Part 3c: Creating Custom Templates

There are two parts to creating custom templates; first you will need to create merge tags that will function as your custom template wizard. Then you will need to create content using your new template. While this might seem complicated at first, it is simple once you get the hang of it.

1. To create a custom template, go to Content: Templates and click the create new template button:

   

2. Enter the content Name, Description, From:, To: and Subject, just like you would for other types of content.

3. Click to the HTML Message tab and paste in your HTML design.

   These next steps explain how to create the fields for your custom template wizard. Beforehand, it is helpful to categorize your template into three types of fields: lines of text, paragraphs, and images. For example:

   

4. After pasting your HTML into the HTML Message tab, click insert field:

   

5. Select the Template tab on the far right:

   

   The Template tab is where you create the merge tags for each line, paragraph, and image that you would like to use with the template wizard.

6. Choose line, paragraph, or image. After filling in the description and clicking insert, you will be returned to your HTML code. Scroll down to the bottom of the code section, and look for a merge tag like this:

   ##line "Date"##

7. Cut the merge tag and paste it into your template in the appropriate place. For example, if you create a line of text for the date, your HTML might look like this at first:

   <span class="boldblue">October 25, 2005</span>

   After replacing the date with the merge tag, the HTML should look like this:

   <span class="boldblue">##line "Date"##</span>

8. Repeat these steps for the rest of your template lines, paragraphs, and images.

   Note: to insert unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of your message, click insert field and the Unsubscribe tab:

   

   Select whether the unsubscribe instructions should be for this list or all lists, and whether to use the "long" or "short" directions. After clicking insert the unsubscribe tags will be at the bottom of the message. If desired, cut the tags and paste them into the appropriate place within your HTML design.

9. When you are done inserting the template merge tags, click to the Advanced tab:

   

10. Select "yes" for the question that asks if this content is a template:

    

11. Click save and test.

12. If necessary, click edit and you will be returned to the HTML Message tab.

    If desired, you can also use the merge tags in the Text Message tab.

Now that you have created the template, you are ready to create new content using your template.

1. Go to the Content tab and select "New Content from Template."

2. Select your custom template from the pull-down menu. Fill in the fields and click OK when done.

Notes:

• For the paragraph fields, you can enter text or HTML. If you enter HTML, select the checkbox for "this is already HTML (do not convert)."

• Click the back button on your browser if you want to make edits via the wizard.

What's next?

• Part 4a: Segments
• Return to the Getting Started main page