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Ask HN: Which mailing list program or service?

1 points by gaiusparx 16y ago

Any recommendation for a mailing list management software or hosted service? Thanks

RDDavies 16y ago
I manage my own stuff, works better than any hosted solution I've ever dealt with, and ensures maximum compatibility with various email clients.
- mgkimsal 16y ago
  "ensures maximum compatibility with various email clients" Are you sure? Are you testing deliverability and open rates? Are you following the various idiosyncrasies which major mail hosts display (yahoo rate limiting, etc)? Do you follow strong anti-spam measures, and check your system for security holes often? Not saying you don't but there's more to a hosted mailing solution than just the mailing. I'm not sure most people are able to put in as much time in to providing tried/true templates which work across a variety of clients unless they're working for one of the larger mailing list companies. That said, I still do most of my own mailings, but I knowingly make the tradeoff. @gaiusparx - mailchimp, madmimi, icontact and bronto are some of the bigger ones friends of mine use, and they all have generally good things to say about each one. I know some of the folks at icontact and bronto and can attest that they're both security-minded, customer-focused and basically 'on the ball' folks overall.
  - RDDavies 16y ago
    Yes. I do. It isn't QUITE as much effort as you'd think....especially once you've nailed a "system" down.
    - mgkimsal 16y ago
      To do it 'right' is more effort than most people can expend. Being someone who also is a 'DIY' approach, I don't disbelieve you, but I often realize just how much I have to know to do things right, and how much value some of the other services provide for the less technically-inclined.
      - RDDavies 16y ago
        Sure, if it's a one-person shop, I agree (to some extent). Really, the big issue is developing a reusable content template, testing that single template extensively, then you can put a much lower amount of effort as time goes by.

1 points by gaiusparx 16y ago

Any recommendation for a mailing list management software or hosted service? Thanks

I manage my own stuff, works better than any hosted solution I've ever dealt with, and ensures maximum compatibility with various email clients.

mgkimsal 16y ago
"ensures maximum compatibility with various email clients" Are you sure? Are you testing deliverability and open rates? Are you following the various idiosyncrasies which major mail hosts display (yahoo rate limiting, etc)? Do you follow strong anti-spam measures, and check your system for security holes often? Not saying you don't but there's more to a hosted mailing solution than just the mailing. I'm not sure most people are able to put in as much time in to providing tried/true templates which work across a variety of clients unless they're working for one of the larger mailing list companies. That said, I still do most of my own mailings, but I knowingly make the tradeoff. @gaiusparx - mailchimp, madmimi, icontact and bronto are some of the bigger ones friends of mine use, and they all have generally good things to say about each one. I know some of the folks at icontact and bronto and can attest that they're both security-minded, customer-focused and basically 'on the ball' folks overall.
- RDDavies 16y ago
  Yes. I do. It isn't QUITE as much effort as you'd think....especially once you've nailed a "system" down.
  - mgkimsal 16y ago
    To do it 'right' is more effort than most people can expend. Being someone who also is a 'DIY' approach, I don't disbelieve you, but I often realize just how much I have to know to do things right, and how much value some of the other services provide for the less technically-inclined.
    - RDDavies 16y ago
      Sure, if it's a one-person shop, I agree (to some extent). Really, the big issue is developing a reusable content template, testing that single template extensively, then you can put a much lower amount of effort as time goes by.