Constant Tips: Learn the different ways to style and format your email template

[Nick_S]

 Every Tuesday we'll share tips, tricks, and insights on using Constant Contact and online marketing

Before we get into the nitty gritty of styling your email template, it would be helpful to know how to create an email. If you're just getting started and plan to iterate off the same template again and again, consider making a reusable template.

When creating an email, it's also important to understand what elements make an email easier to read. Your audience only has so much time to dedicate to every email in their inbox, so considering the look and feel and how the content is organized is of paramount importance. Don't forget to review and edit your email header or footer, so that it is reflective of your brand and business.

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The look and feel of your email says as much about your business or organization as the content it contains. Make sure the colors in your email template reflect your brand. You can also change the background color and pattern of the email.

And, of course, format and style the text so that it is clear and easy to read. Try to avoid using too many font styles.

Speaking of how the content is organized, it's important to consider the overall structure. You can add, resize, or style spacers to give content the necessary breathing room or insert a divider so it's clear that the content operates independently from other content. Many people read their emails on their phone now, but you don't want to forget about the viewing experience for people still engaging on desktop computers. Create columns in the email so that similar content can sit side-by-side (i.e. images and product descriptions). Plus, you can mimic the look of your website with a menu of links that will point readers to important pages on your site.

Personalization and calls-to-action are equally important elements in an email to draw the attention of the reader and make them feel like you're speaking directly to them, such as with a personalized greeting tag at the top of the email. Insert and customize buttons that direct your audience to take action on whatever the important initiative is you're trying to promote. Dynamic links are also helpful so that readers only see content that is relevant to them.

And last, but not least, don't forget the power of images in your email. You can adjust the padding around an image so that it works well in concert with the other content, especially text. We also make it easy to edit or replace images while you work. You can also add text to an image while working on the template, saving you time from having to jump to another program.