Newsletter Manager Plugin For WordPress

Notice: Docs in need of an update

The newsletter manager plugin for WordPress lets you easily integrate a third party newsletter manager to your site:

Default Usage

To use this plugin, you will need a mailing list manager that can service subscription requests via either of:

• list-subscribe@domain.com
• list@domain.com

Such managers include ezmlm, Mailman and Majordomo. Your host typically installs one of these by default. It also includes popular commercial tools, such as aWeber.

Assuming you are using a widget enabled theme such as the Semiologic theme, activate the plugin and add the Newsletter widget to one of your sidebars, under Presentation / Sidebar Widgets.

You can configure your newsletter either by clicking the widget's options button.

Advanced Usage

Inline Subscription Form

At times, you'll want to insert a subscription form in a squeeze page. The newsletter manager also lets you do this, by inserting the following tag:

<!--newsletter-->

A button will do this for you if you're using the Semiologic wysiwyg editor.

Adding A Subscription Form After Each Form

Place the following template tag anywhere within the loop:

<?php the_subscribe_form(); ?>

If you are using the Semiologic theme, the recommended way to customize your loop is to use its custom.php feature. Create a custom.php file with the following code in it:

<?php
add_action(
  'display_entry_meta',
  'the_subscribe_form',
  12);
?>

… drop it into your theme folder, i.e.:

wp-content/themes/semiologic/custom.php

… and you'll no longer need to worry about losing your changes when you update.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should I Use A 3rd-Party Mailing List Manager Rather Than A WordPress Plugin?

Because php-based mailing lists translate to unreliability.

On paper, you can create a proper mailing list manager with php, and some do. In practice, key problems include:

• The php script is terminated by Apache (e.g. maximum execution time reached) before the email is sent to your entire list.
• The php script makes your site unavailable as a result of bulk sending emails (e.g. it consumes all of the available bandwidth).
• Your host notices the script because it hogs resources, identifies it as a spam script, and shuts down your account.
• Some recipients never receive your emails, because they're using an ISP (e.g., AOL) that marks any email sent by Apache's built-in mail function as spam.

Why Should I Use Hosted Commercial Software To Run My Mailing List?

There is a very strong case for using commercial software such as aweber rather than something you host yourself.

Bonus features such as stats and autoresponders are arguably worth mentionning, but the key reason, once again, has everything to do with reliability.

Some recipients mark your emails as spam in spite of subscription confirmation procedures. Typically, this will occur because a genuine subscriber decides it is easier to unsubscribe by filtering you as spam than it it to follow the instructions that you include in each of your emails. Upon getting marked as a spam, your server's IP is put on a RBL (real black list). RBLs are used by anti-spam filters around the world. Your list goes downhill from there.

It's a nightmare to be removed from a RBL. It takes time, resources, more time, more resources. When you use a hosted commercial software such as aweber, someone worries about this for you.

How Should I Configure My Mailing List?

If you decide to use a free tool such as ezmlm, Mailman or Majordomo, you'll typically want to configure your list as follows:

• Message moderation should be turned on (do not forget to add yourself to the moderators).
• Posts from addresses other than moderators should be rejected.
• Administrative requests should be serviced (the plugin won't work if you disable this).

Can You Install My Mailing List?

Of course. Please send the pertaining details to sales @ semiologic.com. You'll be charged by the time spent on it — a $100 budget would be typical.

Can I Get The Plugin Without Buying The Semiologic Pro Package?

Nope, sorry.

HELP ME!!!

The Semiologic community forum is the best place to seek support.

Please note, however, that while community members and I do our best to answer all queries, we're assisting you on a voluntary basis.

If you require more dedicated assistance, either hire me or one of the virtual assistants.

Update Notifications

Version checker is the best way to get update notifications. You'll receive them within your Plugins screen directly. You can additionally subscribe to the Semiologic blog or to the Semiologic newsletter.

I usually stick to announcing Semiologic Pro updates in the newsletter. Software from this site invariably gets updated at the same time. I sometimes also organize a webinar on what's new around the same date.

Minimum Requirements

• WordPress 2.0
• The usual server requirements

Newsletter Manager is a Premium plugin for Semiologic Pro.