Creating HTML Emails
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- ********
This is a bit of a newb question but Ive a job interview this week at a large online fashion retailer and am trying to do some reading up on professional standards for HTML emails. Ive done a lot of work for web in the past but any mailouts i have put together have been either in outlook or some service like yourmailinglist. They have only said I need basic html skills and haven't mentioned any web software other than Fireworks in the job description and I've no real clue about the subject outside of this. If anyone has any tips on the production of these it would be a great help, they seem to really like my work and i dont want to make a hash of the interview by missing some simple knowledge
- d_rek0
Sounds like already know everything you need to. There is no 'hidden' or 'specialized' knowledge about HTML emails.
- d_rek0
HTML email is comprised of very basic HTML, no css (some clients can handle inline CSS, but it's safer not to), Tables are usually a must if you're trying to organize columns of content, they're typically not created and/or hosted through your mailing service.... I think that sums it up?.. others feel free to add.
- ********0
This might help: http://articles.sitepoint.com/ar…
- ********0
lifesavers guys
- pizzafire0
good luck
- flashbender0
more:
Guide to CSS support in email clients: http://www.campaignmonitor.com/c…
HTML Email best practices, resources and inspiration: http://www.designlabelblog.com/2…
Email design guidelines:
http://www.campaignmonitor.com/d…The email standards project:
http://www.email-standards.org/Design and Build Email Newsletters Without Losing Your Mind (and Soul)
http://www.smashingmagazine.com/…- Best practice is convert all incoming html email to text, discarding imagescomicsans
- who are you Jakob Nielsen?flashbender
- doesnotexist0
just make it a big image and use <img src=""> in your email. image should show up without people having to push 'load images' .
not set way really, anyone who says there is is full of SHEEEIIT
- and nobody will be able to read that one on a phone********
- and you'll be black listed as spammust_dash
- and nobody will be able to read that one on a phone
- Pixter0
Meet your new enemy: Outlook 2007
- ********0
i know for a fact they use flash stuff in their emails, its quite high end fashion stuff. is that a huge ballache? for all i know im just creating the content then someone else is stitching it together. But then again they might think im a bit more experienced at this due to having an online portfolio (its indexhibit). Christ its so long since i have had to do a face to face interview im in a bit of a flap.
- Stugoo0
They really should not be using flash to be honest as only mac mail supports it.
print this and throw it at them
http://www.campaignmonitor.com/b…
- rascuache0
I do a handful of these bastard emails a week, Litmus is indispensable.
- flashbender0
- Who said anything about
Flash in Email?utopian - fuck dude, it's only 3 posts above this. http://www.qbn.com/t…flashbender
- Who said anything about
- welded0
I think it's all been pretty well covered but I'll add that if they use Flash in their emails then either they are totally clueless so you can say anything you want and look like a savant or they just don't care, in which case you're still in good shape. Good luck!
- ********0
A nice way to introduce flash content, would be to treat the HTML email as a way to channel attention to a webpage including the embedded flash content.
If flash is an issue, how about incorporating a still from the flash content's initial landing page?
Provide an expectation for interactive content -> the user will click and be provided with interactive content on-site.
One thing to research, is how you'll monitor the effectiveness of each campaign (i.e. deal with stats). This is probably something a potential employer will want to hear about.
- ********0
was my mistake, theres mo actual flash on the email, it was on another page once clicked through. thanks a million for all the tips guys
- monospaced0
haha, he used "professional standards" and "html email" in the same sentence. wow.
- ********0
Something I learned this week that I have been doing for years..
Do not EVER leave HTML comments in your email. Each <!-- --> tag costs you one full spam point!
- ********0
Also, why the fuck is anyone even talking about Flash in HTML emails? It is very obvious that this is a terrible practice. It will get your flagged by spam checkers, and 90% of your viewers won't be able to see it.
Other tips:
• Be wary of animated GIFs, they are not fully supported by many readers.
• Always include a link to a hosted version.
• Use custom-content sparingly, unless you're an online retailer, etc—first name is probably the furthest you want to delve into drop-in content.
• Integrate with Google Analytics to supplement your ESP's metrics—for conversion, etc. Very easy to setup, and having these measurable stats is a great validator for your efforts.
• Don't embed content. Either link to images from a web server, or use your ESP's media hosting gallery. Otherwise, you run a high risk of garnering spam points.
• It's very tricky to capture open rate data for people who are viewing your emails as text only. Some services provide text-only metrics, which I still don't understand.
• Don't believe the hype on "industry-specific open rate standards." Your relationship with your customers is not the same as another company's.I don't know. Those are some baseline tips that should help you talk better about email marketing. Good luck.
