Sending a newsletter

[Lab309]

I'm the current chair for a group and have e-mail addresses for all of them, anfd just want to send everybody a monthly newsletter. (Possibly one more mailing a month)
Anyway, the e-mail list feature appears to be what I want to use, but it eems it's more for discussion, i.e. anyone who is subscribed to the list can post to it, and as soon as this happens, everybody seems to get a copy.(?)

How do you use the e-mail list to send out an announcement (with a link *inside* the text of the e-mail for replies that I'll read and nobody on the list should read, eh?) every few weeks?

Thanks in advance.

--jim

 

[matrixx]

**Admins feel free to move this to advertising/3rd party software if deemed necessary**

Hi Jim,

I'm in the process of developing a plugin for DA that sets up a (free) professional newsletter and lead management system for each user if they wish.

The system is not based on the users server for various reasons but links in with our mail servers.

I wasn't going to mention anything on the forum until the plugin bit of it is complete (the user interface is ready and working) but since you asked it's probably an appropriate response..

If you (or anyone else) wants to have a look around inside it or set up an account before the release of the plugin you can set one up Here

I expect to release it as a plugin in the next couple of weeks that will allow admin/reseller/user access to set up the accounts.

The accounts are limited and include a link to the mailing software homepage. Paid accounts don't have the link to the homepage in them.

For the vast majority of end users I believe the free accounts will be enough.

Hope this helps,

Rob

 

[nobaloney]

How do you use the e-mail list to send out an announcement (with a link *inside* the text of the e-mail for replies that I'll read and nobody on the list should read, eh?) every few weeks?

Since you want to get the replies, one way would be to set up the list as a moderated list. Then any responses would come directly to you, and you'd read them but not approve them for delivery.

For information on setting up a moderated list under Majordomo, you might want to read the Majordomo list-owner-info email, which is NOT distributed with DA.

You can find a sample copy of it here, but you'll have to change the sample information to refer to your list.

Jeff

 

[nobaloney]

The system is not based on the users server for various reasons but links in with our mail servers.

I for one would sure like to know what those various reasons are before considering using your mail server to send to my lists, since then you'd have access to the lists.

Surely you must have a good reason to be willing to take on what could end up being an awful lot of data transfer; I'd just love to know what it is.

Jeff

 

[nobaloney]

I did want to add to the thread that there free and commercial solutions you can install in userspace on individual websites that do the job well; "Subscribe Me" and "Subscribe Me Pro" come to mind, and we've successfully managed them for clients for several years.

Jeff

 

[matrixx]

I for one would sure like to know what those various reasons are before considering using your mail server to send to my lists, since then you'd have access to the lists.

Surely you must have a good reason to be willing to take on what could end up being an awful lot of data transfer; I'd just love to know what it is.

Jeff

Hi Jeff,

Yes we have access to our lists same as admins have access to the sites on their server etc - we are registered in the UK to hold databases on other peoples behalf as you need certification from the government to do that over here. So our certification saves hassle and money for each client.

The 2 major camps for autoresponders are webbased (browser based or online) or pc/script based. There are strong arguments for both I'm firmly in the web based camp.

The accounts don't allow a massive amount of data and they are ad supported (only ads for the system), if the end user would like the ads removing and have access to the full system then there is a monthly fee.

The account features are sufficient enough that most people could use them without needing to get the full package

i.e. 100 subscribers, a few custom and demographic questions, split mailings, personalisation etc etc.

Over the last 2 years of running the system we have found enough people do well enough to fund upgrading their system to 'ad free'. The ration works out as financially viable!

All I can say is login and kick it's tyres.

Hope this helps,

Rob

 

[nobaloney]

All I can say is login and kick it's tyres.

Thanks, Rob.

I'd like to see something more specific in your terms of service about customer lists being completely private and about your willingness to destroy them on request.

I can't see as products such as "Subscribe Me" would cause a problem under UK law; as each site owner would install and use Subscribe Me" for his own lists.

Good luck with the service.

Jeff

 

[matrixx]

I'd like to see something more specific in your terms of service about customer lists being completely private and about your willingness to destroy them on request.

I can't see as products such as "Subscribe Me" would cause a problem under UK law; as each site owner would install and use Subscribe Me" for his own lists.

Hi Jeff,

I added a points 2.4 and 2.5 to the TOS just to make our position extreemly clear.

I had a look at the service you mentioned. So long as the system is compliant with the new can-spam laws then it should be ok.

Subscribe me is cgi which I believe puts more load on the server. It is not by default double optin by the looks of it which exposes nieve users to 'upheld' spam complaints. In the UK it's £5000 per upheld complaint. Our system has a fully trackable ip and date stamp double optin confirmation so all our users are very protected in the case of any spam allegations.

I'll drop a thread in the 'right' area of the forum when the plugin is finished

Rob