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[Marius Lombaard Company: Amway Contribution Level: 3]

Most of you who have blogs probably have some autoresponder script in a sidebar widget to build a mailing list for your newsletter.

In my case, i offer a downloadable freebie once people register and login on my site. So all these people are captured, but not through an autoresponder.

I used a plugin to modify my signup process to my liking, but now i have a problem: what is the best way to integrate this list of people that reside on my wordpress database, with an autoresponder? In other words, what’s the best way to have them synchronized? Is there a simple way for me to capture everyone who registers on my site on my autoresponder list in one shot?

How would the single/double optin process work in my scenario? When would the autoresponder’s rules override the registration plugin’s rules?

Regards,

Marius

[Daryl Lozupone Company: Amway Contribution Level: 2]

Which autoresponder service do you use? There already exist some plugins for wordpress that handle this, depending upon which service you use.

[Marius Lombaard Company: Amway Contribution Level: 3]

i intend to use iContact because i've worked with them in the past.

i use the "Register Plus Redux" plugin to manage WP memberships.

[Kerry Thomas Contribution Level: 2]

Most of you who have blogs probably have some autoresponder script in a sidebar widget to build a mailing list for your newsletter.

In my case, i offer a downloadable freebie once people register and login on my site. So all these people are captured, but not through an autoresponder.

I used a plugin to modify my signup process to my liking, but now i have a problem: what is the best way to integrate this list of people that reside on my wordpress database, with an autoresponder? In other words, what’s the best way to have them synchronized? Is there a simple way for me to capture everyone who registers on my site on my autoresponder list in one shot?

How would the single/double optin process work in my scenario? When would the autoresponder’s rules override the registration plugin’s rules?

Regards,

Marius

Hello Marius, I don't think you will be able to find a plugin that will do what you are requesting. You are most likely going to need a custom script programmed to accomplish this task. You will have lots of issues to address to make this work.

One simple possibility would be to just place the Icontact signup form in the members area and then let them sign up there if they want a newsletter. I know this is not exactly what you are looking for but it will definitely be the simplest and least expensive to implement. Kerry

[Daryl Lozupone Company: Amway Contribution Level: 2]

Marius--

I am not aware of a plugin for iContact. I personally use MailChimp, and they have a plugin ready to go that does what you want. Whenever someone registers as a user on your blog, they are added to your MailChimp list. The plugin is called AutoChimp

That being said, I have programmed using the iContact API before. I would certainly be happy to discuss writing one for you.

[Marius Lombaard Company: Amway Contribution Level: 3]

daryl,

never heard of mailchimp - i'm checking them out as we speak. might not be a bad idea to switch over to them instead.

i'll see how i feel about it after the trial account expires.

thanks!

[Marius Lombaard Company: Amway Contribution Level: 3]

wow, i just installed the plugin after creating a new free account with mailchimp and it works beautifully!

mailchimp is actually pretty awesome! very user friendly, and the free account rocks in spite of the 2000 subscribers and 12'000 emails per month limit!

thanks daryl

[Ben Fitts Company: SendOutCards Contribution Level: 3]

One thing to be aware of...

If you ever change your feed, your users will get all your emails again.

I moved my feed at one point and all my users got like 20 emails for my last 20 blog posts... Needless to say I had a few unsubscribe

[Marius Lombaard Company: Amway Contribution Level: 3]

good thing i'm low tech, so no feeds for me - just plain old html emails...

[Matt Alston Company: Magnetic Sponsoring Contribution Level: 2]

It seems you have found a solution with Mailchimp and auto chimp for you particular needs. I hope that works well for you.

In a more general sense synchronizing databases is a headache so I would advise against having two databases when ever possible. I have worked with large databases and the problem can get out of hand if you are not careful.

As a note if you have a list of any kind and want to upload it to an opt-in system like aweber or icontact it will send out a reconfirm link to each person.

That can be a cute way to show an interest in your client by saying you are cleaning and updating your list and give you a chance to make an offer to the list to get them to subscribe into the new one.

Mailchimp is free for up to 2000 subscribers and that is great beyond that they start to charge you just like aweber and icontact. It is a nice place to get started.