Opt in to a mailing list via a link
December 31, 2015 2:52 AM Subscribe
A good friend runs a business which is very different to mine, but with probably 80% customer overlap. She sends out a very popular e-newsletter once a fortnight. For a long while I've wanted to send an e-newsletter too, and it would be useful if the people on my friend's mailing list could be offered the opportunity to easily join mine.
We obviously don't just want to share the mailing list as that would be unethical. But it would be handy if a link could be included in my friend's next email that when clicked allowed readers to quickly join my new mailing list.
For example Click here if you would like to get fortnightly news from dance.
I know that the (bespoke) mailing list software used by my friend is already capable of hardcoding the email address of the recipient into the email body because it does this for the unsubscribe link, ala click here to unsubscribe.
Any ideas? I guess one way would be to link to a service like a simple php&mysql page which allowed people to enter their email address, maybe mailchimp offer such a signup page already.
The other way, preferable, would be to allow people something so easy as a link which already has their email address encoded and simply passes "permission" to mailchimp to add them to my mailing list.
Many thanks for listening to my ramblings...
We obviously don't just want to share the mailing list as that would be unethical. But it would be handy if a link could be included in my friend's next email that when clicked allowed readers to quickly join my new mailing list.
For example Click here if you would like to get fortnightly news from dance.
I know that the (bespoke) mailing list software used by my friend is already capable of hardcoding the email address of the recipient into the email body because it does this for the unsubscribe link, ala click here to unsubscribe.
Any ideas? I guess one way would be to link to a service like a simple php&mysql page which allowed people to enter their email address, maybe mailchimp offer such a signup page already.
The other way, preferable, would be to allow people something so easy as a link which already has their email address encoded and simply passes "permission" to mailchimp to add them to my mailing list.
Many thanks for listening to my ramblings...
However, most mailing lists will want you to do a double opt in ("click this link to subscribe," get an email, click link in email to *really* subscribe). You definitely, definitely want mailing list software to do this in a convenient, legal way. MailChimp will let you set up one that is free for your first thousand subscribers or so.
posted by instamatic at 5:10 AM on December 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by instamatic at 5:10 AM on December 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Friend can include a paragraph about your newsletter: You may be interested to know about this terrific newsletter about Specific Subject, written by my knowledgeable friend dance. Here's a link if you want to subscribe. Here's a link to some archived newsletters if you want to see some examples. And, yes, double opt-in is the appropriate choice.
posted by theora55 at 7:47 AM on December 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by theora55 at 7:47 AM on December 31, 2015 [1 favorite]
Another option would be if you have some sort of freebie to offer, to induce them to joining the mailing list, or doing a mutual giveaway.
You didn't say what types of businesses, though, so those may not be relevant. Though, on that note, if you don't have some sort of freebie - seriously consider whether there's a way you can offer some sort of one that's related to your business. It's an excellent way to increase mailing list subs.
posted by stormyteal at 3:01 PM on December 31, 2015
You didn't say what types of businesses, though, so those may not be relevant. Though, on that note, if you don't have some sort of freebie - seriously consider whether there's a way you can offer some sort of one that's related to your business. It's an excellent way to increase mailing list subs.
posted by stormyteal at 3:01 PM on December 31, 2015
Have you talked to your friend about using her mailing list to attract people to yours? You might think about how to phrase it that doesn't sound like, "I see you're successful doing this thing. Like you, I would like to have a successful thing. I haven't yet started it, but when I do, I'd like your customers/readers to be my customers/readers too. Will you suggest all of your customers/readers read my as-yet-unpublished thing?"
You might want to start putting your own newsletter out now - and begin the process of publicizing it once it is actually in circulation. That way your friend could have seen some of your newsletters and see what she would be tacitly endorsing by putting an ad for your newsletter in hers.
posted by arnicae at 8:38 AM on January 1, 2016
You might want to start putting your own newsletter out now - and begin the process of publicizing it once it is actually in circulation. That way your friend could have seen some of your newsletters and see what she would be tacitly endorsing by putting an ad for your newsletter in hers.
posted by arnicae at 8:38 AM on January 1, 2016
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posted by Foci for Analysis at 3:38 AM on December 31, 2015 [2 favorites]