Clicking on the yellow button New message will initiate a step-by-step plan for creating a message.
Getting started
Once you click on New message, you will see the following step-by-step plan:
The step-by-step plan consists of four steps:
Step 1 – Properties
When you enter the New message submenu, you can choose your message properties: the name, message type and unsubscribe package.
- Choose a descriptive name for your message. Example: Newsletter Prospects June 2023. This is not your subject line. The name you choose for your message is for internal use only.
- Choose the message type Email for sending email messages and message type SMS for sending text messages.
- Select an unsubscribe package or select No unsubscribe package. You select the last option when you are sending a service message for example. If you do not have an unsubscribe package yet, create one in the settings first. You can read more about the unsubscribe package in the article: Permissions.
The Author field will be prefilled with your username and the Creation date is automatically filled with the date on which the message is created.
Step 2 – Delivery
Once you have completed step 1, you will enter the screen for step 2 for composing your message. In step 2 you will fill in the inbox fields of your message. This includes the following: ‘To’ field, sender name, subject line, snippet, domain and reply address.
Inbox field To
By default Spotler fills the inbox field To with the recipient’s email address. After all, the recipient is familiar with this address. Do you prefer using the recipient’s first name, last name or both? Click on the drop-down menu at the end of the inbox field.
Inbox field From
The inbox field From is prefilled by Spotler with the company name that has been set up in your Spotler account. You can change this if desired.
Inbox field Subject line
Fill this field with the subject line for your email message.
|
Subject line personalization Click on the button {P} next to the inbox field Subject line. A popup will appear containing several database fields. Pick a database field which you would like to use to personalize your subject line. Don’t forget to add an alternative value. |
The Add A/B testing option
You can apply A/B testing to the From and Subject line fields. A/B testing is an efficient tool to get insight into the preferences of your target group.
Inbox field Snippet
A snippet is the first (top) text in your email that reinforces or complements the subject line and encourages a better open rate. It can be seen as a second subject line. This will be shown directly below the subject line in your inbox. If no snippet has been applied, that place will be the first line of text of your message. In many cases this is "Read Online"or "Webversion".
A snippet is part of a powerful mailing. That is why it is mandatory to fill in, so you can't forget it.
A/B testing is also possible on the snippet. You do this by clicking on Add A/B test in the subject line. Want to know more or do A/B testing? Then read the article Automated A/B testing.
Inbox field Domain
Have you added your domain name to your Account settings? You will then see this domain in the inbox field Domain. Our advice: always use your own domain name. This builds trust in your readers because they will see your domain in each link.
Inbox field Reply address
Your reply address is prefilled. Would you like to use an alternative reply address? You can change it in your Account settings. In the drop-down menu at the end of the inbox field Reply address, you will see all the reply addresses you can choose from.
Step 3 – Message
Once you have completed step 2, you will reach the step 3 screen for composing your message. In step 3 you can edit or view your message. The screen looks like this:
In this screen you can:
- Edit your message’s template.
- Preview your message’s template.
Template library
When you click on Edit, the Template library will appear in a popup. You can select a template you want to use as a starting point or you can use a blank canvas:
You will see the following:
- General templates: select a blank canvas when you want to compose your message from scratch or start with a ready-made template.
- Recent: you can find recently made templates here.
- Saved: when you save a message as a template, you will find it under Saved. If we have made a custom template for you, it will also be stored under Saved.
Working with the old version of the messages editor
Choose a template
Do you have more than one template in your account? In step 3, open the drop-down menu under Template and select the template you want to work from. Make sure to do so before composing your message. You can find a detailed instruction on how to use the old messages editor here.
Are you using the (new) editor for the first time and need help? Go to Messages Editors.