Tel: 0113 2170419
www.littlefishwebdesign.com
E-mail campaigns...Part 2
Friday, October 28, 2005
Last post looked at the legal side of e-mail and newsletter campaigns. Now to look at how to implement them at no cost. Using your desktop e-mail program is the simplest method, followed by a hosted solution. Finally, there are some very good free scripts out there but are slightly more complex to set up.
*** Using Outlook Express, or another desktop e-mail program ***
1) Copy your list of recipients into the BCC (='Blind Carbon Copy') field in a new e-mail. [TIP: If this is not visible, go to 'View' and select 'All Headers']
2) Put your e-mail address in the 'To' field
3) Type your message and off you go!
4) To see who you sent it to, right click on the message in the 'Sent Items' folder and choose 'Properties'.
Advantages
- No recipient can see the e-mail address of any other recipient, so you maintain privacy.
- You know that it's been sent because you'll also receive a copy.
Disadvantages
- You have to deal with unsubscribes and bounces manually.
- Limited customisation options.
*** Using a hosted solution ***
We've found Listapp to be a very simple and effective newsletter service. The setup is very straightforward, and it automatically generates the code for people to (un)subscribe, for both your e-mails and webpages, as well as letting you customise various options.
Advantages
- Simple to setup and maintain.
Disadvantages
- Limited customisation options.
*** Hosting your own script ***
If you can host your own scripts and have some experience in setting them up, PHPlist is by far and away the best free script we've seen.
Advantages
- Fully customisable.
- Automated bounce and subscribe options
Disadvantages
- Setup not for the faint-hearted! You must have knowledge of FTP, CHMOD and editing script files.
Labels: email, programming, resources, spam
Links
We recommend: Bizon calling card on Bizoncard.com