Links in newsletter

[eJM]

The newsletter shouldn't contain links to administrative forums:

-- Threads posted most recently --
Infraction for QQQ1: Spammed Advertisements (http://www.vbulletin-faq.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13287)
Post: Question how to do this...? ...

Infraction for newtech2008: Spammed Advertisements (http://www.vbulletin-faq.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13284)
Post: Question Removing Drop Down Menu Arrow? ...

Etcetera.

Maybe some configuration of the options?

Jim

[goldendox]

just got mine in my email for the first time. is this a hack, and if so, can you share it? what a great way to increase traffic. my board has been too quiet since the summer months. thank you.

[Peggy]

Joey will take care of this. Thanks for bringing it to our attention Jim.
gd, I believe it is a hack. I don't use it, so Joey will know where to find it.

[Fireproof]

I need a good newsletter solution as well. :(

[Peggy]

I do it the easy way. I use Webtemplates mod at vb.org, do my newsletter on my site, and email/pm a reminder that the new newsletter is ready.
My members prefer it to an email newsletter.

[Fireproof]

Good idea. I have webtemplates, but am no good at creating nice layouts. Is there any way for you to share your layout with me somehow (kind of like he has some pre-built templates in there when you install the mod)?

[Peggy]

Fire, I use the 2 column template, and replaced the contents with links to different areas of the site. The right (larger) column is my newsletter content. Of course it already has the sites' style, so it's coordinated visually. I designed a graphical title for the newsletter, keeping it simple, seeing as how the site header is above it.

The rest of the newsletter is html content, using an html editor. I'd show it to you, but it's offline this week for editing.


psssssssttt... it's in the running for motm at vb.org. I hope it wins.

[Fireproof]

I would love at least a screenshot to give me some ideas - it sounds like just something I'd like to do.

So whenever appropriate, please share. And I'll have to go place a vote - I haven't done any voting yet. :)

[Peggy]

ok give me a little bit and I'll post a screen shot.

[goldendox]

{panting} Joey, I am drooling for the newsletter you use. My board is languishing. It needs a firecracker under its little butt. I think this nl is just the thing!

[Peggy]

I would love at least a screenshot to give me some ideas - it sounds like just something I'd like to do.

So whenever appropriate, please share. And I'll have to go place a vote - I haven't done any voting yet. :)

ACK! When I upgraded the mod this a couple of weeks ago, I inadvertently wiped out a couple of my custom templates... my newsletter being one of them, lol.

Anyway, here is what the sample two-cloumn template looks like. I completely re-did the left column, replacing stats with links to areas of interest in the forum. (see attachment)

The right column is, of course, the newsletter area. If you know html/xhtml, you can do just about anything you want with this.

The mod comes with a few pre-configured templates, all editable to your liking -
new member info
forum rules
privacy statement

You should check it out!

[Fireproof]

Awesome - thanks. I'll play around with it. :)

[Dave A]

I just add a custom page using vBA and use the two column format. I've stopped emailing my newsletters out too - fighting with spam filters to get perfectly legitimate bulk mails through is just such a PITA.

In a funny way, my announcement that I wasn't going to email newsletters anymore worked. Unique visitors to the site has climbed dramatically as they can't rely on getting a summary of highlights any more.

[Fireproof]

I just add a custom page using vBA and use the two column format. I've stopped emailing my newsletters out too - fighting with spam filters to get perfectly legitimate bulk mails through is just such a PITA.


Yeah - I was thinking about the spam issues myself as well. I keep going back and forth on the idea of an emailed newsletter. I'm now leaning towards something like your idea.

Do you have a link to your "newsletter" page, so I can see what it looks like?



In a funny way, my announcement that I wasn't going to email newsletters anymore worked. Unique visitors to the site has climbed dramatically as they can't rely on getting a summary of highlights any more.

Now that's interesting indeed! Another of my concerns as well (as is using RSS feeds where people can keep up with new posts without visiting the forum). That's cool that you've seen a spike in activity/visits. Good stuff.

[Chris]

Hmmmmmmmmmm.. That would be a great idea for a new hack. A simple newsletter hack. Not one that emails out but one that is built to match your forum.

[Fireproof]

Hmmmmmmmmmm.. That would be a great idea for a new hack. A simple newsletter hack. Not one that emails out but one that is built to match your forum.

Yes, indeed. I would love one that was built with configurable "modules", kind of like a scaled down / simplified VBAdvanced. Just a handful of modules that make sense for a newsletter (latest threads, most popular/active threads, newest members, whatever), and then some pre-configured layouts to choose from. There should also be room to add some free-form text, kind of like a blog-post or something...

You customize it a bit, save it, then set whatever frequency you want it to "update" and it creates a new version, labeling it as the next week or month or whatever.

And it would be cool if there were a feature to alert your members that the new newsletter is published and ready for viewing, via PM or something.

[Hell³]

If someone is bent on having an email newsletter product fully integrated with vBulletin, you could buy the Geek Gazette (GAZ) (http://www.thevbgeek.com/geekmart.php?do=displayproduct&id=5)

The options Pegs and Dave have posted are quite nice too, though.

[Dave A]

My latest newsletter with perspective as the theme (http://www.theforumsa.co.za/index.php?page=issue20-perspective).

[Peggy]

Yes, indeed. I would love one that was built with configurable "modules", kind of like a scaled down / simplified VBAdvanced. Just a handful of modules that make sense for a newsletter (latest threads, most popular/active threads, newest members, whatever), and then some pre-configured layouts to choose from. There should also be room to add some free-form text, kind of like a blog-post or something...

You customize it a bit, save it, then set whatever frequency you want it to "update" and it creates a new version, labeling it as the next week or month or whatever.

And it would be cool if there were a feature to alert your members that the new newsletter is published and ready for viewing, via PM or something.lol I think that goes beyond the simple newsletter hack he's thinking about coding. :yes:



My latest newsletter with perspective as the theme (http://www.theforumsa.co.za/index.php?page=issue20-perspective).
That looks great Dave!
Ok y'all have shamed me into rebuilding my newsletter.



If someone is bent on having an email newsletter product fully integrated with vBulletin, you could buy the Geek Gazette (GAZ) (http://www.thevbgeek.com/geekmart.php?do=displayproduct&id=5)

The options Pegs and Dave have posted are quite nice too, though.ahh I wasn't sure if this was still available or not.