Now my forum's starting to grow, I want to add a newsletter system to the site. I've never touched anything like this before, and was wondering what the options are?
I really like the one that's sent out of here, but I'm guessing that's not out-of-the-box. I'm also wondering what the etiquette is regards emailing my members - should I automatically sign them up for the newsletter?
Any tips and advice on doing newsletters with you vBulletin forum appreciated - I can't find much on it elsewhere (unless I'm not searching hard enough :D)
Peggy 06-23-2006, 06:15 AM Dio, I send out newsletters to my members, but I don't use the one that's used here. I prefer a much more personal touch. Therefore I write the newsletter up myself, and invite members to submit articles, jokes, cartoons they find around the internet, I do an interview with one member, and of course add in all the site's news as well.
Also, I do send to ALL the members, with an opt out option. So far, noone's used it. In fact, I get quite a few emails thanking me for making the newsletter so personal and fun. ;)
Thanks. :) What do you use, do you send them via the control panel or generate a list and do it via another programme, site or something? Do you notice a hit when you send them out?
Joeychgo 06-23-2006, 09:47 AM I modify the Commbull slightly so that my personal messages can be sent. Best of Both Worlds.
Peggy 06-23-2006, 10:36 AM Thanks. :) What do you use, do you send them via the control panel or generate a list and do it via another programme, site or something? Do you notice a hit when you send them out?
I create the newletter in Word, that way I can use graphics to decorate it... I have a nice header and stationery background. As things come in during the month I can quickly add to it. As for the mailing list, I have one generated in my host email account. I have it set in cPanel so that every time a new member registers, they are automatically added to the mailing list.
Then on the first of the month, I attach the newsletter to the email and click SEND. It's really not that much work.
It's been suggested to me tho, and I just may implement it down the road, to do the newsletter on a webpage.... html... and just email a reminder to my members with a link to the newsletter url. It's a possibility, as I love doing webpages.
FLMom 07-04-2006, 09:19 PM Peggy, that is what we did this past month with our newsletter and everyone seems to enjoy it so much more! We tried sending a self made newsletter, but it seems to get all jumbled in the system somehow. I wanted to use the Commbull, but I thought it was removed due to security problems?
Peggy 07-04-2006, 09:21 PM Nope, Commbull is still ok. That's what this site uses. I just prefer to do my own, it's more personal.
You're right about the members liking it much more. My members are all the time sending us a joke, cartoon, article, etc to go in the newsletter. Gets them involved and they feel good about that.
Noppid 07-04-2006, 09:34 PM Commbull has thread selection issues that to some would be a security issue. Nothing that will give away the farm or crash the system though that I am aware of.
It's old code and fell way behind.
FLMom 07-05-2006, 08:46 AM So if I choose to install it, things should be okay? I just don't want to get hacked or something...not sure if that could happen anyway lol But as a noob to all of this, the words "security issue" still freak me out LOL
Noppid 07-05-2006, 09:22 AM Well, they should. But it may mean less or more to certain individuals in this case.
We use it here and on a few other forums. Make sure you have the commbull_3.5e.zip file though.
FLMom 07-05-2006, 12:08 PM Thank you! I will do that :D
I still might just decide to do it a different way, but having a backup is always good hehe
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