ActiveCampaign Email Marketing Blog » Email Marketing http://www.activecampaign.com/blog Email marketing blog discussing email marketing features, deliverability, new marketing ideas, and more. Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:12:51 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Free Survey Email Template http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-survey-email-template/ http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-survey-email-template/#comments Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:00:21 +0000 Kosal http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/?p=3035

Need to find out how your customer service is going or how your client is perceiving you? Get some valuable feedback from your most loyalest customers with this beautiful blue and grey free survey email template. The bright orange button will surely grab attention as the only focus for a call-to-action. Seeing that businesses can benefit from having a Google Plus page to gain some traction in their organic ranking, we’ve decided to help you out and included a Google Plus social button at the bottom of the template; get some more followers in your Circle!

As always, head over and download your free copy in our free email template gallery here.

]]> http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-survey-email-template/feed/ 0 Social Sharing Updates http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/social-sharing-updates/ http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/social-sharing-updates/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:42:41 +0000 Matt http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/?p=2977

A couple quick updates regarding social sharing:

Link only

You can now (additionally) obtain just the link for each social sharing service, instead of just the linked-icon that we provide, so you can apply the link to any text or image in your mailing.

For example, %SOCIALSHARE-FACEBOOK% returns this icon, linked-to the Facebook post page:

Social Facebook icon

If you’d rather use another image, or perhaps just a text link, you can use this alternate personalization tag:

%SOCIALSHARE-FACEBOOK-LINK%

This will return just the URL, as in this example:

http://YOURACCOUNT.activehosted.com/social.php?c=33&m=33&s=76f410bb411339c68d07a4e2ccb16c7a&ref=facebook

This immediately redirects to the Facebook post page:

http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2F12345

Do this for all other social sharing personalization tags as well. (Just append -LINK to the very end.)

Google Reader removed

We’ve also removed the Google Reader/Buzz share icon as “Note in Reader” no longer works, and Buzz no longer exists. In place of this we have included Google+ sharing. You’ll find the “Share on Google+” link in the “Personalize Message” window:

Screenshot of Personalize Message window

The individual personalization tag for Google+ is %SOCIALSHARE-GPLUS%, and of course %SOCIALSHARE-GPLUS-LINK% will work as well.

]]> http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/social-sharing-updates/feed/ 1 Free Friday: Blue Cloud Email Template with Background Image for Outlook http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-blue-cloud-email-template-background-image-outlook/ http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-blue-cloud-email-template-background-image-outlook/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:49:03 +0000 Kosal http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/?p=2988

With the arrival of winter we’ve design this pretty bright blue email template to remind us how much we’ve already missed summer. With hazy blue clouds and utility poles that give off that hot summer day feel to it, we can only wish that summer isn’t too far away.

We’ve included a bonus here; this email template has a background image that is displaying for Outlook 2007 & 2010. Here’s an old post on how to add background image in Outlook. I will go into details on how we’ve accomplished this for this specific template.

How to Display Background Image in Table Cell

Include the following code into the <html> tag of your document:

xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml"

Example:

<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml">

For this specific template design, we’re going to want to show the logo over the background image in a table cell — unlike our previous post where we wanted the image to show in the background of the body, we’ll want to show the background only in a certain cell. This method create another problem in Outlook; Outlook will add an unwanted 5 pixel spacing underneath this table cell. To solve this little bug, we’ll have to specify a height and width using the code below. You must remember to specify the width and the height for both the <v:image> and <v:shape>.

...
<td background="images/image_9119314.gif" style="background-image::url('images/image_9119314.gif');">

	<!--[if gte mso 9]>
	<v:image xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" id="theImage" style='behavior: url(#default#VML); display:inline-block;position:absolute; height:109px; width:600px;top:0;left:0;border:0;z-index:1;' src="images/image_9119314.gif"/>
	<v:shape xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" id="theText" style='behavior: url(#default#VML); display:inline-block;position:absolute; height:109px; width:600px;top:-5;left:-10;border:0;z-index:2;'>
	<div>
	<![endif]-->

		<table>
		INSERT OVERLAY TEXT OR IMAGE HERE
		</table>

	<!--[if gte mso 9]>
	</div>
	</v:shape>
	<![endif]-->

</td>
...

