I’ve talked about using feedburner to manage subscriptions before, like in this blog on how to use wordpress for podcasting, but I’ve never laid out how to set it up.  This is a step-by-step guide to using feedburner for blog subscriptions.

You can use feedburner in a number of different ways.  The main reason to use it is because it gives you a master feed that you can send other places, like iTunes.  If your original feed changes (when you move from blogger to wordpress for example), you only need to update your original feed.  iTunes won’t know the different and you won’t lose any subscribers.  If you’ve ever tried to change a feed in iTunes, you know this tip will save countless hours.

You also need to give your readers an easy way to subscribe to your content.  The majority of people still subscribe to content via email and feedburner gives you an easy and free way to do that.

How to Setup Feedburner

Create a feedburner account and find your blog’s RSS  feed.  In WordPress it’s usually http://yourblogaddress.com/feed or http://yourblogaddress.com/?feed=rss2.  You can test it by pasting the link into an internet browser.  If you don’t get an error you’ve probably found the right one.

You’ll be presented with a box on the main feedburner page that says “Burn a feed right this instant.”  Enter your feed there and click the box if you’re a podcaster.  You can also add it later if you like.

Now, head back to the main screen and select your feed. At the top click on Edit Feed Details.

You’ll get a screen that looks like this:

The original feed is what you put in when you started. The feed address is what you need to copy and use for RSS sources (like iTunes and subscription settings). That will never change.  Be sure to update the RSS subscription feed on your site to use this new feed.

Feedburner offers many options that you may want to play with, but here’s how to install an email subscription form.

Install an Email Subscription Form On Your Blog

Chose the Publicize tab and then Email Subscriptions from the menu on the left. Click the activate button to continue.

From the next page you’ll need to copy the HTML code from this box and paste it wherever you want your form to display.  Many times in WordPress, you’ll chose widgets from the Appearance menu and post it to a text box in your sidebar.

You’ll also want to customize your text, font size, delivery options, etc. from the sidebar drop menu in feedburner.

That’s it.  Whenever you change your original RSS feed, be sure to update it from that Edit Feed page in feedburner, and your subscribers won’t know the difference.

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066 Coach Radio – Get Paid to Speak for Free

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Kent Julian joins me to talk about how to get paid to speak for free.  I interviewed Kent on his story a few months ago.  He told me he only made $4,000 of revenue during his first year in business.

We’re talking about ideas to get paid, even when you’re speaking for free.

We cover products like books, CDs, DVDs, etc., along with how to get paid speaking events from doing free events.

Kent is leading a Speak it Forward Boot Camp and I’ll be there leading, along with Dan Miller of 48 Days.  When you register, tell Kent you heard about it on Coach Radio.

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I was sitting down in the studio today and had a big realization . . . I just monetized twitter! There’s a lot of talk about how you can’t do that and I’m in the same camp at times. In this video I talk about how twitter relationships can lead to sales.

Click here if you can’t see the video on how to monetize twitter.

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065 Coach Radio – Life and Story Updates, Getting Mad

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I went to Colorado and recorded episode #64 around the campfire.

While there, Christopher Browning and I did a very fun climb, straight up a mountain at 5:30 am.  Here’s the video.

I talked about how to get massive comments on a blog and used God Doesn’t Care what You do as an example.

How to Network Without Business Cards on Epic Launch.  Another blog I wrote that received a big response.

I’m headed to Portland, OR in a few weeks with some friends.  I’ll report back and let you know what I learn about story.

Here’s where I get frustrated with story, prayer, and waiting.  I reference a blog, titled., If you want to get something done, STOP praying.

CoachU is coming up and will likely sell out in advance of the event.  Hope to see you there!

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I’m back from a week-long trip to Colorado where I was working with a small group of people who are very passionate about becoming Free Agents.   I was going to be on an airplane during my regular, live podcast, so I decided to record an episode with these guys, late at night around the campfire.

While it was fun to hang out there and record our conversation, something big struck me.  This community thing we talk about all the time is more than just a buzz word; it’s a very powerful tool that has, and will, help many people reach their goals.

It doesn’t matter what the goals are.  You might be trying to lose weight, get out of debt, or become self-employed.  Maybe you’re just trying to be a kinder person to others.

I’ve received comments from listeners who said they were in tears while listening to the fireside chat.  Really? I mean, it was just a conversation that I happened to record.

I Don’t Know What to Do

I understand the power of community; I talk about it all the time.  Until you actually experience the power of it, I think your life is only normal.

During the times I’ve accomplished some of my biggest feats, I’ve always been in community with others.  It may have been climbing a mountain, growing my business, or just hanging out, talking about life.

Maybe it’s the word community.  You say it and people nod their heads, but they don’t seem to get it.  They have to do it.

What are you doing to live in community?  Or are you just going it alone?

Post your ideas here and let’s talk.

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064 Coach Radio – Around the Campfire

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I was in the mountains of Colorado this week with a group of Free Agents who are working on some phenomenal self-employment ideas.  At the end of the second day, the group was wiped out.

We hung out around the campfire after dinner and I recorded a discussion on becoming self-employed, finding ideas, and taking action.

I hope it inspires you to get off your butt and move!

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