Free Technology Saves You 30 Minutes a Day

As a Certified Legal Nurse Consultant, if you read even one blog regularly, using Google Reader is for you. It will save you time, I promise.

This article is written for any legal nurse consultant who is new to reading blogs. Here’s how to save 30 minutes a day by learning how to subscribe to one. If you are already a regular blog reader and comfortable with RSS, you can think of this post as a review.

If you have no idea about how to use RSS (or even what it is), follow these instructions and you will be subscribed to your favorite blogs (like this one) and already saving time by the end of this article.

What Is RSS and Why Is It Worthwhile?

The acronym RSS stands for “Really Simple Syndication.”

RSS is a technology that allows you to subscribe to any website that has the RSS logo or words such as, “RSS Feed” in the address bar. RSS allows you to track every site you’re subscribed to without having to go to each individual site.

If you’re like me, there is more than one website that you love to read. Without RSS, I would be accessing these sites one at a time to see if there was anything new to read. With RSS, I never again have to go to a site that has no new material. By subscribing to the sites I enjoy, I am updated every time they post something new.

Why I’m Focusing on Google Reader

In order to get you subscribed, we have to pick one FeedReader to show you how to use it. (“FeedReaders” are the programs used to collect and manage RSS subscriptions.)

I’ve chosen Google Reader for 3 reasons:

1. It’s free and available to everyone no matter what computer or browser you use.
2. It is by far the most popular FeedReader.
3. It’s really easy to use, so let’s get started.

Setting Up Google Reader

1. Create a Google account.
2. Go to Google Reader and make sure you’re signed in.

Adding a subscription in Google Reader.

1. Select “Add a subscription” from the left column.
2. Type in “http://www.legalnurse.com/VickiesBlog/” and click “Add” as shown below.

Adding a subscription from elsewhere online.

1. When you are visiting a site that you want to subscribe to, click the orange icon on the site.



2. When you see a page like this, select Google as the Reader for your subscription.



3. On the next page, click “Subscribe Now.”
4. Then click, “Add to Google Reader.”
   • Click “Home” at the top of the left column to see new, unread posts listed with just a few lines of content for each.
   • Click “All Items” just below “Home,” to see new, unread posts showing the complete posts.
   • Selecting a subscription from the list in the left column allows you to see new posts as well as scroll down through older ones. (See Google Reader Example below.)


Reading and Managing Your Subscriptions

Reading Options

Your favorite blogs will be listed in the left column of your Google Reader page. Options for reading your feeds, or subscriptions, are:





Scanning Options

In the upper right corner you will see tabs for “Expanded” view and “List” view. The Reader defaults to “Expanded” view. These views allow you to decide whether you see all content as you scroll through your feeds or just titles with the first few words.

Marking as Read

A post is marked read when you click it. Scrolling through posts will also mark them as read, although you can turn this feature off in settings if you wish. Finally, if you want to mark all your new posts as read at once, you can do so at the top of the “All Items” page.

You’re All Set!

As you poke around in Google Reader, I’m sure you’ll find more nifty ways to improve your RSSing. But for now, you have what you need to go on a wild subscription binge.

You will, of course, want to subscribe to Vickie’s Blog, if you haven’t already.

If you have any questions, please feel free to leave them in the comments. Happy blog reading!

Guest Blogger Profile

Brian Horn is an Internet marketing consultant who specializes in search engine marketing, site optimization, social media marketing, link building and web data analytics. Brian has consulted with Vickie Milazzo Institute for over three years.

Brian also speaks at seminars and conferences throughout the U.S. and Canada on how to use the Internet to improve business.