google mail

[Availor]

I haven't found anything about that, so I've decided to ask this in the forum:
How many people can I send mail to at once? I have about 3000 people in my newsletter database. I want to use gmail as my newsletter program because this way I can send invitation about events and documents I publish.

Anyone has an answer to that?

Thanks,

Availor.

[steve.ledger]

Google/Gmail operates under the guidelines of the CAN-SPAM Act.
Might be worthwhile reading this.

[Availor]

Thanks for the info, but I haven't found the maximum number of reciepients I can send mail to. If I want to send an e-mail to 3000 clients is it possible providing the necessary details?

[steve.ledger]

I think the point is, that sending the same news letter to 3000 recipients in one hit will likely be regarded as spam. Remember that the Anti-Spam laws in your country are different to those in the US. It's the US laws that count because you are using a US based service.

In any case Availor, you can setup your Gmail account as POP, and use a regular email client (I use Foxmail and Opera M2).
Sending out the same newsletter to everyone in your address book then becomes quite easy.

[RTK]

I'm not sure... but I doubt you will be able to email 3000 people because it would open up avenues of incredible abuse.

However, an easy way manage a lot of people is http://groups.google.com/ There is no limit there. The drawback? They would have to re-register with the group you set-up (might not be feasible).

The bonus? Other people using Googe Groups might stumble on your stuff... If you can get all 3000 people to sign-up - you would be kicking some serious butt, Availor.

It might not work for what you want to do, but why not check it out?

Risto

[RTK]

One more thing... Don't be tempted to use a free hosted mailing list service... Many are just nets to collect emails for spam. You don't want to piss your people off... Having 3000 subscribers has real value.

Risto

[RTK]

One more thing... You could also use FeedBurner (email notifications) to communicate with your subscribers. However, (as the name implies) it uses your RSS feed, and sends out the latest additions when it's updated (daily or as it happens).

Sledger, wouldn't you manually have to managee opt-ins and opt-outs when using POP? It could be a lot of work with 1000s of subscribers.

Risto

[steve.ledger]

Assuming the 3000 recipients of Availors News Letter are 'subscribers', no.