Part I: Getting Set Up (concluded)

Checklist

Mailing List Quick Reference 

0. Contact the people you'd like to bring together online (by email where possible, otherwise by phone) to see if they are interested in working together using a mailing list, and what they'd need to enable them to do so. Also, identify those people who will help you do some of the planning. (See: Planning Your List)
   
   
1. Once you've done some list planning, do an initial check-in (by email where possible, otherwise by phone) with the people who will be participating on your list to tell them about the list, its purpose and when it will be launched, and find out if there's anything they need to be able to join in. Request a response from everyone you email so you can be sure they're receiving your messages. (See: Planning Your List)
   
   
2. If there are people you'd like to see participating who don't already have email accounts and/or the necessary equipment, see what you can do to help them get started. You may be able to find local support people to offer on-site setup and training.
   
   
3. After determining with your group how you would like the list to function, contact an Internet Service Provider to get it set up. (See: Setting Up Your List)
   
   
4. Get the first messages for the list ready, and prepare and install your mailing list "info" file. (See: Setting Up Your List)
   
   
5. Test your list (and the archiving function if you've set one up) to see that it's working properly before announcing that it's open. To do this, subscribe yourself, then make a test posting to see what happens. It's better to work out any technical problems before they can affect the whole group.
   
   
6. Launch the list. Send subscription instructions to all participants. Remind people to subscribe right away so that they don't miss any of the initial postings. (You can also subscribe everyone in the group yourself, but be sure that they are comfortable with this before you do it.)
   
   
7. Post initial topics (see 5. above), and invite responses.
   
   
8. Start a routine of checking in daily to see what's happening on the list (Online Facilitation). Welcome new participants as they introduce themselves.
   
   
9. Follow up with people who haven't subscribed and/or signed in to see if they need help.
   
   
10. If yours is a list where the general public is welcome, do some online promotion of your discussion area in other related online spaces. Be sure to include access instructions in your posting.