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 RSS is a big buzz word right now,
and this question has been popping up all over the place.
Will RSS ever replace email?
In short, the answer is no.
RSS will never totally replace email because they each do
totally different things.
RSS was designed for a totally different purpose than
email, and technologically speaking, it would be
impossible for RSS to do everything email can.
Consider this analogy: RSS and Email are like TV and
telephone.
If you want to reach a broad audience of spectators, you
use the TV or RSS. Consumers like TV because they hold the
remote and can change the channel at will. They have total
control. Likewise they can an RSS feed at any time if they
so choose, and instantly the source of information is
totally gone, never to return against the person's will.
Email is like the telephone: You can email or call anyone
based on their phone number or email address, and they can
call you or email you back. Consumers like email and the
telephone because of the two-way communication. But with
the two-way communication comes the possibility of having
annoying telemarketers and spammers along with it. And boy
do they come!
One is not better than the other because they both serve
two totally different purposes.
In my opinion, RSS is better for reaching a large list of
subscribers because it is 100% spam proof and puts the
control into the hands of the consumer.
Why fight the spam filters when you can avoid them
altogether?
Internet marketers that think they are "more in
control" by using email instead of RSS are somewhat
disillusioned. Consumers can unsubscribe to your email
list any time they want to. If they try to unsubscribe
from your list but can't, then you are spamming them.
If you truly offer valuable content, consumers will look
forward to getting your messages whether they come by
email or RSS.
Considering the fact that a good number of emails are
getting blocked by spam filters, you have a better chance
of reaching more of your subscribers via RSS.
With that said, email will always be necessary on an
individual basis so you can have two-way communication.
RSS was never made for that, and will never fill that
role. But RSS can reach a large group of spectators with a
100% delivery guarantee. And that is something email just
can't match!
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