Part 6: Adding your members

The extensive section below covers all aspects of adding members to your email list. Please read it carefully!

An important reminder:

As you may recall, all Sparklist lists are configured to be double-opt-in. This means that all new list members must confirm their subscriptions to your list(s). When we import members to your list, each person will receive a confirmation message; once a member responds to the confirmation message, he or she will automatically be added to your list as a confirmed subscriber.

Adding members organically:

Your list will only be successful if people can "opt-in" easily, so you need to help new members join. We recommend you do this by adding a subscription form to your website.

How we import your members

1. Prepare a plain text (.txt) file of your members' information.

   The file should NOT use commas or tabs, and your members' names and email addresses should be in one of the following formats:

   "John Smith" <jsmith@yourcompany.com>
John Smith <jsmith@yourcompany.com>
jsmith@yourcompany.com (John Smith)
jsmith@yourcompany.com John Smith
jsmith@yourcompany.com

2. Send the plain text file to us by using our tech support form, and be sure to include the following additional information:
   • A notification that this is your initial member import
   • The name of your list
   • The server on which your list resides (e.g., @comet.sparklist.com)

We will import your membership list within 48 hours of receipt, so please plan accordingly if you have a deadline for your first mailing.

What's next?

After we add your list members, you'll be ready to start using your list for "live" mailings.

The sections that follow this page cover topics you may find useful, but they are not required to get started. If you're comfortable with the material in Parts 1-6, you're ready to manage your list.

Just one last reminder: after you add members to your list, it is not possible to test your list without sending messages to all subscribers. Please test first!

• Part 7: Unsubscribes & reports
• Getting Started main page