To create a private Yahoo group:
1. Go to Yahoo.com and click on "Groups" then "Start your group today" to begin the process.
2. Choose a category for your group and provide a name, email address, and description.
3. Customize the group settings to make it private and approve members.
4. Invite or add members by providing their email addresses, first and last names. Yahoo will send them an email to join.
5. Access the group backend as administrator to moderate the group and see email messages.
4. You’ll need to either log into Yahoo if you already have an account or create one. If you have more than one Yahoo account, you’ll be able to choose which one to use.
5. Every group must be “categorized.” This is primarily for groups that are going to be visible to the general public (which yours will not) but you still need to assign it a category.
6. There are several “layers” in some categories. Typically you’ll have to drill down one or two before Yahoo considers you sorted.
7. Once you’ve drilled down deep enough, Yahoo will let you select “place my group here” and you’re set.
8. Now, you need to name your group and assign an e-mail address. When you send an e-mail to that address, it automatically goes to every member of the group. You will also describe your group. Again, this is mostly for public groups but you can’t skip the step.
9. You may end up with a group name and a group e-mail address that does not match exactly, based on availability.
10. If you have more than one address associated with your Yahoo account, you’ll select which e-mail you want to use.
11. On this page, you’ll be given the URL of your group and the e-mail everyone should use to send group messages. You’ll want to customize your group so it can be set to private and you can set preferences.
13. An unlisted group is a private group. No one will know it exists. By only allowing those you approve to join and keeping the discussions closed to only members… you have created a private group.
14. These are the standard preferences that work with most groups.
15. Additional preferences. In most cases, you will want all members to be able to fully access any files or resources placed on the group’s website. For example, you might share forms, photos, logo files or PDFs. You can create polls for members and share a calendar.
16. You’ve now created a private group. But it’s a little too private. Let’s invite some people to join us.
17. Just enter the e-mail addresses of the people you want in the group. This *invites* them to join. But they are not automatically added. I typically, use the Add Members link on this page to avoid the invitation step.
18. To add members, type: their e-mail address space first name space last name
19. You’ll get a screen where you can check everyone’s address and names.
20. Now, Yahoo is going to show you the e-mail they will send (from the group) to tell people they’ve been added to the group. The description you wrote for the group will appear in the beginning of this e-mail.
21. This e-mail tells the member the basics of how to function, communicate in the group. If you’re fine with it – click on Add Members. You can also choose edit and re-write the e-mail. Do this with caution. You want them to know how to use it.
22. You will then be taken to the group’s “back end” where you can see everything that’s happening on the website or the e-mail messages. Unless you make someone else in the group an administrator– you’ll be the only one who can access this page.
23. This is what group members will see. Basically the same set up, but without moderation links/tools.