# I'm starting a listserv. How do I get started?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-starting-a-listserv-how-do-i-get-started/427418
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [November 22, 2007, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-starting-a-listserv-how-do-i-get-started/427418 "2007-11-22T13:00:01Z")
**Posts on this page:** 6
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2007, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-starting-a-listserv-how-do-i-get-started/427418/1 "2007-11-22T13:00:01Z")
I’m thinking of just going to Yahoo and following my nose. But before I but too much effort into this I thought I’d ask if there’s a better starting place.
FWIW it’s worth this listserv will never be a big deal. Maybe 50 members, tops.
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### Author:  [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2007, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-starting-a-listserv-how-do-i-get-started/427418/2 "2007-11-22T14:26:41Z")
Remember that [Listserv](http://www.lsoft.com/products/listserv.asp) is a specific product. If that’s what you’re looking for, you either need to get that product or work/have professional contacts somewhere that will allow you to run a listserv there (this can sometimes happen with universities - I moderate a listserv that’s hosted at a university other than the one I work at). There’s also [Listproc](http://www.cren.net/listproc/)
If you’re just looking for email lists, I can think of Yahoo! Groups and Google Groups off the top of my head.
Are you looking for it to do specific things or will a free service work for you?
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### Author:  [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2007, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-starting-a-listserv-how-do-i-get-started/427418/3 "2007-11-22T16:14:15Z")
Moving thread from IMHO to General Questions.
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### Author:  [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2007, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-starting-a-listserv-how-do-i-get-started/427418/4 "2007-11-22T16:22:33Z")
[QUOTE=Czarcasm]
Moving thread from IMHO to General Questions.
[/QUOTE]
No big deal, but I was thinking IMHO would be good so people could say what their opinions are on the ones they’ve tried.
Happy Thanksgiving
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### Author:  [@Plan\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Plan_B)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2007, 4:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-starting-a-listserv-how-do-i-get-started/427418/5 "2007-11-22T16:24:24Z")
[QUOTE=Lsura]
Remember that [URL=“[LISTSERV Email List Management Software](http://www.lsoft.com/products/listserv.asp)”]
Are you looking for it to do specific things or will a free service work for you?
[/QUOTE]
Nothing special at all. I have feeling that unless there’s a movement to condemn either Yahoo or Google, that either one will work fine.
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### Author:  [@Stan\_Doubt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stan_Doubt)
#### Post date: [November 22, 2007, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-starting-a-listserv-how-do-i-get-started/427418/6 "2007-11-22T19:10:28Z")
[QUOTE=Plan B]
Nothing special at all. I have feeling that unless there’s a movement to condemn either Yahoo or Google, that either one will work fine.
[/QUOTE]
I personally like Google groups because of the integration with other Google services, such as Docs & Spreadsheets. Makes it really easy to do basic collaboration.
If you want to expand the possibilities, you could look into a Content management system (CMS).