For this specific email template, the logo (or text) that we want to display over the background image would be contained within the table (or paragraph tags) that is wrapped around using the <v:image> and <v:shape> tags. So remember, the only thing that needs to change in the above code is your height and your width.

]]> http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-blue-cloud-email-template-background-image-outlook/feed/ 0 Free Friday: Warm and Grity Worn-Out Email Template http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-warm-grity-worn-out-email-template/ http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-warm-grity-worn-out-email-template/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:46:08 +0000 Kosal http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/?p=2959

For our typical Friday template release we’re offering a unique template design perfectly coded for businesses offering e-commerce, blogging, travel, education and services. This unique newsletter template shows off a worn-out, grungy design with bold beautiful yellow and brown colors that really stands out over the softer beige in the background. Download your copy by clicking on the template image below:

]]> http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-warm-grity-worn-out-email-template/feed/ 0 Free Friday: Winter Holiday Email Template & Background Image Fix for Outlook http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-winter-holiday-email-template-background-image-fix-for-outlook/ http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-winter-holiday-email-template-background-image-fix-for-outlook/#comments Fri, 02 Dec 2011 23:30:34 +0000 Kosal http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/?p=2890

We’re back from Thanksgiving with a Free Friday blog featuring two free email templates.

With Christmas just a few weeks away and winter is already here, we’re proud to release our first winter holiday-related template for 2011. Send your customer a thank you message or simply wish them a happy holiday with a free coupon gift illustration in this beautiful template drenched in deep winter blue featuring a cozy and warm snowman.

This orange and black template consist of a video screen capture and different orange hues to show that “pop”. There are very small details making this template a must-have with detailed patterns behind the logo with sharp colors and edges ready to impress your client.

The template also feature a repeated background image that works in all major email client including Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, Outlook 2007 and 2010. It’s not a pretty fix by any means but it gets the job done.

Start by including this code to the <html> tag of your document:

xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml"

Example:

<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml">

To get a repeated background image to display in Outlook 2007 and 2010, simply include this piece of code right after the <body> tag:

<!--[if gte mso 9]>
<v:background xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" fill="t">
<v:fill type="tile" src="http://www/url/to/your/background/image/file/for/outlook.jpg" />
</v:background>
<![endif]-->

One issue here is that if you needed a background to repeat horizontally – as with this template – Outlook 2007 does not support the CSS background-repeat. Since we’re applying a background to the body of the email, we’ve created a seperate background image that has a big enough width and height so it shows fully in Outlook.

To have a repeated background image to show for all of the other email client, simply include this code into the body section of your template, perferablly after the <body> tag.

<style type="text/css" media="screen">
background-image:url('http://www/url/to/your/background/image/file.jpg');
background-repeat:repeat-x no-repeat;
background-position:top left;
background-color:#eeae00;
</style>

Here’s what the full code should look like:

<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml">
<head>
...
</head>
<body>
<style type="text/css" media="screen">
background-image:url('http://www/url/to/your/background/image/file.jpg');
background-repeat:repeat-x no-repeat;
background-position:top left;
background-color:#eeae00;
</style>

<!--[if gte mso 9]>
<v:background xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" fill="t">
<v:fill type="tile" src="http://www/url/to/your/background/image/file/for/outlook.jpg" />
</v:background>
<![endif]-->

</body>
</html>

Unfortunately during the time of this template release, we were unable to figure out a fix for the padding issues only seen in Outlook 2007 and 2010.

Regardless, we hope you enjoy these free email templates as much as we enjoy making them.

Do you know of a fix for the padding issue in Outlook or a better work around to displaying repeated background images in Outlook? Please share with our community and post your solution in the comment.

