How to Create an Online Mailing List

An online mailing list is a group of entries listing the email addresses and names of people you want to contact. You can use the list for either personal or business reasons---ecommerce websites commonly use online mailing lists to push products. Once you create your online mailing list, the next step is up to you. You can start creating and sending messages to the list members immediately, or take some time to keep adding names to the list.

Things You'll Need

• Online email newsletter or list management service

Instructions

1. Sign up for an online account with an email newsletter or email list manager service. There are several popular options, including Constant Contact, iContact, MailChimp and Benchmark Email. Some offer a free trial so that you can get familiar with the service.

2. Choose the option to "Create a New List" or similar depending on the service you choose. You can create as many separate lists as you want, targeted for different groups of people. For instance, if you sell products online, one list can be for customers who have already ordered from you while others is reserved for people who seem interested but have not yet placed an order.

3. Upload any current email addresses you have on file to the new online list. You usually have to convert the list to either a plain text file (TXT) or a common separated value file (CSV). Some services also give you the option to simply type or copy and paste the email addresses into a message box for submission.

4. Choose the option to create a "Join" or similarly named icon for your website. This creates a small fillable box for your website that allows visitors to sign up for your list. Each subscriber's email address will automatically appear on the list you created in step two. Follow the service's short wizard, where you're ask to make selections regarding the look and feel of your "Join" box. Paste the code into the body of your HTML documents for each page of your website.

5. Add new email addresses for customers who request information about your products and services directly to your online account periodically.

Tips & Warnings

• Honor all opt-out requests within 10 days to avoid violating the CAN-SPAM (Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act of 2003) law.

• Allow time for your list to develop. If you're providing a useful service, information or product, chances are your online mailing list will grow.

References

• FTC: Top Etailer Compliance With CAN-SPAM's Opt-Out Provisions