The functions described on this page are part of Plugin Newsletter (installed by default in the Ametys demo application).
plugin Newsletter provides a back-office tool for managing newsletters.
Newsletter" tool
Click on the button Newsletter button in the Home to open the tool.
This tree-like tool lets you create, modify or delete letter categories or letters.
Category management
Each newsletter must be linked to a category. It is the category that determines the newsletter template (its rendering) and the list of subscribers.
There are two types of category:
- Custom: These are "free" categories for creating as many newsletter categories as you like, e.g. General, Culture, News...
- Headings: These are categories linked to the site's headings (e.g. University, Research, etc.). These categories are automatic and cannot be modified. These are site sections or pages with the label "Newsletter category".
To create a new category :
- select the"Personalized" letter type
- click on the New category
- a pop-up window opens, allowing you to enter the category name (and optional description)
- enter the name and validate
For each category type, it is possible to define several categories and sub-categories
To enable our category to create newsletters, we need to assign it a Template.
Select a category and click on the Template button.
Creation of a newsletter
A newsletter is placed in a category.
To create a new letter :
- select a category
-
click on the New newsletter button
-
enter the newsletter name and validate
The New Newsletter button may be grayed out if no category is selected, or if the category has no template assigned.
The letter then created is blank, corresponding to the template assigned to it (the choice of template depends on the possibilities offered by the graphic charter used).
To view the letter, double-click on it in the tool.
A newsletter is newsletter-type content, part of the content base managed by CMS.
Newsletter edition
To edit a newsletter :
- select your newsletter from the sidebar
- click on the Modify content button
- your newsletter can be edited in the same way as an article or any other content
- the tools available for editing are the same as for other content.
- The latest publications function lets you search for and insert the latest previously published content into your newsletter.
Zones have been defined in the newsletter; once in editing mode, simply position the cursor in a zone to add text, images or the latest publications in that zone.
Tip
If the webmaster has sufficient rights, he can also view and edit the HTML code to fine-tune the newsletter ( Developer tab -> Modify source code).
Be careful not to manipulate the code incorrectly, as this could render the newsletter unusable.
At the end of editing, click on Save and close in the Edit tab to save and close the edit.
Info
As with all content, it is possible to display properties, history...
Newsletter mailing
The newsletter, like all other content, is subject to aworkflow.
The newsletter is sent to all registered visitors once it has been validated.
To send the newsletter, simply validate it.
Newsletter in test mode
To preview your newsletter, you can send it in test mode.
To access this button, you need to activate the related right. To do this, open the "Users, groups and rights" tab, click on "Rights profile" and then "Modification mode". Finally, go to the "Newsletter" section and tick "Test mailing".
Select a newsletter, then click on the "test send" button and enter the recipient address for the newsletter.
Automatic newsletter creation
An automatic newsletter is a pre-configured newsletter that is sent to subscribers at set intervals.
The newsletter is created, filled in, validated and sent to subscribers without any intervention from a contributor or webmaster.
Automatic newsletters are set up by the application integrator. See the administration manual page to create and set up an automatic newsletter.
To add an automatic newsletter, select a category and click on"Automatic newsletter".
In the dialog box, select the automatic letter or letters you wish to add to this category.
Automatic letters require no further action on your part.
When you select a newsletter category that is set to automatic, the Automatic Newsletter button changes color.
A category to contain both manual and automatic newsletters.
Subscriber management
Select a category to manage subscribers
Subscriber list
The Subscriber list button displays the list of subscribers for the current category.
Example of viewing a subscriber list
Export list
The Export list button allows you to export this list in Excel format (so that it can be understood by other spreadsheet programs).
Export example
Import a subscriber list
The Import subscribers button lets you import a large number of subscribers from a text file (.txt) or an Excel spreadsheet file (.csv).
Clicking on this button opens the following window.
You can choose to delete existing subscribers by checking the appropriate box.
Add subscribers
Click on the Add subscribers button to add subscribers manually.
In the dialog box that opens, enter subscribers' email addresses separated by semicolons, or one email address per line.
Delete subscribers
Select the subscribers you wish to delete from the list of subscribers, then click on the Delete subscribers button.
User subscription in the form of preferences
Newsletter categories are available in the form of user preferences. This makes it possible to present a form enabling a logged-in user to easily subscribe or unsubscribe to the various newsletter categories.
To do this, simply insert a User Preferences service into a page and select the desired newsletter categories:
A page containing this service must be restricted.
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