In this article I will explain how to install phpList and how to use this great PHP script. First, let’s answer the question what is phpList good for. PhpList is free script written in PHP which can be used as a newsletter manager. With the double opt-in subscription system you can be sure that your subscribers are really interested in your newsletter.
Web hosting requirements for phpList:
Before you start the installation process, ensure that your web host support PHP and MySQL database and you have at least 10 MB free disk space (more space will be necessary when your newsletter will grow and more data will be stored in MySQL database). PHP version must be at least 4.3.x or higher and MySQL version must be 3.23 or higher. Developers recommend to run this script on Linux servers with Apache Webserver. They highly recommend to run phplist with “safe mode” in PHP off too.
How to install phpList:
Download the *.tgz or *.zip package from developers website. Unpack the archive files using WinZip, Total Commander or similar program. Then upload files in public_html folder to your web host. Edit the lists/config/config.php file and setup variables like Mysql database server (usually localhost), database name (if you have not created the database yet, you should do it through your web hosting control panel), database username and password. Other settings you should leave intact unless you are sure what are you doing. Then point your browser to http://www.yourdomain.com/lists/admin and follow the instructions on the screen. That is the last step, when done the installation should be finished.
Another and easier solution how to install this PHP script is to sign up for a quality web hosting service which offers pre-installed PHP scripts. Then easily go to your control panel, find the section with pre-installed scripts and select phpList. The installer will do all the job for you. All you need to do is to choose the script you want to install.
How to use phpList:
Login to admin interface and look at configuration functions. From this place you can setup e. g. mailing list url, how often you want to check for a new version, url where users can subscribe and unsubscribe etc. Then check out links under list and user functions. This is the section where you can see and manage current lists, users, eventually import or export users. Under administrator functions it is possible to add, edit or remove administrators and configure attributes for administrators.
The most important section is called message functions — from this place you can send messages to your subscribers. You can choose between HTML format, plain text or combination of plain text and HTML, pick some of the templates, set up criteria (e. g. send email only to users that answered “yes” particular question when they signed up) and other options.
I hope the installation and settings will be easy for your. Anyway if you will have any problem you can visit developers website where is extensive documentation and forum.
For quality hosting with preinstalled scripts including phpList visit Marble Host, web hosting company with 99.9% uptime guarantee.
Would you like an Internet Marketing tool that can put your efforts on autopilot?
In a recent interview for the List Crusade program, Matt Bacak revealed what he called the “foundation” for automatically building a successful and profitable ezine.
(Note: To access Matt Bacak’s complete audio interview for fre^e, see end of article)
A little about Matt: He was the leading facilitator for Robert Kiyosaki’s (of Rich Dad, Poor Dad fame) Cash Flow 101 program. One of his secret techniques he used was to create the Millionaire Minutes ezine, which allowed him to stay in contact with participants even after the seminar was over.
With a several hundred thousand subscribers and around 750 new subscribers each day, Matt knows how to quickly develop an opt-in subscriber list.
The ezine was so successful the he was able to do mailings to his subscriber list three days before an event and fill the room to capacity.
He attributes the success of this ezine with causing him to cross over from wealth building to the Internet Marketing world. He now is considered one of the top Internet marketing mentors in the world.
Bazek gives these steps to develop and promote your ezine.
1) Get a Smart Autoresponder–Your Internet business must have a solid foundation with a Smart Autoresponder. The smart autoresponder allows you to capture names and email addresses.
You can then set it up to email a sequence of messages. For example, one of Matt’s ezine has messages set up to be mailed automatically over a period of two years. That means he can go on extended vacations and his sales messages still go out and make him money.
2) Choose a good title and description. Choose a title that captures your Unique Selling Proposition. Next write a 15-30 word description of your ezine to entice the subscriber with benefits of “what’s in it for me?” This is absolutely necessary when you begin submitting to ezine directories.
3) Next contact other ezine owners and set up joint ventures. Many will be glad promote your ezine to their list if it has value to their readers. There are literally thousands of other ezine owners out there. You can offer to promote their ezine to your list also.
4) Start submitting your ezine to directories. A search on the Internet will reveal many fre^e ezine directories on the web. They’ll list your title and description at no charge. You can begin getting subscribers almost immediately. If you have extra cash to help promote your ezine, try some of the paid directories-for a fee, you can be listed on these site along with many other sites that are members of their network. These can definitely speed up the growth of your ezine.
5) Use a mentor that can help you set up your ezine step-by-step, laying the foundation to put the ezine on autopilot. Often getting first hand guidance from someone who has set up a successful ezine is the boost you’ll need to get started.
With those foundational steps, you can quickly start a successful ezine and quickly bring in money, all on autopilot.
Rick Miller is a Certified Master of Web Copywriting and co-founder of List Crusade. For fre^e access to the entire interview and a fre^e coaching session with Matt Bacak, along with 51 other audio lessons from top Internet Marketing and Self Help Gurus–go to: http://www.scientificinternetmarketing.com/bacak2
© 2004 Rick Miller. All rights reserved. Feel fre^e to
reprint or forward this in its entirety to anyone you wish.