21 Questions to Ask Any List Service Before You Sign on With Them

If you publish an e-mail newsletter, or "e-zine," you'll need to sign on with a list service (or "listserve") to manage your subscriber list. There are many types of listserves out there, so here are some guidelines to help you choose one that's right for you.

  • Do they use MULTI-PART MIME technology?

    You'll need this if you want to publish an HTML newsletter. Otherwise you'll have to send out multiple versions for users who can read HTML, users who can't read HTML, and users on AOL.


  • Do they offer some type of ORIENTATION OR TUTORIAL?

    If you're new to the game and/or technologically challenged then you'll appreciate any type of help they offer for new clients.


  • What's their CUSTOMER SERVICE like?

    Are they prompt to get back to you via e-mail? Can you call them if you have a problem? Are they available more than standard business hours? What about weekends? Contact them and see how long they take to get back to you -- if it's longer than 24 hours, definitely keep looking.


  • Do they NOTIFY list owners if there's a PROBLEM with their service?

    If so, how, and how quickly?


  • Do they have CUSTOMER TESTIMONIALS to share with you?

    Or even better, client references? Contact some of these folks to see how their experiences have been.


  • Do other BUSINESSES LIKE YOURS use their service?

    If most of their clients are large corporations, small businesses like yours may not get the attention they deserve.


  • Is their interface EASY TO USE?

    Meaning is it easy for you to setup and launch each issue of your e-zine. They should offer a demo or let you access the 'mission control' area that you'll be using to test it out.


  • Can you MANUALLY ADD AND REMOVE people to and from your list if you want to?

    Sometimes you'll need to do this, so you'll want the answer to be "yes" -- especially if you're moving over a list you've already collected.


  • Can you access SUBSCRIBER REPORTS?

    How and how often? You'll want to know on a regular basis how many subscribes and unsubscribes you've had since the last issue.


  • What appears in the "FROM" field when subscribers get your e-zine?

    You want it to be YOUR name if possible. Some spam filters screen out e-mail that does not appear to come from an individual person.


  • What appears in the "TO" field when a subscriber gets your e-zine?

    You want it to be the person's name if possible. Along the same lines, some spam filters screen out e-mail that does not appear to be addressed to the individual person.


  • Who has ACCESS to their servers and your list?

    Anytime you hand over your customer list, you're taking a risk. You don't want your service or anyone else using your list for spamming purposes.


  • What happens if some addresses are UNDELIVERABLE?

    These are also called "bounces" or "bounce-backs." You don't want them to automatically remove names for "soft bounces," which are due to temporary conditions like full mailboxes.


  • How do users SUBSCRIBE AND UNSUBSCRIBE?

    Do they have to visit a Web page or can they do it via e-mail (best if both options are available). Is the process single or double opt-in? (Double is better for more security - the user has to respond to a confirmation e-mail before she's added to your list.) Is the process kept simple?


  • Can you customize your LIST SERVER DOCUMENTS?

    This means messages like your subscriber welcome and goodbye messages. (You'll definitely want to be able to do this, since the prewritten messages many list services use are horribly cold and confusing.)


  • Can your e-zine give PERSONALIZED GREETINGS AND MESSAGES?

    Not necessary, but a very nice feature. For example, if your e-zine came to me, it would start off with something like, "Hello Alexandria!"


  • How often do they BACK UP their servers?

    It should be at least once every day. Also ask if you can download your lists to back them up on your own, as a backup to their backup!


  • Can you send a TEST MESSAGE out to yourself or another person before you send out each issue for real?

    You'll definitely want this because it's the best way to see how your e-zine looks on the recipient's end, do a proofread, and check all your hyperlinks.


  • Can you see stats on your CLICK-THROUGH rates?

    If you publish in HTML, you should be able to see how many people - and even exactly who - opens your messages.


  • Can they AUTOMATICALLY ARCHIVE your issues if you'd like them to?

    Some services will archive your e-zines at their site, others can configure it so they're archived at your own site (which is better).


  • Are they currently BLOCKED anywhere on the Web?

    If so, it may mean they've been reported for allowing spammers to use their network. You don't want to work with any list service that's been blocked anywhere, because it means that your e-zine won't reach all of your readers.

