Official HSB Tech Blog

December 22, 2008

Blogging Revamped ~ Mail Lists 101

A while back we talked about RSS feed - the automated post notification system. A mail list is basically a manual way of letting people know that you've posted. Personally I prefer mail lists to RSS because I am able to manage who gets my notifications and what message they receive. I still leave RSS enabled, but I keep my own mail list as well. As you probably already know, when you mail out to a list, it serves as a reminder that they should come read and comment on your blog. However, since RSS is a way for people to keep track of your blog we will include it in Mail Lists 101.   There are three main ways to mail to a list. 1. Use standard RSS 2. Use the HSB system mail list or 3. Just create your own mail list and send it from your computer. I prefer option three because I am able to manage who is on the list and what they see. Take a look at the chart below to see which list best lines up with your needs. As you can see, RSS is automated. You don't have to ever send it out yourself. However, it doesn't let you manage your subscribers and it doesn't let you change the message they receive. The HSB mailing system is automated and you can manage your subscribers, but it doesn't let you change the email the user gets. The self sent email list isn't automated, but it allows you to manage your subscribers and to change the message they get. So pick which one you want to use and follow the instructions below! RSS There really isn't anything you need to do to setup your RSS. It should be automatically enabled and all users need to do is view it and click "sign up." Your RSS link will be http: //www.homeschoolblogger.com/rss.php?w=YOURNAMEHERE; if your RSS is not turned on just login > Click "settings" > Click "Site Feed" > Select the drop down menu and save it as yes. HSB To add people to your HSB mailing list login > Go to settings > find the "mailing list" text box and paste in the emails of the people you want to notify. Separate each email with a comma. > When posting an entry select the "Send to Mailing List" button. Self Mailing List To add people to your self mailing list go copy their email and paste it in a word doc. Save it to a handy location that you can get to whenever you post a blog. When you post a blog copy the link of the blog and paste it in your email along with a personalized message. Then send it to the people on your mailing list document. No matter which mailing list you choose to use, it will increase your readership and your comments level.   Eric Novak Blogger Extraordinair http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/blogboy

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Comments

December 23, 2008 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Jimmie

These are some good how-to tips, but it's terribly rude to simply start sending out email notifications of your blog's posts to unwary friends. If people haven't signed up or requested to receive updates, you should never send them. That's spam.

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