Creating a New HTML Follow-Up Message

HTML messages provide a well-formatted, graphical method of communicating with subscribers. To create a new HTML follow-up message:

1. From the Messages tab, click Create Follow-up. The Plain or HTML message page displays (see Figure 3).

Figure 3: Selecting Plain or HTML Message Type.

 

2. Select a current campaign from the Your current campaign drop-down list.

3. Click Choose HTML format. The Choose Message template page displays (see
Figure 4).

Figure 4: Choosing a Message Template.

 

4. To view the available templates, use the scroll bar to find the appropriate template category and click the category. Template images display on the right side of the page. Scroll through the template images using the page numbers and page navigation arrows.

5. Click a template image to select it. A pop-up menu (see Figure 5) prompts to add the template to your favorites list.

Figure 5: Adding a Template to Your Favorites.

 

6. To select a color scheme, click a color version. The HTML message editor displays (see Figure 6).

Figure 6: Editing an HTML Follow-up Message.

 

Note: The HTML message editor displays the message with placeholder text to make it easier to see how the message will be formatted. Replace the placeholder text with your own to create your message.

7. Enter the number of days after sign-up to send the message in the Send field. A value of 0 means the message is sent immediately.

8. Select the sending e-mail address using the From drop-down list. To add more From field items, click Add a new From Field.

9. Enter a subject line in the Subject field.

10. To personalize the subject line with subscriber information, place the cursor in the desired location and click Personalize. A list of subscriber fields displays (see
Figure 7).

Figure 7: Personalizing the Subject Line.

 

11. Select one or more data fields from the list.

12. To replace the placeholder text and replace with your own information, select the block of text and type new text or paste the from a text editor.

13. Delete any placeholder text that is not needed.

14. To personalize message content, place the cursor in the text and click Personalize. A list of subscriber fields displays (see Figure 7).

15. Select the appropriate data fields from the list.

16. Use the editing toolbar buttons to format the text (see Figure 8). Refer to Table 2 for a description of toolbar features.

Figure 8: HTML Editor Toolbar.

 

  

17. To insert multimedia, click the multimedia icon on the toolbar. Browse existing audio, video, photo or document files stored in the multimedia gallery for the account. Click Add to insert into the page.

18. To use a template, click Load Saved Template from the editor toolbar and select the template from the list.

Note: Use this option before customizing message content or formatting. The existing message text and formatting will be replaced when the template is loaded.

19. To insert a link to a survey, click the survey icon on the toolbar and select the survey from the list.

Note: The survey must be configured prior to creating the message.

20. To insert an image file, click the image icon on the toolbar. A dialog box displays prompting for the location of the file (see Figure 9). Enter the URL for the image, a description and the image title into the appropriate fields and click Insert.

Figure 9: Inserting an Image.

 

21. To integrate to social media accounts, click the social media icon on the toolbar. A dialog box displays the social media icons that will display in the message (see Figure 10).

Figure 10: Integrating to Social Media.

 

22. Select the desired icon size – large or small and click Add. The editor inserts the icons at the top of the message.

23. To insert custom characters, click the insert custom character icon on the toolbar. A dialog box displays the characters that may be inserted (see Figure 11).

Figure 11: Inserting Special Characters.

 

24. Select a character to insert it.

25. After placing all the text, click the spell check icon on the toolbar (see Figure 12) to spell check the message.

Figure 12: HTML Editor Spell Check.

 

26. Select the language from the list. Spell checker displays misspelled words and provides suggestions for correcting errors.

27. To view the Plain Text version of the message, click the Plain Text tab.

28. Click Import from HTML to load the message text from the HTML version into the Plain Text version of the message.

29. Click Wrap Long Lines to allow the message to fit into the subscriber’s e-mail viewing window, so the message is easier to read.

30. Click Add Attachment to attach a file to the message. Use the pop-up window to locate the file on your computer and select it.

31. Click Test Message to send a preview to your e-mail address. A dialog box prompts for selection of the e-mail address where the message should be sent (see Figure 13).

Figure 13: Sending a Test Message.

 

32. Select the e-mail address where the message should be sent using the Send Test to drop-down list and click Test It.

33. Click Spam Check to verify the message complies with Spam laws and view any items that may trigger anti-spam filters. A dialog box displays the results of the test (see Figure 14).

Figure 14: Checking the Spam Score.

 

34. Click Save as Draft to save a draft of the message and work on the message later.

35. Click Save as Template to save the message as a template for reuse later. A dialog box prompts for entry of a template name (see Figure 15).

Figure 15: Saving a Message as a Template.

 

36. Enter a name in the Template Name field and click Save.

37. Click the appropriate checkboxes to track message performance, including the open rate, click-throughs and Google Analytics.

38. Click Save Message. The message displays on the Follow-Up Messages list.