Why you should switch to Google - Part Two

So you’ve got Gmail – what you need next is Google Reader. It’s simply the very best RSS reader on the market, and once again it’s free! Here are the features of Google reader, and in a moment we’ll explore how to get the best out of it:

Features of Google Reader

• Store as many feeds as you like
• Opening page shows all new posts since you last logged in
• Star button enables you to highlight and return to posts you want to re read
• Share button enables you to share good stuff with your whole Google network
• Email button enables you to send, with a note, good stuff to others
• Fantastic search (it is Google!) to add new feeds
• Suggested feeds offered, based on your usage
• Links seamlessly with Gmail and Google Calendar
• When tabbed in a browser, tab shows new unread feeds

Getting the best from Google Reader:

• Leave it open in a tab when you’re browsing and when there are a few new feeds in (you’ll see from the number count in the tab) head over and scan them
• If the post is too long to read right now, or if you want to come back to it and take some action or re read it, then simply click the star button and it will move into the star folder. Visit your star folder whenever you have more time.
• If the post is one your Google friends might enjoy, then click the share button – that particular post will then be shared with all your Google friends and they will know what you’re enjoying
• If you want to share the post with someone outside you Google friends network, just click the email button, add a note to them and send it
• Use the Trends button to see how many feeds you have, and more information about your reading habits
• Use the Browse for Stuff button to see what feeds Google recommends based on your reading habits
• In settings adjust viewing preferences to suit you and delete or amend your feeds
• Add tags to posts and create folders to categorize your feeds into different areas
• In “Goodies” add the subscribe button to your bookmarks – it will appear with all pages you browse. If you like the page simply click the subscribe button and the feed will be instantly added to Reader

I would recommend you start using Google reader today. If you have a good number of feeds to deal with, there is no better way of staying organized and on top of them.

Missed part one of this post? Here it is!

Are you subscribing to Mike’s Life yet? If not, please do so as I’d like to share the additional content I send out every two weeks to my subscribers. Use the form at top right and just put in your first name and email address. As a first step you’ll get my eBook Blogging for Beginners. Thanks!