A Listserv is an E-mailing list using the dedicated computer program, which differs from email programs’ distribution lists. You can create a topic and distribute information or start a discussion with a list of subscribers. Universities and politicians often use listservs to communicate with many people, but these mailing lists can also be used by people who share common interests.
Subscribers do not need to be Microsoft Outlook users. It works with any email client compatible with SMTP (all of them!). There is even an HTML interface that can be used instead of an email client. Here are the step-by-step guides on how to create a Listserv for your specific needs.
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Step-By-Step Guides On How To Create A Listserv
1. Firstly, download the software that best meets your needs. There are three options for different OS:
- Listserv Classic is the first and most widely used of the programs. It is the best because satisfaction meets most individual users’ needs and includes email and discussion groups.
- Listserv Lite is for essential electronic mailing lists, and no advanced features are included.
- Maestro option satisfies the needs of large users with a massive number of email subscribers.
2. Sign up for your Listserv mailing list with the name, category, and description of the list.
Ensure the name of the list and the email address that people will use describe the group as much as possible, such as Charity@LISTSERV.ahmed.EDU for charity activities.
3. At this point, set up a password for managing your electronic mailing list.
Google will send a password verification code to your mail with instructions on activating it.
4. Determine which type of electronic mailing list to be public or private.
- A public list means that anyone can use it.
- If you want to create a Listserv and set it to be private, let Listserv know when you sign up. Don’t follow directories such as Yahoo! Groups.
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5. Add members after you launch a Listserv.
- Invite people to join by entering their email addresses on the management page.
- If you send invitations, people who receive your invitations could join or “opt in.”
- Other people can voluntarily subscribe by sending a message to the Listserv, and you need to approve their membership requests.
6. Provide subscription information and set as a default at the bottom of Listserv messages that go out.
It will allow people to subscribe or unsubscribe at any time.
7. Create a Listserv message to add an important message to both headers and footers to broadcast something or information.
8. You’ll need to send a message to the subscriber’s email addresses you created for the Listserv mailing list.
- Anyone includes in the program can send a message except it’s a moderated list.
- If you launch a Listserv that is a moderated list, you must approve messages before sending them to the electronic mailing list.
9. Monitor traffic after you launch a Listserv.
- Promote active discussions.
- Get everyone conscious of rules about what doesn’t allow in the program.
10. Use the pull-down list options menu if you are running more than one Listserv mailing list.
11. Visit the management page any time you need to manage Listserv settings.
Choose “Subscribers” or click the Subscriber button to add or delete subscribers or modify any of their data.
- “Bulk op.” is for controlling bulk operations, but be cautious. When you run this command, you cannot undo it.
- The Commands button is meant to manage your electronic mailing list or open Listserv commands.