Getting older users to subscribe

Probably their first RSS feed

[macz_g]

I am having trouble getting older users to adopt/ subscribe to my RSS feeds. This would typically be the first time they are being asked to subscribe to a feed so i am finding it tough to explain what a reader is, get them to join a reader & then join my feed.

Most sites simply give you the feed url, tell you what an aggregator is and leave you to it.

Anyone seen a site that makes it really easy for non-tech folk to subscribe to a feed?

[bill]

That might be a good incentive for you to add some of those buttons for Google, Yahoo and the myriad of other feed services out there. These older users may not know what a feed is, but they will probably know if they have a personalized home/start page at their favorite portal.

[thesheep]

I think the BBC site, for example, has a link next to the feed icon that says 'What is this?' - then you can link to another page, or have a popup or expanding panel, that explains the concept of a feed in everyday language.

The other thing to think about is offering email subscription for updates as an alternative for some readers. Give them the choice.