How can I send HTML Emails?

[ackerley1]

I have a client who wants a set of various emails that they can send as follow ups on bids. They would like to be able to customize the pictures and content based on the needs. They want them laid out in HTML with some standard generic content as well.

One dilemna is they do not have a website. Now I can host pictures on another server, but what I cannot figure out is if the HTML email can be sent through, Yahoo or other webmail accounts OR do I need a certain program or service to process this?

Any suggestions?

Rob

[chrisJumbo]

Rob, I send HTML emails all of the time just using my Outlook Express system. I don't have any graphics, but as long as the references are valid it shouldn't be a problem.

Keep in mind though, most email clients like Yahoo, MSN, etc., block images as the default. So clients that wish to view the images will need to change their defaults or click the option to view the images when they open the email.

Also, some email clients open the HTML in-line, others make it an attachment.

Finally, test against some spam filters. Our emails many times end up in people's bulk folders even when they aren't solicitations.

[rocky1]

In Outlook Express open a new e-mail go to View |Source Edit - and it will open tabs on the bottom of the e-mail for Edit, Source View, and Preview. There you can edit the HTML just like you would in a regular HTML page.

You can also go to Format | Background and insert background color, pictures, or sound bytes. Defaults are the Microsoft OS sound bytes, otherwise you have to reference those on a website elsewhere. Just remember they do have to download to play so don't load anything drastic there!

You can also go to Format | Apply Stationary | More Stationary | Create New - and create your own stationary. Once created that can be opened in your default HTML editor and edited however you wish.

It's a toss up between embedding images, or calling them off a website. If you call them off the site they will open no matter how many times the message is forwarded. As an embedded image they typically do not forward with the image, except as attachment, and if they do they only forward once.

Anti-virus programs and servers handle images differently in both respects. Some anti-virus programs will occasionally balk at the embedded image, some servers i.e. AOL, Yahoo and MSN don't like calling the image off the other server. Personal preference there is dependent upon need. If it's only going out to the prospective bidder and not subject to be forwarded I'd embed the image. However Outlook express does not allow a great deal of formatting in that respect.

One resolve would be to create the stationary and open it in Word where you can embed the image, or use Outlook instead, however Outlook handles the stationary altogether differently that Outlook Express, so stationary created in Outlook Express doesn't work well in Outlook.

Pretty much anything you can do with HTML you can do with the Outlook Express stationary. Once you open it in Edit, you'll find it is basically an HTML page through and through.

[maniactive]

The folks at MailChimp have a free download - a 50 page easy-to-read pdf ebook on designing, coding, and managing html email campaigns. Lots of good info, best practices, etc. Good for beginners and as a resource for old email ad pros, too.

http://mailchimp.com/resources/gen_email_design.phtml

[tomhoryn]

This one you can try it for free: http://www.campaigner.com/
It’s pretty good, user friendly and affordable...

[NvestWeb]

We use Microsoft's ListBuilder service and MS-Publisher with a free ListBuilder add-in for a speedy creation and upload. You can upload any HTML source. We've learned lessons along the way (meaning it's not as seamless as they say it can be), but even incorporate some affiliate marketing in each issue with HTML code fragments.

Advantages we see are:

1) They manage the email list, subscriptions, and delivery on their servers. We upload the lists and can add/subtract as needed.
2) Users can subscribe/unsubscribe without us.
3) We send double opt-in invites through ListBuilder, i.e., they want to be on our list.
4) We can send targeted, segmented mailings based on the user subscription sign-up "survey" and "profile".
5) We can employ tracking to see who is interested in what.

There are others that do some/all of the above. We liked the simplicity and control of ListBuilder.

P.

[funfan]

Thks bro,
I have studied this stuff for long, but failed.
Thks for the clues.
:)

[funfan]

Thks bro,
I have studied this stuff for long, but failed.
Thks for the clues.
:)

[TrafficProducer]

Remember Spam/Hacking HTML

I may be OK if they are TRUE Op-In emails:

A number of users automatically delete HTML emails because:-

a) They fear that it may have a Virus embedded.
b) The have Keylogers or other Spyware attached.
c) They have Tracking code, this will show the email if alive and the email may be sold to spammers as being OK to post to.
d) Download time.

[lukkyjay]

Yahoo mail will allow him to do hyperlinks. But he really wouldn't want to do more than that because a good percentage of emails he sends out won't get viewed correctly. He shouldn't be sending out html emails if he doesn't have a website, that should be the first priority.