Compose message

The compose message window allows you to create the message to be sent to a distribution list.

Message composing is achieved just like in any standard e-mail client: type the message Subject, insert any needed Attachments*, specify an e-mail recipient (only used for the email preview feature), and type the message text. In case the text needs special alphabets (non-Latin based), you will have to first set the Encoding (default encoding can be modified in the Advanced Settings window).

Tags can be inserted and used by pressing the tag buttons (#) next to Subject and To fields in order to send personalized mail headers.

Warning: The encoding for the message must be specified before typing the message in order to get the correct results. Failing to set encoding prior to text typing may result in unreadable text.

The page shows two text areas:

• In the main area, where the long toolbar is placed, you can insert formatted text to generate an HTML-style message. You can also insert images and links, and you can check (and modify) the HTML code automatically generated by clicking, at any time, on the Show code button in the upper bar.
   
• In the Plain text area, you can type the message text in the plain text format. Some recipients may not be able to display messages in the HTML format, therefore it's important to provide an alternative format for the contents, without any images and/or links. Plain text can be automatically generated starting from the formatted text by clicking on the Text from HTML button when finished typing the message.

To send customized messages (as opposed to generalized messages), in the message subject line and body (both in the HTML section and in the plain text section) you can insert Tags. Each tag is actually a field reference: when the message is sent, the tag is replaced by value read from the recipients text in the specified field. For instance, if the list includes a "BusinessName" field and an "Address" field (field names can be modified), by typing in the message body a text like:

Messrs. #businessname#
#address#

the recipients will receive a customized message like (example):

Messrs. The Coca Cola Company
Atlanta, GA

Since field names can be modified, it is also possible to use "fix" tags (field name independent tags) that refer to the field number (#1# #2#, and so on up to #10#). Field numbers can be found in the Fields window. Three special tags are also provided: #listname# which is replaced by the name of the list to which the message is sent; #emailmanagement# replaced by the e-mail address to which Subscriptions/Unsubscriptions are sent (this will allow recipients to easily remove their address from the list); and #systemdate# which is replaced with current date, formatted according to Windows' settings.

The edited message can be saved in the .eml format (compatible with most e-mail clients) by clicking on the Save button.

To create a new message you can start from scratch (with the New or Choose template buttons) or, using the Open button, open a previously saved message:

• Import an .eml file (for instance, created with Outlook) with Open / Open .eml file
• Load a message previously sent with Open / Open e-mail from History
• Import a formatted text from an HTML page from the local hard disk, including images, with Open / Import HTML from file
• Import plain text with Open / Import plain text from external file

The button Text from HTML allows you to extract plain text from the formatted HTML text. It is therefore advisable to use it after having finished composing the message.

E-mail tracking features can be added to the message by using Google Analytics and/or TrackReports buttons in the HTML panel; the links in the message are automatically modified according to the chosen tracking system, and the needed code is added. Adding Google Analytics or TrackReports code must always be the last operation performed on the message - both methods modify the final code, therefore users should finish editing the mail first. Tracking the message using both systems is possible; in this case, user should add Google Analytics tracking first.

Before sending the message, it is possible (and strongly suggested) to verify how the message will be shown in e-mail clients, by using the E-mail preview button. E-mail preview feature will use sample sender data defined in My personal data section in Fields screen.

It is possible to perform a spam-score check on the fly, while editing the message by using the Spam check button, spam score checking is based on popular SpamAssassin engine, one of the most common antispam filters within e-mail servers. By using this advanced SendBlaster feature, you will avoid your message from being considered as spam by mistake.

*Attachment functionalities are available in the Pro edition.