Getting Started with the Email Designer

Welcome, in this video, I will show you how to - design an email from scratch using the Email Designer. When you open the Email Designer, the first page you see is the homepage. This is where you can access - the email’s properties, select the template, access - learn and support content, as well as upload external content. In our case, we would like - to start with a blank canvas, so I will simply click - on the create button. Before we get started, let’s take a quick look - at the user interface. On the left is the pallet where - you can access components, content navigation, and - personalization functionality. In the center is the workspace. This is where you will design your email. On the right is the settings pane. Depending on which element - you are manipulating, the different style - settings will appear here. On the top is the toolbar. To access the home screen, click on the house icon on - the left of the toolbar.

The Edit dropdown allows - you to access the plain text as well as the HTML editor. The HTML editor allows enhanced - editing of the content. You can copy and paste external - HTML code into the editor, but you will need to add specific tags to make it compatible - with the Email Designer. Let’s return to the specific editor. In the top center of the toolbar, you find the delivery name. I’ve called my email - delivery, welcome email. When you click on the name, the home screen will open - up on the Properties page. This is where you define the - from email address and name as well as the subject line. Let’s add the subject line. You can add personalization, - content blocks, such as the date, brand, logo, et cetera, or even dynamic content. Dynamic content will render the content when a predefined condition is met. So for example, you could - show different subject lines depending on the gender of the recipient. Let’s personalize the subject line. To personalize the subject line, we need to add a personalization field. So click on the small personalization icon below the subject line.

You can now choose a - personalization field. Let’s add the first name. You can search or browse the - field you’re looking for. Once you’ve found it, make sure to place the - cursor in the position where you want to add the field and double click on the field to add it. You can now close the home screen.

In the top right corner of the toolbar, you can access Dreamweaver. Should you decide to create - your content in Dreamweaver instead of using the Email Designer. The icon to the right is - the content assistant. The little red dot at the top indicates that the assistant found an issue. Let’s take a look. The assistant reviewed - the content and identified that we have defined the subject line, but that the content is missing. Okay, so let’s add some content. First, we will need to define - the structure of our email. You can find the structure - components in the pallet. Simply drag and drop the - columns onto the workspace. In this step, we are structuring our email into rows and columns. Once you’re satisfied, you will need to define - which types of content you will have in each structure - component on the workspace. Seven component types are available. Button, text, divider, HTML, - image, social, and a carousel.

I will add two images and the link to the social - media sites to my email header followed by text. This is where the main message will go.

And then I have a section - with product listings in mind with images, text, and a button.

You can see here that it is possible to add more than one content component to the structure component. The photo will be text. We’re now ready to add the - actual content to the email.

I will start with a header - and add my company logo. To add an image, click - on the Browse button and either drag and - drop or select the file.

The social component - needs to be customized. You can add the specific links, add or remove social media - icons or change the style. Next, I’ll add the main - image and modify it.

You can modify your image using - the integrated Creative SDK. To access this functionality, click on the Creative SDK logo.

I will add some text to my image.

I can now modify the text. For example, change the color or the font through the tool bar above. You can also add more - text fields if required. Let’s change the text color to white.

My text is too big and - in the wrong position. So click outside of the text box and now I can grab it and - reposition and resize it. When you’re satisfied, click on Apply, and don’t forget to save.

Next, I’ll add my main message to the text field below the image. All standard text editing - functionality is available. I can change the font, the alignment, bullets, heading styles, and the size. The text color and background are set in the settings pane on the right.

As with the subject line, you can also add personalization fields, content blocks, and dynamic content. I will add the first name.

Finally, I would like to have white text on a black background. Click on the text color - in the settings pane and select white.

Next I’ll have to activate - the background color by moving the slider to the right. You can now select the background color. Let’s populate the product offerings. I’ll add the images, some text, and now I’ll need - to customize the button. Let me change the text - color and the button color.

You can copy and paste content by clicking on the duplication icon. I will have the same button design for both product listings, but I would like to point the - buttons to different URLs. So I will add a separate - link to each button.

Now I only need to add some text.

Last but not least, the footer.

Let me add some text, and now I will customize the text.

Let’s add an unsubscription - link to the footer.

Highlight the text and - click on the link symbol. There are several options available. You can add an external link, link to a predefined landing page, or add a subscription or - unsubscription to a service.

These services need to - be defined in campaign. For our purpose, I will add the unsubscription - to this newsletter.

You can remove any element by - clicking the trash can icon. Once you’re satisfied with your email, you can view and modify the mobile display of your email and then save it, or if you’re not satisfied, - you can go to the home screen, click on Create, and then start over. -