When Sending Group Emails, choose Email Composer if you want to create a standard email with text and graphics, similar to what you might send from Gmail or Outlook.
Note: The other email creation option is Email Builder Using Email Builder.
Email Composer consists of a series of steps.
Step 2: Use the list previously selected, or make changes here. There is an option to edit the list, add more recipients, and add CC and BCC addresses. You can also choose to send a notification that the email was sent.
Note: A push notification cannot be sent if the email is to be scheduled to be sent later. This is done in Step 5.
Step 3: By default, the email sender will be you. But you can choose any other group officer or the general group email. (This email is set in the Contact Information tab of the Group Settings.)
Step 4: This is where you compose the email itself. Add your subject and optional introduction, and use the handy menu of mail merge fields for personalization. If you want to start with an email template Email Templates, click the one you want and it will populate in the empty field below. Or just start in the empty field with your own text and images.
Note: If you are including a URL, be sure to include the http:// or https://. Videos and animated GIFs (or other formats) should not be embedded, as they will likely be stripped out by mail clients as malware. The only way to include motion graphics/video is through a URL.
Step 5: If your group has upcoming events, each event will be listed as a potential checkbox to include in your email. If you want to include an RSVP link for an event within the email text from Step 4, a handy copy-paste insert is included to the right (be sure to include the brackets).
Step 6: If you want the email sent later, choose a send date and time. Otherwise leave these fields blank. For footer options, the default footer contains sender details and an Unsubscribe link. You can choose to include only the Unsubscribe link, or choose not to include the footer.
At the bottom are options to send yourself a test email or preview on-screen. You can also save as a draft if you want to continue working on the email. When the email is ready to go, click Save and Send.
Once sent, you can view live opens and clicks Opens & Clicks, or publish the email as a news article News.