Putting a simple mailing collection on your website need not be that complicated. In fact, there are several very easy ways to do this and to then be sure that you are getting the best from your efforts. There are several steps to take to make certain 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! A few 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 collection. 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 only issue is the bulk sending of emails might offend your ISP.

Therefore, the next best solution is a free mailing list provider. For this I use ymlp.com and sign up for their free service once the trial period is over. This is a good one to use, even though there are loads of alternatives. Again this is straightforward to install. You only tell them what fields you want to collect (as for instance name and email) and they give you the html for the form. Copy and paste that into a suitable page on your site 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 blog copy and paste in the mailing collection form and this way every visitor gets to see the opportunity to join. But, will they be convinced? Maybe not, so you also need a clear link to a page round the newsletter.

On this page repeat the sign up form and talk a little around the newsletter. Probably 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 lots of spam.

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

So, to put a mailing list on your weblog, 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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