Think Before You Engage: 100 Questions to Ask Before Starting a Social Media Marketing Campaign

26. What Is Google Reader?

Google Reader is one of the most efficient, clean-looking RSS feed readers online. If you already have a Google account, you've already done most of the work involved in setting up your own Google Reader account. If you don't have a Google account already, setting one up is simple. If you don't use Gmail, fear not. You can create a Google account with your current email address. Step-by-step directions for setting up your Gmail account, can be found online. Read Google's tutorial called “How to Set Up a Gmail Account.”

Go to Google's Create an Account page. Fill out the form and submit it. In a few seconds, check your email and click on the confirmation link. Presto! You have a Google account. Your sign in name will be your email address.

Google Reader Settings

When you sign into your account page, the first link at the top left will be Google Reader. Click the link next to it that says Settings. From the settings page, you can customize Google Reader to your liking. From the Settings panel, you can click on one of five tabs: Preferences, Subscriptions, Folders and Tags, Goodies, and Import/Export. If you're new to using a feed reader, I suggest sticking with the default options. As you use Google Reader, you'll learn what you like and what you don't, then you can start changing settings to the way you want them.

Preferences

This tab covers the basic options. ...