Putting a simple mailing selection on your site need not be that complicated. In fact, there are several very easy ways to do this and to then be sure that you are getting the best from your efforts. There are some steps to take to be sure that you are seeing the very best results.
Personally, I use two different ways to run mailing lists. There is a third way that people sometimes try thinking it is best, but in fact it turns out to be very problematic. And that is the manual approach. Do not try this! Some people think that if they have a straightforward contact form to collect email addresses and then send emails through outlook they could run a basicmailing selection. Do not bother - it is doomed to failure through spam detectors and upsetting your ISP.
So, what are the realistic mailing selection choices? Well the first is to install a plugin, for example the imaginatively titled Newsletter pluggin and to use that. It is very simple to install and set-up and really needs no explanation. The only issue is the bulk sending of emails may offend your ISP.
Therefore, the next best solution is a free mailing selection provider. For this I use ymlp.com and sign up for their free service once the trial period is more than. This is a good one to use, even though there are masses of alternatives. Again this is easy to install. You merely tell them what fields you want to collect (as for instance name and email) and they give you the html for the form. Copy and paste that into a suitable page on your weblog and you have your double opt in mailing list set up.
That is the sourcing of the mailing list sorted, but where do you collect the information? Ideally on every page! Within the side bar of your weblog copy and paste in the mailing selection form and this way every reader gets to see the opportunity to join. But, will they be convinced? Maybe not, so you also need a clear link to a page around the newsletter.
On this page repeat the sign up form and talk a little about the newsletter. Probably mention how often you send a newsletter (with me, not very often!), make an offer or incentive for signing up (like my free ebook!) and promise not to sell or misuse email addresses. There is nothing worse than signing up for amailing selection and then getting heaps of spam.
Probably even, if you are using a service let's say YMLP, link to earlier copies of the newsletter, this shows the quality of it and can convince more people to sign up. Also, tricks for instance the so call slide ups (the new versions of pop ups), which show to new users might also ensure that a load of people are joining yourmailing list.
So, to put a mailing list on your site, grab the pluggin or sign up for a free service, install the capture form in relevant places and make an offer that readers cannot refuse!
Author Resource:
Written by Keith Lunt of How To Start My Blog . Call in if you need any help or advice with starting a blog .
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/icon_Rss.png "XML Feed For RSS"){kind=icon}
Category Rss Feed
Print This Article
Add To Favorites
![[Valid RSS feed]](http://www.look4articles.com/images/rss.jpg "XML Feed For RSS")