Different Options for Creating Email Flyers
There’s more than one way to create a professional looking flyer. In this article, we’ll explain the advantages and disadvantages of each, so you can choose the best option for you.
- HTML Flyers
- Template Flyers
- Custom Flyers
The first type of flyer is an HTML flyer.
If you plan on creating your own HTML flyer, you need to know something about HTML code. The advantage to doing this of course is that you control everything! You handle the design from start to finish.
Just what exactly is HTML code anyway and what does it have to do with creating a flyer?
HTML is a kind of programming code and the main reason people use HTML is because it lets them embed images in their emails. Without that, they’d just be sending a text email out and it wouldn’t be very pretty (See figure 5).
Figure 5 – The HTML code is what actually creates the text and images on the flyer)
The easiest way to explain it is that, even though you can see graphics in your emails, they’re not really there. The images live on a server somewhere, and you put a snippet of code into your email that pulls the picture into the email when people open it.
Why does this matter?
If you’re going to create your own HTML flyers, you have to have a server with enough bandwidth to host all of your images. Keep in mind that can take up a lot of server space.
You also need to make sure you’ve set up your server to deliver it in “Multipart-Alternative MIME format.” Simply put, that means your mail agent bundles your HTML code -- plus a plain text version of your message -- into one email. That way, if your recipient can’t see the beautiful flyer you created with all of your graphics and pictures, at least they can still read a plain text version of your note.
This is where a lot of people go wrong. They don’t realize that they need to either program their emails this way or need to use a professional company, like eCampaignPro™, that handles these details for them.
The second kind of flyer option is template-based. It uses a pre-made template from a company like eCampaignPro™. This option is probably the simplest, in terms of necessary technological know-how.
A template takes care of all the annoying details involved with creating the flyer. You don’t need to know any code since it’s already in the template and, generally speaking, they’re pretty easy to use (See figure 6).
(Figure 6 – Because the code is in the template, you get to write as you would in a Word™ document. And the template takes care of the coding)
Also, you get to put lots of tracking information in a template. You can have multiple links in the email, giving you several opportunities to track how well received the message was.
Another advantage to using a template is that web-based software companies like eCampaignPro™, can keep your flyers and images securely on their server for you to use as often as you like. So you don’t have the large initial cost associated with purchasing your own server or software needed to create and host the flyers.
The disadvantage here is that you’re constrained by the available templates. If you don’t find a design you like, there’s generally not much you can do. However, some software companies, such as eCampaignPro™, offer enough variety in template styles that you’ll likely find several designs you like. And in the rare instance when you don’t, they can custom create a template for you from scratch.
And, of course, if you get the templates from a company that can also email them for you (like, yes, eCampaignPro™) then you don’t need to worry about sending them from your personal email address or signing up with a separate email delivery company.
The third option for sending out flyers is a custom flyer.
In some instances, you may already have some print flyers that you really love. And you’d like to figure out a way to send those through email. Some companies can take these print materials and create image-based flyers for you to email. eCampaignPro™ has service representatives that have done this for many of our clients. The advantage is that you get to send out a flyer you’ve already created (See figure 7).
(Figure 7 – You supply your existing materials and we turn it into an email flyer for you)
The disadvantage is that you can only include one tracking link in the whole message. With HTML or template flyers, you can have multiple links that can be tracked. If you want more information about this, contact customer service at eCampaignPro™ and we’ll take you through the specifics.
You’ve written great copy for your flyer, worked on the perfect subject line so recipients will open the email and read it. And you’ve created the graphic layout! All you need to do now is email it.