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E-mail lists are easy and effective at keeping your allies
informed and in touch. There are two types of e-mail lists:
discussion lists, which allow everyone on the list to send
messages, and distribution lists, which allow only a moderator to
send messages. Discussion lists are livelier and more interactive
but can result in large volumes of messages. Also, be aware that if
you flood your list members’ e-mail accounts with too many
messages, they will begin to ignore the messages or remove
themselves from the list altogether.
When e-mailing to list members, remember to:
• Use positive, proactive terms, such as “Support safer
streets” instead of “No to street widening,” when
mobilizing your allies.
• Encourage your supporters to stay connected with one another
in order to foster a sense of community.
• Give them a clear and simple way (e.g., a hyperlink) to
access your Web site.
E-mail List
Tools
CitizenSpeak
is a free service that allows a grassroots campaign to coordinate
e-mail as part of their advocacy strategy. After signing up, you
can send your members an e-mail with a URL, assigned by
CitizenSpeak, that contains a sample message and a list of targeted
decision-makers. Your members can edit the message and, with just a
click, send it to the target list. The e-mail will arrive addressed
to the individual decision-maker from the individual member, not as
a mass e-mail.
Yahoo!
Groups allows you to create free e-mail lists for either
distribution (one-way e-mails that only a list moderator can send)
or discussion (any list member can send a message to the rest of
the list).
Many small, local organizations around the country offer free
e-mail, e-mail lists, and/or Web-site hosting for a specific
community. Your local public library should be able to help you
find any that exist in your area.
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