Email Marketing News and Tips

Although the online HTML editor may only offer limited functionality when compared with a standalone option such as Dreamweaver or FrontPage, the functionality available with BlastWizard will allow you to create the layout and content you need for standard email communications.  As long as you keep a few simple tips and suggestions in mind, the built in editor can be very powerful.

1. Creating the page layout:

When creating your HTML emails, the best practice to follow when creating the layout is using the <table> tags.  By using tables, you will ensure that your email will render the same way in all of the recipient’s email clients.

- How do I create a table with multiple columns and/or rows?

There are two table buttons in the top row of the toolbar. Either will create a table. The first one is simpler, but the second gives more control, if needed. When working with tables, it is always best to use IE, as many of the functions in the editor to control tables don’t seem to work in other browsers. Because double clicking on the table in IE brings up the more in depth options window, it is generally best to create the table with the dimensions you want using the first button, and then you can fine tune it with the menu later on.

- How do I re size columns/rows to a different width or height?

When dealing with tables, it is always best to work in IE, as many of the functions in the editor to control tables don’t seem to work in other browsers. With IE, you can double click on a table to open up its properties, and change them from there.  In addition, if the table is selected, you can mouse over a cell until the curser turns to a four-pointed arrow and the cell border turns red, then you can click and drag to re size the width/height of that cell and any in the same row/column.

- How do I create table borders?

Double click on the table in IE when the cross with arrows curser comes up (usually in the border between columns). Go to the second tab. Enter the width you want into the ‘Border’ blank, and the color you want into the ‘Border Color’ blank, then click accept. The border will not show up in the ‘Normal’ window, but it will show up in the ‘Preview’ window.

2. Inserting text:

Many times, it can be easier to write the text portion of your emails using other software then copying the finished text directly into the editor.  Sometimes, problems can arise if you try to make too many changes to text/formatting within the editor.

- How do I copy text from MS Word?

For the most part, a simple Copy/Paste will work.  If it doesn’t copy the text from word, then click on the ‘Paste From Word’ button at the top left of the toolbar. Paste the text there, click insert, and it should show up in your html. Some minor formatting changes may be necessary, such as deleting extra lines, but for the most part it will copy over intact.

- What is the best way to format my text?

In general, the editor is good about handling multiple formatting changes. As long as you have no intentions of going into the code afterwards, there should be no problems associated with text formatting. Editing the text format multiple times causes the HTML code to become more complicated than it needs to be, but it will usually display correctly. If writing directly into the editor, try to finish each section before making any changes to formatting, and try to keep the number of changes to a minimum.

- Inserting headers (H1, H2, H3, etc.)

Enter the text you want where you want it, then highlight it.  Go to the first dropdown menu and select the heading type you would like.

3. Inserting images

Images can be a very important part of any email.  There are plenty of ways to include them in your messages, and it is important that they function correctly when you do.

- How do I host an image on the Image Gallery?

Click ‘Image Gallery’ -> ‘Upload’ -> ‘Browse.’ Locate the image on your computer, then select it and click open.

- How do I insert an image from the Image Gallery?

Click ‘Insert Image’ then select the image you want from the list. Fill in any information you need in the blanks under the preview, then click insert. If your image contains any text that is important to convey to your clients, type it into the ‘Alt Text’ blank. This way, if the image is blocked by the recipient’s email client, they will still see the text.

- How do I insert an image hosted on an external server?

Locate the URL for the image you want, and then click ‘Insert Image’ and paste the link into the URL box under the preview pane. Fill in any other information the same as you would for an image hosted on the image gallery, and then click insert.  Alternatively, you can simply download the image, re host it to the Image gallery, then insert it.  This may be useful if the original location may not be permanent or completely reliable.

- How do i re size an Image to fit with my layout?

By default, the image should be set to keep its proportions. You can double click on the image and make sure that ‘Constrain Proportions’ is checked (or not, if you want it to be flexible). Once that is set how you want it, click ‘OK’ then you can drag the corners of the picture to the size you want.  If you know the pixel dimensions of the area you want the image to take up, you can also enter them directly into the options window instead of dragging manually.

- How do I position an image where I want it and have text wrap around it?

Double click on the image, then select left or right (or another option) from the Alignment drop down. The image will stick wherever you set it to, and any text in the same space will wrap around it.  Images can also be dragged, but be aware that if an alignment is set, that will always take priority over where you drag the image to.

4. Hyperlinking text and images

Adding links to your emails can be an important way to get information across, and it is important that the links function correctly when you use them.

- How do I add a hyperlink to text?

Highlight the text you want to link with, and then click the link button on the toolbar.  Select the type of link from the dropdown (probably http://) then fill in the rest of the URL in the bar above. Make sure to use the entire URL, otherwise problems can arise. Fill in the rest of the blanks as needed.

- How do I hyperlink an image?

Select the image and click the link button on the toolbar. Select the type of link from the dropdown (probably http://) then fill in the rest of the URL in the bar above. Make sure to use the entire URL, otherwise problems can arise. Unfortunately, if you need to change an image’s link settings after creating it, the best way to do this is to select the image, remove the link, and create it with the new settings.

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