[tgags]

Hi,

I volunteered to do an eNewletter for my church. I have done print newletters, and even created some basic websites (using Dreamweaver).

I have been doing a lot of research about eNewsleters and have found some very help information, but the one thing that eludes me is how to get the design into email. Basically, from what I understand, you can create a basic HTML design, but I don't understand how to get that into the email. I try pasting the code into the email, but it just comes in as the code (and when I send it, it come thru as code). ?
Once you create the newsletter design (again, doing it in Dreamweaver, and also know images go on a server), how doe one get it into an email to send?

Thanks for any help.

Kind regards,
Tom

[Photo678]

funny, I was just reading this page....hope it helps a little bit.

http://www.sitepoint.com/article/cod...il-newsletters

[tgags]

Thanks, that was quite informative.

It touched on my question here:

"Once my code works in my Firefox and IE 6 web browsers, I use an email service provider to send my HTML email newsletter to test accounts at Yahoo!, Optimum Online (my internet ISP), another Webmail account, and my business email account that displays in Outlook."

Not sure what he means by an "email service provider". I thought I could test how my design looks by pasting it in an email, then sending it to my yahoo account and view it there. But again, not sure how to get my design into an email. I tried pasting the code, but it comes thru as code, not the design.
I guess the key is figuring out what he means by email service provider, maybe it's that you can't preview it yourself in an email from home (?).

I'll google that topic and see what I can find. I guess I could just go ahead with it from how it previews in a browser. The church is going to have to go with a "Bulk email client" who I would presume will handle getting the newsletter into email format. But it bothers me that 'how to get my HTML design into an email' is so elusive.

Thanks for that link, it was a great read.

Regards,
Tom

[tgags]

I think I found the answer (it was all in the keyword of the search).....

http://www.slipstick.com/mail1/html.htm

The other thing that I seem to be getting out of all the reading about eNewsletters is that HTML is problematic because of all the differenct email clients ppl use, they can handle HTML differently, and some can't handle it at all. Plain text is the best way to ensure all will be able to view it, but there are a few options if you really want to go the HTML route (i.e. send both versions, have a link to the website where non-html users can go and view it. etc.)

Regards,
TG

[Macola]

From having been on both the sending and receiving ends of email newsletters, I'd strongly recommend plain text. Host the newsletter on a website and provide a brief summary in the e-mail, with appropriate links. I personally hate receiving HTML e-mail, but most people don't care. However, you do have to take into account older e-mail clients and variability among configurations. Plain text is the only thing that will work 100%.

[bkelly]

Making a PDF and sending as an attachment could be another option. Most everyone has Adobe Reader.