Which email newsletter software/service to use?

carju1 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-08-2003, 01:49 PM

I am seriously looking at starting a monthly newletter for fans of the Nissan Rally Raid team. The newsletter would contain 1 monthly article (interview with a driver type thing), calander for the month ahead (rallies, web competitions, motor-shows etc) and a summary of the last months activity for the team. The purpose of the newslatter is primarily to remind fans the site exists and to get them to re-visit the site. I have an initial list of about 300 fans who have signed up for other promotions on the site.

My questions are:
a) Should I run the data base myself and use a program like outlook to maintain my lists (I'm quite capable of doing the subscribe/unsubscribe pages for the site and managing the list) or
b) Should I pay for a list server and newsletter software. If so which ones and what are the real benefits for me if I do?

The problems I am going to have are that everything has to be tri-lingual so I need different sign up screens, welcome letters and newsletters for each language group and I want it distributed in both HTML and text. The HTML version will have to be in Team colours meeting Brand Identity Guidelines so I'll have to design this layout myself. Most of the 'cheap' software (like list builder in MSN) can not handle the multi lingual requirements especially in its automatic pages.

Any thoughts, help or personal experiences greatly appreciated.

Regards
Julian

webproguy · #2 (**permalink**) 07-08-2003, 02:56 PM

Julian,

In my opinion you should not use Outlook to maintain your list. You should utilize software that is designed specifically for email list management. The software will include features such as bounce handling, unsubscribe and subscribe support, ISP friendly high-speed bulk sending, HTML email support and maintain statistics on number of delivers, total sends and much more.

It is critical to successful email publishing that you send and manage your newsletter with professional software. Trust me on this one! I started one of the internet's first HTML newsletters called NewsLinx Web News (now owned by internet.com where I was formerly their Director of Email Operations) which was originally sent by an open source bulk mailer without many advanced features. Many mistakes were made because of this.

I looked into using LSoft ( http://www.lsoft.com ), an ASP for sending email, but eventually settled on Lyris ( http://www.lyris.com ) because it was more cost effective for us and had all of the advanced features.

At iEntry, the parent company of the WebProWord forum, we use both our own internally developed software and a high-priced software program called Accucast, in conjunction with a softare package called Port25.

Below are a couple of articles I found in WebProNews on this subject:

http://www.webpronews.com/wpn-5-2003...fTheShelf.html

http://www.webpronews.com/wpn-5-2003...tSoftware.html

Both articles are by our WebProNews email newsletter expert Michael J. Katz. Perhaps others have more software or ASP suggestions for you as well.

Thanks.

kfegarty · #3 (**permalink**) 07-09-2003, 03:32 PM

I agree - please do not use a product like Outlook to manage your lists. It really does become to cumbersome to manage bounced, unsubscribes, subscribes, etc. as your lists become bigger.

We use Broadc@st http://www.mailworkz.com which is a product we developed. But at the risk of being self-promoting take a look at Gammadyne as well. They are a worthy competitor http://www.gammadyne.com

jeffg · #4 (**permalink**) 07-09-2003, 03:56 PM

We use Constant Contact which is reliable though it requires a separate on-line database be kept. Since we have an ACT contact database there's a duplication of work in loading and deleting e-mail addresses.

carju1 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-15-2003, 05:46 PM

I'm slowly working my way through the suggested software and testing those I can.

Regards & Thanks

Julian

p.s. I'm sure I posted this in e-newsletters not SEO ???

bonza girl · #6 (**permalink**) 07-18-2003, 07:17 PM

Get Response Autoresponder is also very good.
It costs though
Ros

Janet · #7 (**permalink**) 07-19-2003, 02:12 AM

Here is a very good comparison table of many email programs:
http://www.gammadyne.com/gm-comparison.htm

vfaulkner · #8 (**permalink**) 07-20-2003, 11:40 PM

Topica Email Publisher at http://www.email-publisher.com/

I am still learning but this seems good.

Linda Buquet · #9 (**permalink**) 07-21-2003, 11:30 AM

Julian,

Since your list is fairly small - you can get the best pricing at http://www.intellicontactpro.com Their pricing starts at only $13 a month and they have all the features the others do. I used to recommend another HTML email service but they were just too expensive.

(FYI, I think you did post in email marketing - but it looks like they merged threads.)

tonykoh · #10 (**permalink**) 07-22-2003, 12:03 AM

Julian,

Since your list is small, you can simply use a freeware available at http://www.mailsbroadcast.com
Check it out.

WebCraft · #11 (**permalink**) 07-22-2003, 01:26 PM

Carju,

As I have tested so many newsletter systems, i found one that is 100% FREE and is completely customizable. In addition you can create as many newsletter topics, and contain as many subscribers as you feel you need.
The program is called MOJO Mail. It is Perl, and very powerful.
" Mojo Mail is an intuitive, web-based e-mail list management system, which runs on any hosting account that can execute custom CGI scripts.

