In this topic we will guide you through the step by step instructions you should follow in order to start processing emails from your customers who want to subscribe to your newsletter using double opt-in method to create your mailing list.

A double opt-in list means that not only must the customer take an action to add himself to a list, but he then receives a confirmation of his subscription. He must reply to be added to the list. This is done to ensure that the customer did not subscribe by mistake or somebody else did not subscribe him to receive your regular email. Even if a third part person attempts to add somebody without his permission, that confirmation, that second step requiring action, means if the customer does nothing he won't be added to the list.

We created an example of My Subscribers rule that shows how the program can handle the emails with subscribe requests from your customers. So, you can learn how to use a double opt-in method to create your mailing list. Also, this rule shows how you can insert/update data in your database using Database Manager action.

You should adjust these settings to fit your needs.

ATTENTION! Make sure to run Email Processor before you receive emails in MS Outlook (or your regular email software). Turn OFF Check e-mail every xx minutes option in Outlook.

1. Look at the program's Toolbar and click icon. Here you have to create a POP3 account from which the program will gather your incoming emails.

Enter an account name, for example, Subscribe.

Enter your incoming mail server just as you enter this information in the Outlook Express. Anyway, you can ask your ISP what your POP3 server is. They will be glad to tell you as the same information is entered to set up the Outlook Express.

Enter your user name and password.

Leave Port as default. It is 110. Click OK.

If you are going to send a confirmation letter to your customers, you need to create SMTP account. Click SMTP tab and fill in the required fields.

2. Double click the mouse on My Subscribers rule in My Rules section. You will see Rule Settings window.

Check the account you created in the Accounts section.

Leave all the options checked as by default. Click OK.

3. When you click My Subscribers rule, the settings of this rule appear on the right pane of the program's window.

Look at the Filters -> Subject. You can see Maillist in the Subject Filter. It means that the program will catch emails with the Maillist word in the Subject line.

You can add more words or expressions to this filter if needed. Double click the mouse on the Subject item to display its settings. Type your word or expression and click Add.

Click OK.

4. Go down and look at the Field Extractor. Field Extractor will extract the customer's name, email, the program's name he wants to subscribe, the date and the action from your emails.

5. Look at the Actions section.

Write To File action saves the extracted data to a file. By default this action is disabled. If you want the program to write the extracted data to a file, just check the checkbox next to File 1 item.

Double click the mouse on the File 1 item to display Write to File settings. Look at the Select File box at the bottom. Here is the file to which the program will save email addresses with removal requests. If you want, you can change the path or the file name.

Click OK.

Using Send Email action you can send a confirmation request to your customers (to send a letter you need to create SMTP account. See Creating Accounts). If you want to disable this action, just uncheck the checkbox next to Confirmation Request string.

You can see the confirmation email by double clicking the mouse on the Confirmation Request string. Select the account from which you want to send your email in FROM box. If needed, you can edit the email as you want.

Click OK to save the changes.

Database Manager action inserts the extracted data (the customer's name, email, the program's name he wants to subscribe, the date and the action) into your database and the Comment for the customer - Waiting for confirmation. (My Subscribers Confirmation rule allows you to update this information after you receive a confirmation letter from the customer). To see the Database Manager settings, double click the mouse on Insert string. You can make any changes you want.

Click OK to save the changes.

6. Go to My Rules section and check the checkbox next to My Subscribers rule.

7. Click Start on the Toolbar to run the program.

8. You will see on the screen how the processing of your emails goes. After it is finished, you can open your database and check the data extracted from messages with subscribe requests.

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