Step 1: Installing the Subscriptions Plug In

Open up your Plug In’s Menu and look for the plug in called SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL. Click ACTIVATE below this plug in to install the feature.

Step 2: Configure your Subscription Settings

Click SETTINGS under the SUBSCRIPTIONS menu in your Admin Dashboard. This will bring up the configuration settings.

Step 3: Auto Subscribe Enabled Settings

We suggest keeping this set to NO, but if you would like to, you can change this to yes and anyone that registers for your blog (by creating a username) will be automatically subscribed to receive emails when you make a new post. We suggest you allow visitors to opt in, vs auto subscribing them. Additionally, if a user is auto subscribed, they are not able to unsubscribe without deleting their user account. Use with caution.

Step 4: Excerpt Enabled

We suggest setting this to YES as it will include a portion of the article posted (text only) in the email. This will give the reader an idea of the content of the article and encourage them to click on the full article link if they are interested.

Step 5: Notification Subject

This setting allows you to set the subject line of the email that is sent. You can enter anything you want here, but we suggest using some of the auto variables here. Our suggestion is to paste the following subject line in: BLOGNAME: POST_TITLE

This will then create a subject line that looks like “Your Groups Name: The Title of the Post” and it typically works very well. Feel free to change this as you would prefer though.

Step 6: Notification Content

This area specifies the body of your email. There are many variables that are available for you to use that will automatically add information about your blog and post. We suggest you try to keep this as simple as possible and not be too wordy. Experiment with the default settings and then modify as you would prefer. A list of the auto variables can be found directly below the content box for your reference.

Here is a good place to start with your email content settings:

Dear Subscriber,

AUTHOR_NAME has posted a new item on BLOGNAME: POST_TITLE

You can read the post in full here: POST_URL

EXCERPT

Thanks,
BLOGNAME

Cancel subscription: CANCEL_URL

Step 7: Save your Changes

When you have completed your changes, be sure to click the SAVE CHANGES button at the bottom.

Step 8: Managing your Subscribers

To see a list of your subscribers, click on the SUBSCRIPTIONS sub menu under the SUBSCRIPTIONS menu.

Step 9: Adding, Removing and Searching for Subscribers

This page will allow you to manually cancel, search for and add subscribers. To add a subscriber manually, enter their email in the ADD SUBSCRIPTION field. To Remove a subscriber, click the box next to a subscriber and then click the CANCEL SUBSCRIPTION(S) button. You may also search for a subscriber if you list is exceptionally long. Please note that every email contains a link for the subscriber to cancel their subscription on their own as well.

Step 10: Adding the Subscription Widget

Now that your settings are all correct, you will want to add the Subscriptions Widget to your side bar. To do this head to APPEARANCE > WIDGETS and find the SUBSCRIBE BY EMAIL widget and drag it to the desired location in your sidebar.

Step 11: Adjust your Subscription Widget Settings

If desired, you can alter the Title, Text below the sign up box and the Button Text to your needs. Be sure to click SAVE when you are finished.

Step 12: Test Your Widget

Once everything is set up, be sure to test your widget by signing up on your main site and then making a test post to your groups website. This is exactly what your subscribers will see. Adjust as needed and you are all set!