The web site where you can get the program is: http://mojo.skazat.com/

I have it in use with 30 varieties of different newsletters on my site: http://nswebcraft.com/

It enables you to send, straight text, html or web pages with ease.
I hope that this will help.

Linda Buquet · #12 (**permalink**) 07-28-2003, 01:27 PM

I forgot to mention the fact that http://www.intellicontactpro.com also has a two tier affiliate program that offers ongoing residual income. If anyone is interested in becoming an e-mail marketing reseller.

carju1 · #13 (**permalink**) 07-28-2003, 02:54 PM

Once again thanks all, I'm still sifting my way through some of your suggestions. The project is low priority for the client so I can only spend a couple of hours a week officially looking.

What I'm tending to find is that a lot of the products that are based on someone elses server tend to be too inflexible for my multi language requirements and those DIY ones have such a steep learning curve I read the bumf and do a kermit (throw hands in air and go aggghhhhhhh to complex - just imaging kermits arms on those little sticks waving in the air in panic- you'll get the picture:)

If any one has other suggestions please do add them, and Janet that comparison table page is great.

regards
Julian

fathom · #14 (**permalink**) 07-29-2003, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kfegarty

I agree - please do not use a product like Outlook to manage your lists. It really does become to cumbersome to manage bounced, unsubscribes, subscribes, etc. as your lists become bigger.

We use Broadc@st http://www.mailworkz.com which is a product we developed. But at the risk of being self-promoting take a look at Gammadyne as well. They are a worthy competitor http://www.gammadyne.com

A perfect post Karen - when you're not afraid of the competition -- it speaks miles about your product.

Also good to see a fellow Nova Scotian here!

#15 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WebCraft

Carju,

As I have tested so many newsletter systems, i found one that is 100% FREE and is completely customizable. In addition you can create as many newsletter topics, and contain as many subscribers as you feel you need.
The program is called MOJO Mail. It is Perl, and very powerful.
" Mojo Mail is an intuitive, web-based e-mail list management system, which runs on any hosting account that can execute custom CGI scripts.

The web site where you can get the program is: http://mojo.skazat.com/

I have it in use with 30 varieties of different newsletters on my site: http://nswebcraft.com/

It enables you to send, straight text, html or web pages with ease.
I hope that this will help.

Hi I am having trouble with the Mojo config.pm variables, how did you get around this? Did you already have a database for your lists?

Mardi

vshields · #16 (**permalink**) 07-30-2003, 05:53 PM

yes, go with constant contact. I use it for all of my campaigns (I have several clients) and it works wonderfully.

TranscendMedia · #17 (**permalink**) 07-31-2003, 12:11 PM

Julian,

A good friend of mine started PensaWorks and developed the SPD E-Letter. It's a great solution and I use it for all of my clients sites and they just love it. It's extremely fast and has tons of advanced features. It works great with lists smaller then 50K subscribers but they also offer custom solutions for larger clients.

Take a look and good luck with your mailing list and web site.

Sincerely,
Gregory Van Horn
Founder & Senior Developer
Transcend Media Interactive Development & Marketing Group

WebCraft · #18 (**permalink**) 08-05-2003, 10:30 AM

Soul,

Quote:

Hi I am having trouble with the Mojo config.pm variables, how did you get around this? Did you already have a database for your lists?

There are only 5 variables to change in the Config.pm file. Based on what variable you are havng trouble with, there really is not much to it.

1- Which variable?
2- did you chmod the file to 777?

Once you check into those, you should be all set. If you are stil having trouble, finnd the root path to your mail prog. If you use the command line prompt. try this command: %which sendmail

If you have more problems, let me know.
Once it is configured, then you will be all set to create your own lists etc.

amcknight · #19 (**permalink**) 08-05-2003, 07:45 PM

Hello,

Whilst at present we only support English at MarketingPal.com, we are setting up custom opt-in and unsubscribe pages in various languages over the coming month. If you have any specific language requests please let me know.

We have a Bronze account which you can try to see if our service suits.

Regards,

Paulo · #20 (**permalink**) 08-05-2003, 08:14 PM

Just to add to the already overflowing list, Julian;

been using http://www.realtracker.co.uk from http://www.realproductions.co.uk for a few months and 4000 clients.

LauraB · #21 (**permalink**) 08-14-2003, 04:00 PM

Hi Julian,

We use Opt-In Pro Email Marketing Software http://www.myaffiliateprogram.com/optinpro.asp by My Affiliate Program I did not see it mentioned.

I am going to check-out some of the other options mentioned here.[/url]

kplatt · #22 (**permalink**) 08-25-2003, 04:28 PM

Oh what the heck...I'll throw our Mail List Management product into the mix as well. It's called Puppeteer. More information can be found at
http://www.commnav.com/products/puppeteer.php

With this product you can easily query from existing databases and maintain multiple lists. I think that you'll also find that we are very affordable compared to the competitive products that are out there.

Good luck in your search.