were first introduced in 1999 but only started gaining attention in 2002, because of The New York Times.

Popular platforms like WordPress utilize RSS feeds to notify tools and applications when new content is published. In essence, an RSS feed is your content in a distilled form, ready to be shared far and wide.

An RSS Feed is a simpler version of the content you have, that is ready to be distributed. Even though it’s more used in news industries, social media platforms can also take advantage of it.

What Is Content Curation?

Content curation involves collecting and sharing valuable insights from various authoritative sources, offering diverse perspectives and expert opinions on your niche or area of expertise.

Harnessing RSS feeds in content curation revolutionizes the way we consume content, making the curation process more streamlined and efficient. When you subscribe to an authoritative source’s RSS feed, you’re automatically updated with their latest posts, ensuring you never miss out on valuable content. 

This RSS automation is a game-changer, especially when you’re tracking multiple of your favorite websites and news sites, saving you the hassle of checking each site individually.

By meticulously selecting your sources and incorporating diverse, unique, and quality RSS content, you position yourself as a trusted authority in your niche, ultimately driving engagement and bolstering your brand’s online presence.

Understanding RSS Feeds and Their Role in Social Media

In social media, RSS makes it easy to curate relevant and high-quality content that can be shared with your audience. This not only provides them with valuable information but also helps you maintain a consistent posting schedule. 

Furthermore, RSS feeds can be employed to automate social media postings, further streamlining the content distribution process.

Here are the benefits of using RSS Feeds for social media management:

• Time efficiency: Automate social media postings and content curation, freeing up more time for other essential tasks.
• Consistent content: Ensure a steady flow of fresh and relevant material to keep your audience engaged.
• Enhanced brand awareness: Share valuable content on your social media feed from esteemed sources to establish your brand as a trusted figure in your niche.
• Increased web traffic: Use curated content to drive more visitors to your own website or social media channels.

How to Find RSS Feeds for Social Media Content Curation

The first step in leveraging RSS feeds for content curation is to identify reputable and relevant feeds that align with your audience’s interests. Once you have your feeds, use an RSS feed aggregator or tool to manage and organize them effectively. This will make it easier to access the content you need. 

Next, filter and evaluate the content to ensure it aligns with your social media strategy and brand voice. This step is crucial as it ensures that you are sharing content that resonates with your audience and reflects your brand identity.

To find relevant blogs from your niche that offer RSS feeds, consider the following strategies:

• Use blog page directories and aggregators: Platforms such as Alltop, Bloglovin’, and Technorati are excellent resources for finding niche-specific blogs. They usually categorize blogs by topics, making it easier for you to find relevant blogs in your industry.
• Utilize RSS feed aggregators: Platforms like Feedly and Inoreader are not only RSS feed readers but also allow you to search for blogs by keywords related to your niche. They often suggest related blogs when you add a new feed to your list.
• Use Google search: Google is always a valuable tool. Use niche-specific keywords along with “blog” to find relevant blogs. Once you find a blog, look for the RSS icon (often an orange square with white radio waves) to subscribe to its feed.
• Join online communities and forums: Online communities and forums related to your niche can be great places to find recommended blogs. Members often share their favorite resources, which can include blogs with RSS feeds.
• Check blog roll lists on other blogs: Many bloggers create a list of their favorite related blogs in their blogroll. Check these lists on blogs you already follow to find new, relevant blogs.

How Do You Get the RSS Feed URL?

Here are several methods you can use to find RSS feeds:

1. Look for the RSS Icon: Many websites that offer RSS feeds will have an orange RSS icon, usually located in the footer or header of the website. Click on this icon to access the RSS feed.
2. Check the website’s source code: Right-click on the website and select “View Page Source” or equivalent. Press Ctrl + F or Cmd + F and type in “RSS” to search for the RSS feed URL in the page’s code.
3. Use a browser extension or plugin: There are various browser extensions and plugins specifically designed to detect and display RSS feeds for websites. Some popular options include “RSS Subscription Extension” for Chrome or “Awesome RSS” for Firefox.
4. Manually add /feed or /RSS to the URL: Some websites will have their RSS feed available by simply adding “/feed” or “/RSS” to the end of their URL.
5. Use online tools or aggregators: Online tools and aggregators like Feedly or Inoreader can help you find and subscribe to RSS feeds based on topics or websites you are interested in.

Once you’ve obtained the link, you can choose a social media management tool like SocialBee to start setting up your feed. Keep reading to find out how.

How to Automate Social Media Posting with RSS Feeds

We all can agree that an RSS feed is a fantastic resource for curating content and staying in the know. But imagine the monumental task of manually adding posts from over 20 sources to at least 6 different social media accounts. The hours spent doing this can be better utilized elsewhere.

This is where the magic of automatic posting comes in. Once you’ve obtained the RSS feed URL, you can employ tools like SocialBee to automate your social media posts. This way, whenever a new post gets published on your blog, SocialBee will instantly schedule it to be shared on your socials.

SocialBee simplifies the process, allowing you to schedule posts, select social profiles, and even set expiration dates for time-sensitive content.

Import your RSS feed to SocialBee to automatically share your newly published content on social media.

Start your 14-day free trial today!

To import an RSS Feed in SocialBee and share content from a website, follow these steps:

1. Define your RSS by going to SocialBee → Content → RSS, selecting social media profiles, pasting the RSS link, choosing the content category, appending text if needed, and setting the post approval method.
2. Access advanced settings to select post text options, set post expiration limits, opt out of link shortening, trim text for Twitter, and decide whether to add a main image from the link. (All Advanced settings are available to Accelerate, Pro, or higher plans)
3. Preview the most recent three articles from your RSS feed and see how they will appear on different social accounts.
4. Create and import posts, with default settings fetching the latest 10 posts from the RSS feed, and options available for importing up to 100 articles.
5. Edit, refresh, or pause your RSS by going to SocialBee → Content → RSS and clicking “Edit RSS,” with changes applying to all future articles.
6. Delete your RSS by clicking the bin icon and confirming the deletion in the pop-up, noting that previously imported posts will be permanently removed.