A Listserv is a way to communicate with a group of people via email.
You send a message to the group email address. Our software then sends it to all subscribers in that group. Easy Peasy!
Listservs are known by MANY other names, such as group email list, electronic mailing list, email discussion group, private discussion forum, mail group, online discussion group, discussion board, or message board.
Common Mistake: Confusing Listserves with Mailing Lists
While both are used for email communication, they are not interchangeable. A typical mailing list is a one-way communication tool used to send messages to a large group of people. A listserv is a two-way communication tool that allows for discussion and collaboration among members.
If you are trying to encourage participation in your group, mistakenly using a mailing list can limit communication and hinder collaboration.
Who Joins a Listserv?
People join a listserv because they have a common interest and want to share information. Our customers typically fit into one of these categories:
- hobby (Quilting, woodworking, bird watching, gaming.)
- recreational pursuit (Local youth sports team, Training for 5K race.)
- educational (How to create websites.)
- professional (Lawyers, City Managers, Nurses)
- health-related (Those with a rare disease.)
- association (homeowners association, non-profit group)
- Or…..maybe just members of a BIG family staying in touch!
Often, people can join or leave a listserv group at any time, unless it’s a paid group. In that case, the List Owner/Moderator will need to approve.
Where Do You Join?
There are millions of listserves on the Internet, and new ones start every day. Some are free like Google Groups or Discourse. We don’t recommend using free group email. Free groups are often supported by ads that might appear in the browser or email message. Or….by selling their members’ demographic and behavioral attributes to advertise to them. (Ever wonder where all those marketing emails come from?)
Paid listserve hosting companies charge a per-member subscription fee. That fee pays for the software, servers, and bandwidth needed. Typically, the list owner or organization pays the fee and allows subscribers to join for free. Often, this type of listserv has a website that is also searchable.
Two Kinds of Email Lists
- Announcement List – One-way communication where only the list owner can send a message.
- Discussion Groups – Any subscriber can send or reply to a message.
The software manages the subscriptions, delivers the messages, and handles bounces (rejected email). The group can be as small as 10 people or as big as 100,000!
Many different brands of software are available for this purpose, including LSoft, Majordomo, Smartlist, GNU Mailman, Sympa, and others. Typically, the software allows people to subscribe, unsubscribe, or set themselves as on vacation.
Why Email?
Why use a Listserv and communicate via email? Can’t you just use something like a Facebook Group?
In recent years, security and privacy have been a BIG issue. Big Tech and Fact Checkers remove posts or block users for a whole host of reasons. That won’t happen in a private, secure email discussion group like those offered at Mail-List.com!
Another reason to use a Listserv is convenience. With email, your subscribers don’t have to “remember” to check a Facebook Group. All messages are delivered to their own, private inbox. Subscribers can choose to receive each individual email or get a daily summary. Nice!
The best part of a Listserv:
Like-minded people can bypass time zones and communicate from the comfort of their email inbox. Best of all…..whenever it’s convenient. No missing an important post or announcement because you scrolled. All emails are delivered to the subscriber; the subscriber doesn’t have to go find them. That’s why we prefer push vs pull when it comes to communication in your group!
More information:
Listserv vs Message Board/Forum
Listserv vs Twitter
4 Alternatives to Google Groups
Is your group worried about privacy and security? Find out how we can help!
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