Good batch-send rate for e-newsletter

How many messages and how often?

[MatthewHSE]

I run an opt-in mailing list. The software I use allows me to choose how many messages to send per batch and how often the batches should be sent.

I know server load is an issue with trying to send too many messages too quickly, and I also know that you risk getting tagged as a spammer if some ISP's get too many messages from your domain in too short of a time. Between these two issues, the second one is the most important to me.

So what is a good rate to send a newsletter in batches? Right now I'm sending 50 every five minutes, which completes sending to my list of 4100 addresses in about seven hours. Not bad, I'm thinking, but am I thinking wrong?

I tried searching and couldn't find any real statistics on this, although everybody seems to agree that batch-sending is pretty much a necessity.

Thanks for any ideas,

Matthew

[Longhaired Genius]

My strategy is very similar to yours. When I would send hundreds at a time I would get bounces and delays; sending 10 per minute, everything goes smoothly. Where is the cut-off point? Who knows? I intend to continue as I am until I decide the mailing is taking too long, then gradually increase the number of mailings per minute. When I start getting bounces and delays again, I'll throttle back.