Checklist before importing subscribers

You're about to import subscribers? Find your scenario below.

1. I'm using a list from my other website

Although your sites might be similar, your other website's subscribers didn't ask to receive emails from your new site. Our recommendation: don't import.

Possible consequences: you run a good chance of being marked as spam. Or worst, blocked entirely from Internet Service Providers.

Solution: send a newsletter to your other site's subscribers and invite them to join your new list. Link to a subscription form on a page of your site!

2. I'm importing another department's list

It's tempting to use your company's other list for your own project. We know, we've been there. Our recommendation: don't import.

Possible consequences: you run a good chance of being marked as spam. Or worst: blocked entirely from Internet Service Providers.

Solution: ask the other department to invite their subscribers to join your new newsletter's list. Link to a subscription form on a page of your site!

3. I have an old list...

You can use the list if your list is not over 2 years old and if your list was used for the same website.

Possible consequences: addresses that don't exist anymore will bounce. If Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail or any other receiving server notices this, they might block you. Getting unblocked is very difficult.

Solution: send your newsletters to only 100 or 200 emails. If the bounce rate is under 5%, you can send to all.

Alternatively, use services like  BriteVerify or DataValidation to clean your lists.

4. I bought a list...

Bad idea! You'll get lots of spam complaints (since they didn't opt-in to hear from you specifically) plus low open rates and high bounce rates. Is it really worth it?

Possible consequences: addresses that don't exist anymore will bounce. If Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail or any other receiving server notices this, they'll probably send you to junk and might block you.

Solution: use services like BriteVerify (our preferred) or DataValidation to clean your list, then send them a personal email with a link to a subscription form on a page of your site asking them to sign up.

5. My personal address book

This is not a good idea.

Solution: we recommend that you send a personal email to your personal contacts with a link to a page where they can subscribe.

6. Collected business cards

If you don't clearly say to those who give you their business cards that they'll join your mailing list, consider yourself a spammer!

Solution: send them a personal email with a link to a subscription form on a page of your site.

7. I'm switching to MailPoet from another emailing solution

Go ahead. You should be good.