Although images are great for adding interest to your emails, how your customer may receive and view the email should be considered. Many email carriers, including those like Gmail and Aol Mail, automatically block images unless if the user accepts images from the sender, which makes all the hard work you spent perfecting images and graphics on your template sometimes go by unseen.

Because images do not always appear on emails, you want to make sure that your email still has meaning without images. Images can be great additions to your email, but you do not want to put the bulk of your message or text in the images. Without images, you still want your email to tell your customers what is most important, i.e. the special promotions, deals, or products you are offering.

Of course, a great way to let your images be visible to your readers is to remind them to add you to their address or contact list so that your images will always be visible. A sure-fire way to test to see if the email is clear without images is to send a test email to preview how it looks. Although images can add a lot of visual interest to an email, make sure that your overall message will still shine through.

With so many free and subscription template options out there, it may be hard to know whether you are getting a quality product or not. When finding new templates to use, you may want to keep a few things in mind to be sure you are getting a product that works.

Look for contact information on the web site. If you have issues with a template, you should be able to contact the web site for technical support and advice on using the template.

Many web sites pre-test their templates to make sure that they are compatible with different email providers. With a template that has already been tested, you can save time, money, and aggravation later.

In addition, you want to make sure you are getting what you pay for. If you are investing a large amount in downloading templates or building email campaigns, you want to make sure the company you are using is worth the money. With a free template download, you may not expect a lot. However, if you are investing in your templates or campaigns, then you want to make sure the company offers the right services, including technical support, training, informative articles, and anything else you may need. StreamSend is a great company that offers these services and more.

Searching for professional template providers and campaign managers may take time, but in the end, you will find that a great company is worth the time and money spent.

If you are new to email campaigns and using templates or are looking for new ideas, online communities are great places to start. You can share and see ideas from other business owners and users of email campaigning.

Look for forums and message boards on email campaign and template web sites or other online communities. You can ask questions about problems you may be having in your campaign or answer other peoples’ questions. In addition, you can get ideas about templates to use, how to customize your templates, and techniques for conversions.

You can also learn about using different campaign strategies, which could open your business up to more customers. Whether you have been in the business for a while or are just starting, online communities are a great place to gain and share knowledge.

When planning an email campaign, you may be focusing on elements like templates, graphics, pictures, or your customer list. All of these are important considerations, but when it comes to actually writing and sending the email, you should be sure not to overlook one of the most important, yet simplest, parts of the email: the subject line.

The first thing your customer sees, the subject line is responsible for catching your readers’ attention and making them want to open your email and read it. To write an effective subject line, you should take some elements into consideration.

You want your subject to say what is in the email but in an interesting and unique way. For instance, if you are advertising a 15% off sale, you should say more in the email than just “15% off sale.” Instead, you can include specific items or reasons for the sale: “15% off All Seasonal Decorations” or “Take 15% off Our 2010 Bestsellers.” Both subject lines give your reader enough information while still piquing their interest.

Another element to successful subject lines is length. You want to include the right information, but you want to make sure you do make your subject line too long where it gets cut off. The above examples also are short enough to provide the reader just the right amount of information.

After you spend time and money perfecting your email message and template, it is a shame if you find out that the email is incompatible with some email providers. To avoid this email fail, testing your email is vital.

Your email recipients could be using Outlook, Thunderbird, Gmail, Hotmail, Yahoo, Aol Mail, or any other type of email provider. Each email provider may have different configurations for email display or different standards and limitations, so you should make sure that your email looks good in each provider. The easiest way to do this is to send a test email to a variety of platforms. The test email also gives you an opportunity to check for any last minute typos or errors and make corrections.

A second way to insure that your email is friendly for all email services is to use templates or campaign management (like from StreamSend) that has pre-tested it products to ensure usability. These templates have already been tested to perform in each platform, so you can be sure that your emails will be sent without a hitch. Because you have spent time and effort perfecting your campaigns,  make sure what ends up in your customers’ inboxes is just as perfect.

In the time of social media, there are many ways to increase your presence online. One popular tool many businesses utilize is a weblog, and an easy way to inform your reader about your blog and updates is through your email campaigns.

One way to use your blog in your emails is by sending out each new post. The email template can have a place for the update and links to the actual blog site where customers can leave comments and find other blog entries. Another way to send blog update announcements is just to send a teaser email that contains an excerpt. Readers can then follow links from the email to read the full entry.

Another option is to include a link to your blog in each email you send. Depending on what template you use, you may have a dedicated section for a link to your blog and possible updates that your customers will see in each email you send, providing them with just another way to connect to your business online and possibly make purchases.

In the time of social media, there are many ways to increase your presence online. One popular tool many businesses utilize is a weblog, and an easy way to inform your reader about your blog and updates is through your email campaigns.

One way to use your blog in your emails is by sending out each new post. The email template can have a place for the update and links to the actual blog site where customers can leave comments and find other blog entries. Another way to send blog update announcements is just to send a teaser email that contains an excerpt. Readers can then follow links from the email to read the full entry.

Another option is to include a link to your blog in each email you send. Depending on what template you use, you may have a dedicated section for a link to your blog and possible updates that your customers will see in each email you send, providing them with just another way to connect to your business online and possibly make purchases.

A great way to entice customers to read your emails is by offering special discounts and promo codes. Email-only specials can build customer trust and also give them an opportunity for more purchases. Whether you are highlight specific products or offering general discounts, an email is a convenient way to let a special group of customers know about your deals.

Use a template like the Product Showcase Template from Email Template Pro or templates from StreamSend to highlight your special promotions. Include pictures, enticing graphics, and text to spice up your campaign, and do not forget to include key facts like the promotion, when it starts and ends, applicable promotion codes, and exclusions. A special email-only promotion code will also help you track how many purchases came from customers on your email list, which may help you know how effective your email campaign is overall.

If you are a new business or new to online marketing, building your brand can be an important aspect in creating a successful company. In an email, you can let your customers know what kind of company you are, along with what you are selling. You can build your brand through an email in a few key ways.

Incorporate Social Media: In every email, you can include links to your web site, Twitter feed, Facebook profile, Blog, or any other social media site. These allow for your customers to connect with you in multiple ways and learn more about your business.

Include Pictures: Pictures of your offices, building, store, or employees help personalize your emails and allow customers to get to know your business better.

Introduce Yourself: If you are a relatively new business, an email is a great way to introduce yourself. Include a welcome statement or brief summary about your goals or plans.

Add Color and Your Logo: Use a customizable template to use your color and include your logo in the email. Email Template Pro or sites like StreamSend have templates that are easy to customize and great for branding your emails.

If you are still considering the idea of beginning email campaigns for your business, then you may be thinking about what you should send out. Depending on the type of business, you may need to advertise specials, products, or services you offer. If you are just starting, you may want to start out small and highlight a few special elements of your business.

For instance, if you are introducing new products or services, an email is a great way to let your customer base know, thus generating more awareness and possible sales for your business. You can even use a free template like those on Email Template Pro to highlight and showcase your information complete with pictures, texts, and links.

Another item to include in an email campaign is if you are having special sales or prices during the holidays or any other time. Whether it’s a monthly special or holiday sales, an email is a convenient and practically free way to let your customers know about special deals.

These are just a couple of ideas of what to include in an email campaign; there is practically no limit to what you can include!