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1. slobizman
   Member
   Posted 2 years ago #

   I'm converting a website to a WP blog. The current website comes with 600 email addresses in a mailing list derived from a "Subscribe" box on the site. I'm trying to decide if I should set up a similar function in the new site as well.

   Why am I thinking it over and not just do it? Well, for one, the rise of RSS makes it not as crucial. Now, it's not a blog for techies, so I know that not many users will actually switch over to it. But as time goes by (quickly) more and more people will use RSS as it will be more integrating into their browsers etc.

   The client also wants commenting users to be registered. Since I'm doing this, I'm going to end up having two lists of people -- the mailing list and the registered member list. Could not only get to be a hassle for the client, but also confusing for the user who would wonder why I have two ways to "register" or "subscribe".

   I think there are plugins that let me email to registered members. What if the client emails to everyone on his mailing list and told them that there is a new way to get updates and that is by being a member of the site and give very short instructions and a link to the registration page. I know I'll probably get one or two out of ten to actually do it, but they will be the most interested anyway.

   I'd really be most grateful to hear people's opinions on this subject. Should I just consider traditional "mailing lists" dead?

2. Otto42
   Moderator
   Posted 2 years ago #

   Normal mailing lists are not dead, however they're not necessarily "mailing lists" anymore either.

   Look at Google Groups for an example. It can function perfectly well as a mailing list. You can post to it via email, and anybody subscribed can receive those posts via email. But you can also read it on the web and not receive any emails. Or you can subscribe to a feed that has the posts. Or you can subscribe to a daily summary of the posts. And so on.

   The point is that it gives the users the choice of exactly how they want to see the content.

   Now, RSS is similar to the classic mailing list in that it's generally one-way communication. You to 600 other people. However, giving them choices is probably a good thing. But what's good for you is keeping things simple.

   I use feedburner for my RSS feed. One neat thing it can do is send out emails to subscribers when the feed updates. Feedburner handles all the subscribe and unsubscribe functionality, all I do is to write and publish a feed of it.

   So, I would keep those emails and send out one last mailing, telling your users of the new ways that they can see your content. Combine the feed and the mailing list functionality.

   I'd also eliminate the registration requirement for commenting. If I have to register to comment, then I don't bother to comment at all. What's more important to you? Getting feedback from your readers, or getting their contact information?

   But that's just what I'd do. I'm not your client. :)

3. slobizman
   Member
   Posted 2 years ago #

   I've heard a lot of people talking about Feedburner and see it everywhere. I better read up on it. I was searching around for wordpress feedburner and saw something on this web page. Look down in the right sidebar for the wording "Subscribe to Work At Home Business Blog by Email". When I click it I get a Feedburner "Email Subscription Request". Is that a service of Feedburner where that's alll I'd have to do to my site to host a "mailing list" that alerts users of new posts? Would they have to know anything further about RSS? Or would they simply just start getting notifications via email that another article has been posted? If so, that's great! And if so, what is the plugin or widget or whatever I need to do that?

   Thank you!

4. slobizman
   Member
   Posted 2 years ago #

   Otto, THANK YOU!

   I went to Feedburner and checked it out and even already installed the email subscription on one of my web sites as a test. I can embed the email request form on a page, or instead, place a link in the sidebar to bring up their form. I really wanted this off the site, and externally hosted so it's great!

   Probably the only thing I'll lose is the ability to have control of the list if I ever need it in a file. But, I haven't checked on that, maybe I can. If not, it's not a huge deal.

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