Types of welcome messages to subscribers
When a person subscribes or is added to a list, there are several different ways they can be notified.
- The SIGNUP1 or "You are now subscribed to the listname list" template is sent to subscribers when they subscribe to a list themselves.
- The ADD1 or "You have been added to the listname list" template is sent to subscribers when they are added to a list by a list owner, unless Do Not Notify User has been selected.
- The $SIGNUP or standard subscription notice contains the bulk of the instructions for using the listserv system.
Both the SIGNUP1 and ADD1 messages imbed the $SIGNUP message by including a .im $SIGNUP command in those message templates. These are technical messages that contain information on how to send messages to the list via email or the website, how to contact the owner, and how to setup a password, etc.
New subscribers can also receive a WELCOME message, which is an additional message, with non-technical information about a list, such as rules for posting.
Some owners use the $SIGNUP template to explain the technical details (how to sign off, how to post messages), along with the WELCOME message to post non-technical information.
Some list owners use the WELCOME message instead of the ADD1/SIGNUP1 message because it's easier to format. Everything in the message text gets sent to subscribers.
To completely eliminate the SIGNUP1 and the ADD1 messages, edit those messages as instructed below. Add the .QQ command as the first line of each template. This will cancel the message.
How to change welcome and farewell messages to subscribers
Log in to the UGA LISTSERV website, https://listserv.uga.edu/, with your listserv email and password.
Select List Management from the pull-down menu.
Select the Mail Templates tab located below list management.
If you own more than one list, use the drop down arrow in Select List to select your list.
Once you select your list, a window with templates will display. You can create a new template by selecting Create New Template in the upper-left hand corner or select a template to edit.
To change the WELCOME message (non-technical message) with a personal greeting:
Select the Welcome Mail Template tab.
The new screen will display allowing you to edit the template.
Type your message in the text box provided in the specified space.
Click Update at the bottom of the screen to save changes.
You will see a message saying your WELCOME form has been successfully stored in the listname template library.
New subscribers will receive your WELCOME message as an email when they subscribe to your list.
You can follow the same steps for drafting a custom FAREWELL message.