RSS Linked Mailing Lists: Reach Out In Style

Posted by Madhavi on Feb 2, 2011 in Web Writing | 4 comments

Mailing Lists often receive a bad rep because of the way many are misused to spam users with unnecessary and unrequired e-mails, clogging up their Inbox. However, when done right, a Mailing List is one of the best tools that you can use to connect with readers of your blog.

The best way to get the most out of your mailing list is by combining it with your blog. There are several services which combine the RSS feed of your blog and convert it into an e-mail that can be sent to your clients and readers.

Lets have a look at some of 3 different RSS to E-Mail converters and how you can leverage your WordPress website’s blog to reach out and keep in touch with customers and readers.

But First, The Basics

Before we go ahead, lets have a look at some basic things so we all are on the same page.

What is a Mailing List?

A mailing list is a list of names and addresses (and in this context, e-mail addresses) where you send materials such as advertising matter, information or a magazine on a regular basis.

So, this could be a list of names and e-mail addresses of your past, current and potential clients and customers.

What is an RSS Feed?

An RSS Feed is essentially the content of your website’s blog. It is converted into a format that is easier to read using Feed Readers or RSS Readers. (For Example: Google Reader, Net News Wire.) With a Feed Reader, you can easily add links to feeds of blogs that you read on a regular basis, and they get updated with the latest blog posts – so you have the latest blog posts every time you open your RSS Reader.

Further Reading: What is RSS?

So, What is A RSS Linked Mailing List Campaign?

Quite simply, this means that you link the RSS Feed of your blog with your Mailing List campaign.

So, every time you update a post to your blog, all the people in your mailing list will receive an e-mail with the latest article.

Naturally, you can configure the frequency of the e-mails with your Mailing List Campaign provider. For example, you can set it up so that you send out e-mails when you update 2 articles or 4, or you can set it up so that your e-mails go out every week or every 2 weeks or every month.

Fantastic! So, How Do I Get In On That?

Now that we’re clear on the basics, lets look at 3 such Mailing List campaign providers.

Google FeedBurner

Google’s FeedBurner is one of the most commonly used all-in-one RSS solutions. It also doubles up as a stats tracker for your feeds, which is very interesting as well.

When you set up your blog with Google FeedBurner, you are given a link for your RSS Feed. And if you set it up, you are also given a link for an e-mail feed.

This way, those of your readers who prefer to read your latest articles and blog posts as e-mails can go for the e-mail option. All they have to do is sign up – and the entire process is controlled and managed by Google FeedBurner – making your life that much simpler.

However, there is a downside to this story too. While FeedBurner does give you a nice code for the subscription form that you can put on your site, you cannot configure much about the way your e-mail looks when it does get sent out. At the most, you can configure the fonts and colors – but nothing else can be added to the content of the e-mail.

Again, this is a pretty basic service – and can suit many among us who want just that. If you are starting out, then I would heartily suggest using this service to get your feet wet.

MailChimp

MailChimp is one of those easy services that comes by and makes you smile while you are out there, trying to figure it out. Their website does have a cute little monkey coming up and offering you bananas and what-not to distract you. Although, their site is in for an overhaul, and many nice changes are in the offing.

If you are handy with some HTML and CSS and are willing to scratch your head and learn their MERGE TAGS, then this is the site for you! Free for up to 1000 2000 e-mail subscribers, this site offers many options for customization along with some brilliantly pre-designed e-mail templates. You can also gain a lot of knowledge with helpful tips and hints from their free MailChimp Guides and free web-based training sessions.

Also, you aren’t just limited to the RSS Feeds for sending out e-mailers to your subscribers. You can send out special messages and updates to them as well!

MailChimp is a beautiful set up if you want more customized e-mails and are into a bit of basic code-fu.

AWeber

This one has a variety of easy-on-the-pocket paid plans that you can use to combine your RSS Feed with your e-mail mailing list. And like MailChimp, you can also send out special message and update e-mailers as well.

AWeber also has its own tags system and e-mail templates that you can customize and create the look and feel that you want for your e-mails. Plus, you can subscribe to their blog (which is full of interesting and helpful ideas, and of course, latest updates), and also attend their free web based training sessions.

Where AWeber shines is in their customized (and really stunning) designs for the subscribe forms. AWeber also has a WordPress Plugin which makes life even simpler if you are fond of customizing your form all the time and aren’t that keen on copy-pasting code.

You can sign up for AWeber and try them out for a month for just $1.

In Conclusion…

Mailing Lists can be real easy to set-up and manage. And if done correctly can easily be a very brilliant way to keep your clients and readers informed and updated with all your latest news, updates and knowledge.

Do you have a mailing list already set up? Which service are you using and why? What made you decide and go for that service? Lets talk in the comments section below.

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