[BBLISA] Fwd: Seeking info/quotes for article on "Opt-in Email Lists" for InformIT.com

[Betsy Schwartz]

Query from Daniel Dern, whom some of you might know from xbbn and other 
local institutions.
Please respond directly to him if you are interested. (ideally before 
Wednesday 1/7)

I don't have that much direct experience in this myself - I am running a 
mailman installation here but we are pretty strict about requiring local 
email addresses, which takes most of thechallenges out.

cheers
Betsy

From: Daniel P Dern <ddern at world.std.com>


>>X-X-Sender: ddern at shell01-g
>>To: Betsy Schwartz <betsys at pobox.com>
>>Subject: Seeking info/quotes for article on "Opt-in Email Lists" for 
>>InformIT.com

>>In my freelance writer capacity, I'm doing an article for InformIT.com on
>>"Opt-in Mailing lists -- how your company can set up an opt-in newsletter:
>>the DOs and DON'Ts".  I've spoken to some 3rd party list providers,
>>but realized I still need some info/quotes from people handling this
>>in-house (e.g., sysadmins/web admins),

>>The article is about OPT-IN aspects, not generic "what's a mailing list,"
>>"how to set up a mailing list," etc.  Just OPT-IN parts/advice.
>>
>>(Note, the primary audience is system administrators, particularly
>>at smaller companies - so it's about "what do you do to make this
>>happen?" not "what kind of content?")
>>
>>I'd like your thoughts -- by email or (briefly) by phone, e.g.,
>>
>>- What list(s)/newsletter(s) do you do?  How many users/subscribers,
>>   how frequently do you send, typical length?
>>- What tool, or service, do you use?  Rough cost?
>>- How do you do the "opt-in", e.g. email, web, snail mail, etc?
>>- Do you use a "two-pass" (confirm)?
>>- What options do you offer/recommend?
>>- Wnat do you consider are key DO's, DON'Ts?
>>- Any favorite examples of folks (besides you) "doing it right"?
>>- Have you had any problems, e.g. people trying to sign other
>>   people up, people complaining they didn't sign up/opt-in, etc.?
>>- Any other advice?
>>
>>(FYI, you can see other articles I've done for InformIT.com from
>>links at <http://www.dern.com/artic.shtml#InformIT>.)
>>
>>I'd like talk to an appropriate person at your organization, before
>>January 1 if possible.
>>
>>Again, I'm a free-lance technology writer, providing bylined articles and
>>columns, as well as PR writing, editorial and consulting services,
>>especially case histories, interviews, FAQs, OpEds, releases and feature
>>articles.  Topics, products and issues I've been writing lately include
>>WiFi, VoIP, Linux/OpenSource, Power over Ethernet, .NET, mobility
>>products, sysadmin tools, security, "Aligning IT with Your Business
>>Strategy,"  "Stretching Your IT Budget," along with pre- and
>>post-tradeshow coverage. Most recently I was Executive Editor of Byte.com.
>>
>>(See www.dern.com/artic.shtml for links to samples of my recent work,
>>and www.dern.com for more info.)
>>
>>
>>Thanks for your help!
>>
>>Sincerely,
>>
>>Daniel P. Dern
>>617 969-7947
>>
>>
>>*----------------------------------------------------------------------*
>>Daniel Dern - Freelance technology writer
>>ddern at world{dot}std{dot}com or <www.dern.com>
>>   (See www.dern.com/artic.shtml for links to samples of my work.)
>>   Columnist, VON Magazine (vonmag.com); Contributing Editor, TechRevu.com
>>   Graphic novel reviewer, SFRevu.com

Betsy Schwartz                                                    email: 
betsys at gsd.harvard.edu
Unix Systems Administrator,CRG                           voice: 617-495-5947
Harvard Graduate School of Design                         fax:    617-496-5866