E-newsletter quick-start
Friday, August 21st, 2009A quick guide to creating E-newsletters using Campaign Monitor
1. Overview
Logging-in will take you to your ‘Overview’ screen. This screen shows all the campaigns you are currently working on, as well as campaigns you have recently sent. From this screen, choose the following option:
- Create a new campaign (large button with green cross on right-hand side of screen)
2. Define campaign and sender
On this page you need to do the following:
- Give your campaign a name - e.g. May 2009 regional newsletter
- Enter the email subject - usually the same as the campaign name, this is the name your recipient will see in their inbox. The subject can include some personalisation if you have uploaded names or titles with your email address list. Select what to include from this drop-down.
- A ‘from’ name - for example - IB Communications or an individual’s name.
- A ‘from’ email address - the email address the campaign will appear to be sent from.
- A ‘reply’ email address - the email address to which any responses will go.
When you’re done, click ‘Next’.
3. Select the format for this campaign
This page allows you to select the format of your campaign. You have three options:
- Create your own HTML page and plain text version and import it into Mailbuild. This allows you to send completely custom designs through Mailbuild and to take advantage of its tracking and reporting features. This should not be used without contact Communications first and is generally best for one-off campaigns that use lots of graphics or unique formats.
- Send a plain text only campaign. This sends a basic plain text email, but still retains all the tracking features of Mailbuild.
- Use one of my templates - this should be your default choice. Templates created by the web team in Communications are available here. For changes to templates contact web@ibo.org
For the purposes of this demonstration, choose one of the templates. When you’re done, click ‘Next’.
4. Define content
This page allows you to add and edit content.
How do I edit?
The icons on the page allow you to edit and delete existing items, as well as to add new items.
Some areas of the page cannot be edited and will update automatically, such as the menu under ‘In this issue’ which is created from every title you add.
Adding content
You can cut and paste content directly into any of the screen areas. When you cut and paste content you will be asked to create a plain text version as well. The plain text version may require some formatting to ensure it fits onto the recommended screen size and that it’s formatting is appropriate.
Adding new sections happens automatically when you hit ‘Add new item’. You should try and work with this format wherever possible, to keep the presentation of IB newsletters consistent and recognisable. If you have absolutely unique requirements, contact web@ibo.org
Adding images is managed automatically and images are resized in order to keep the filesize small. If you require bigger images, contact web@ibo.org
Some changes can be made directly in the HTML of the page. If you don’t feel comfortable working with HTML, contact web@ibo.org
When you have added your content, click ‘Preview’ to see how your newsletter looks.
If you’re happy with this, click ‘I’m done, return to the snapshot’.
If you need to make more changes, click ‘Make more changes’.
For the purposes of this tutorial, we’re going to ‘Snapshot’ next.
5. Snapshot
This page is your campaign homepage. From here you can preview and edit both HTML and plain text versions of your email.
Click ‘Define recipients’
6. Define recipients
This page shows all the subscribers you can send to. Subscribers can be added via pre-existing lists, or individually. Adding lists requires a seperate tutorial, but is easily done via CSV files.
Select the subscribers you want to send this email to and click ‘Next.
This will return you to the Snapshot screen.
7. Test
From the snapshot screen, you will need to click the ‘Test and define delivery’ button. From this screen you can send a test version of the email to yourself and as many approvers are required.
Send yourself a test email every time!
When you receive your test email in your inbox, and are happy with it, click ‘Next’.
8. Schedule campaign delivery
You now have the option to either send your campaign immediately, or to schedule it for future delivery. This is useful because you can stagger your email delivery times. For example, you might want to create an email on Friday afternoon that needs to arrive Monday morning. Simply set the scheduled delivery time for Monday morning and the system will do the rest. Certian times of day achieve better open and read rates than others, check your campaign analytics to see what works best for you.
When you’re done here, click ‘Send campaign’ and you will be taken to the payment screen.
9. Payment
The final screen allows you to pay for your campaign. Enter credit card details and you’ll be charged and the campaign will be scheduled.
Further reading and tips
Remember: if you are importing a lot of new subscribers, you will have to wait for your list to be approved. This is to avoid sending to subscribers whose details we are not allowed to use. BE PREPARED to wait 24 hours for large amounts of new subscribers to be approved.
Remember: This system has been created for ease of use and general applications…if you have something different to send, contact web@ibo.org
Remember: You should always check you have the latest email lists before you send. Mailbuild will track unsubscribes and avoid sending people information they don’t want, but it will not automatically add new subscribers in external databases.
Remember: You should not send files to hundreds of addresses via email as an attachment. You should always try and upload the file to a website and send a link.
More general advice on creating great e-newsletters is available on the Campaign Monitor website. Campaign Monitor is the new name for Mailbuild.
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