While I’m all for privacy and not spamming people.  There is a limit.  Just recently I’ve had to move database  lists from one autoresponder system to another for some of my clients only to discover that there are so many complications involved that I think if you choose an autoresponder choose carefully and stick with it.  It is not as simple as just exporting and importing.

First off all most autoresponder systems reject the lists, the reasons being that the list apparently is not kosher, I cannot for the life of me remember the reasons, sorry.  But the main and important factor is that once you have trimmed down, cut down, ripped apart your database list and finally get it submitted that the subscribers on that list have to opt in again, “yes that’s right” opt in again, which means in most cases you loose your subscribers.

If you have made the decision that your existing autoresponder is definitely not what you want and you want to move it.

Here are some tips:

• Set up a new sign up page.
• Send out your regular newsletter in your existing autoresponder and the topic of the day is “we’re moving” and ask people to opt in again.

If you do export your list:

• Clean it up, remove all duplicates.
• In some autoresponders, addresses like info@, admin@ will get your list rejected.
• In most cases you will need to speak to support to try and get through all the headaches involved.
• Set up a new opt in message, stating you are moving home.