    • (c) 2002 Alexandria K. Brown

    ABOUT THE AUTHOR

    Alexandria K. Brown, "The E-zine Queen," is author of the award-winning manual, "Boost Business With Your Own E-zine." To learn more about her book and sign up for more FREE tips like these, visit her site at http://EzineQueenTutorial.com/

    In The News:

    The Ezine Queen's 7 Reasons to Grow Your Business with Ezines ...
    Gather.com, MA - Dec 27, 2008
    As one of the leading authorities on email publishing, she is a proud advocate of using the ezine to drive sales. According to Alexandria, offering a free ...

    Top 3 Ways To Boost Your Affiliate Commissions Overnight
    Gather.com, MA - Jan 3, 2009
    Publish an online newsletter or Ezine. It is always best to recommend a product to someone you know than to sell to a stranger. This is the purpose behind ...

    ATTENTION TO THOSE CLAIMING SPAM!!!!!!!!
    CrunchGear, NY - Jan 6, 2009
    If I can post to a site like Ezine Articles and gain and expert status with them, and they generally don’t have a problem with my short articles, ...

    PR Web (press release)
    New Book Features Emerging Trends for Online Businesses ...
    PR Web (press release), WA - Dec 30, 2008
    She publishes a monthly ezine & offers a free Copywriting Action Plan. Visit http://www.LisaManyon.com for more information.

    Tracking Your Article Submissions a Way to Maximize Your Traffic ...
    PWO, France - Dec 20, 2008
    ... all the republishing and traffic you will get from article publishing. Among a couple of the top directories psychology online course is eZine Articles, ...
    ezine publishing - Google News


    PARLOT.COM: Turnkey Money Making websites

    How to Build Your List ? 7 Powerful Strategies

    If you have been an internet marketer, or had any... Read More

    3 Money-Making Reasons for Displaying Your Newsletters on Your Website

    Seeing is believing. Unless your website visitors can experience your... Read More

    Email Newsletters: Privacy and Unsubscribing

    As you likely know from personal experience, the value of... Read More

    The Sure-Fire Ways To Increase Your E-zines Readership!

    You Have Won! Hold an ongoing prize drawing... Read More

    Why Self-Publish Your Book?

    When I meet an author with a great book concept,... Read More

    Three Breathing Techniques For Any Ezine Article

    I subscribed myself to many ezines. I'd love to read... Read More

    Finding the GOLD with Ezines and Google!

    HiHow'd you go with your product search?Here's another way to... Read More

    Top 3 Steps to Success Building the Relationships

    Marketing is a broad business subject that encompasses a range... Read More

    Putting the YOU in Your E-zine

    I get many e-zines in my inbox every week, and... Read More

    Email Newsletters: The Header

    Managing Subscriber addresses: At the top of your email message... Read More

    OK People - Lets Get Real!

    It's all about numbers - or so some ezine publishers... Read More

    Your First Newsletter: 5 Sure-Fire Ways to Annoy People

    I read a lot of newsletters. Some are great and... Read More

    Email Newsletter Format: HTML or Text

    An email newsletter is probably the most effective way to... Read More

    7 Benefits Of Using Newsletter Templates

    1. Time saver. To get going make a quick visit... Read More

    Need Ezine Content - Think Holidays

    Publishing an ezine certainly has its benefits and rewards, but... Read More

    Managing Internet Addresses in Your Email Newsletter

    Web and email addresses pose a special challenge for writers... Read More

    Does Your Subject Line Do the Job?

    It's proven that the FROM field of your emails is... Read More

    7 Power Packed Tips To Increase Your Ezine Publishing Success

    1. Use autoresponders to publish and promote your ezine.Autoresponders with... Read More

    Are Your E-Mails Bouncing? Hard Bounces, Soft Bounces, and Everything in Between

    Are you doing "the bounce"? No, it's not a new... Read More

    How To Develope Content For Your Ezine Without Having To Write Your Own Articles

    Do you struggle with creating content for your ezine? You... Read More

    How to turn your Newsletter into a Web Page...in 45 seconds!

    Do you place back-issues of your Newsletter onyour website?There are... Read More

    10 Benefits Of Submitting Articles To Ezines

    1. You'll brand your web site, business and yourself by... Read More

    PublishAmerica - Publishing Parasites

    I have to admit to being readily impressed by company... Read More

    The Number One Tried and Tested Method For Exploding Your Ezine Subscriptions

    We all know how cagey and stubborn prospects can be... Read More

    Employee Newsletter Ideas - 7 Creative Ideas for Your Employee Newsletter

    Employee newsletters are an effective tool to communicate with your... Read More