]]> http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-winter-holiday-email-template-background-image-fix-for-outlook/feed/ 1 Improved Integration with Shopify and Unbounce http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/improved-integration-with-shopify-and-unbounce/ http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/improved-integration-with-shopify-and-unbounce/#comments Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:47:11 +0000 Matt http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/?p=2873

Our Shopify and Unbounce integrations have been improved to allow the ability to map more fields into ActiveCampaign. They initially allowed only name and email address to be saved (from your Shopify checkout page, or Unbounce landing page), but now you can choose to map additional fields as well.

Just visit the External Services section of ActiveCampaign, and edit either Shopify or Unbounce. Here you can set up your mappings:

Screenshot of Shopify integration with ActiveCampaign

Screenshot of Unbounce integration with ActiveCampaign

Screenshot of Shopify form

This means more subscriber data coming across for smarter list segmenting and campaign targeting. We plan to include this feature for Wufoo (and future services as well).

]]> http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/improved-integration-with-shopify-and-unbounce/feed/ 0 Free Friday… err, Wednesday Free Email Template http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-err-wednesday-free-email-template/ http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-err-wednesday-free-email-template/#comments Wed, 23 Nov 2011 21:15:01 +0000 Kosal http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/?p=2863

Today we’re releasing an email template ahead of Friday since ActiveCampaign will be close for the Thanksgiving holiday. Our email template today feature a nice clean white look with a hint of blue. This template is perfectly fitted for companies offering service, great for the every day freelance designers and content publishers looking to send out regular blog updates. As always, you can download your own copy at in our email templates gallery. For your convenience, we’ve included a Photoshop file, XML for easy import into the ActiveCampaign email console and personalization tag.

Have a happy and wonderful Thanksgiving everyone!

]]> http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-err-wednesday-free-email-template/feed/ 0 Free Friday: Delicious Email Template http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-delicious-email-template/ http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-delicious-email-template/#comments Fri, 18 Nov 2011 13:00:08 +0000 Kosal http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/?p=2848

It’s Friday… who’s hungry? We’ve cooked up this delicious email template packed with savory goodness for your creative taste buds. Included is a XML file for convenience so you can import this template design right into your campaign. Also included is a PSD Photoshop file for those wanting to make color and button changes. Personalization tags are included for Facebook and Twitter. Head over to our email templates gallery and download a copy.

]]> http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-delicious-email-template/feed/ 1 Free Friday: Free Email Templates http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-free-email-templates/ http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-free-email-templates/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:54:37 +0000 Kosal http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/?p=2827

We fully understand the frustration of trying to design and code your email layout without it breaking all over the place when viewed in your inbox. Your email design is important to your company branding and you’ve worked really hard today – why add more stress? This Friday, we’re going to help you out and lessen your headaches. We’re giving you free email templates.

Because we love each and every one of you, you’re more than welcome to use these email templates any way you see fit. If you’re a customer of ActiveCampaign, we’ve even added some personalized tags and conveniently included an XML file for import. If you’re the creative type and you’re not scared to get your hands dirty, these two email templates comes with a PSD Photoshop file. Don’t like the colors or the shape of a button? No problem, you’re free to change it.

We hope you find these email templates useful as it has been fun for us creating them for you. Happy Friday!

]]> http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/free-friday-free-email-templates/feed/ 1 Add Subscribers from Shopify http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/add-subscribers-from-shopify/ http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/add-subscribers-from-shopify/#comments Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:06:41 +0000 Matt http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/?p=2811

We’ve just added integration with Shopify for customers checking-out from your storefront. If they choose to receive email marketing updates, they’ll be added as a new subscriber in ActiveCampaign.

Screenshot of Shopify check-out form

Right now it sends the customer’s name and email to ActiveCampaign, and we hope to expand it soon to allow other fields to be mapped as well.

You configure your Shopify settings within ActiveCampaign in the External Services section:

Screenshot of External Services section for Shopify

Each individual ActiveCampaign user can set up a connection to their own Shopify storefront, which adds subscribers to the list(s) of their choosing.

For more specific instructions, please see our help doc.

]]> http://www.activecampaign.com/blog/add-subscribers-from-shopify/feed/ 1