Putting a simple mailing selection on your site need not be that complicated. In fact, there are a few very easy ways to do this and to then be sure that that you are getting the best from your efforts. There are some steps to take to ensure that 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! Several people think that if they have a simple contact form to collect email addresses and then send emails through outlook they might run a basicmailing list. Do not bother – it is doomed to failure through spam detectors and upsetting your ISP.

So, what are the realistic mailing collection choices? Well the first is to install a plugin, for instance the imaginatively titled Newsletter pluggin and to use that. It is very simple to install and set-up and really needs no explanation. The merely issue is the bulk sending of emails might offend your ISP.

Therefore, the next best solution is a free mailing collection 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 loads of alternatives. Again this is easy to install. You just tell them what fields you want to collect (such as 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 selection set up.

That is the sourcing of the mailing collection sorted, but where do you collect the information? Ideally on every page! Within the side bar of your site copy and paste in the mailing list form and this way every visitor gets to see the opportunity to join. But, will they be convinced? Probably 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 round the newsletter. Perhaps 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 collection and then getting plenty of spam.

Possibly even, if you are using a service for instance YMLP, link to earlier copies of the newsletter, this shows the quality of it and could convince more people to sign up. Also, tricks let’s say the so call slide ups (the new versions of pop ups), which show to new users might also ensure that that heaps of people are joining yourmailing list.

So, to put a mailing collection on your blog, 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!

Written by Keith Lunt of Starting A Blog. Call in if you need any help or advice with starting blogging.

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