8/27/14

IFPUG CMC

How to Draft an eBlast

Step 1 – Log in to Constant Contact

http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp

Step 2 – Enter Credentials

Username = ifpug2; Password will be communicated separately

Step 3 – See the Initial Screen

Note List of recent eBlasts sent; we will copy one to make a new draft

Step 4 – Select an Earlier eBlast to copy

Place Cursor in the Copy column and click on it

Step 5 – See the Edit Screen

Start editing the copy to compose the new draft – first change the email name

Step 6 – Update the email Name

Step 7 – See email Name Updated

Step 8 – Edit Header Options

Step 9 – Edit Header Options

Update the Subject field; other fields need not change; click [OK] when done

Step 10 – Edit Date

Place Cursor on date and click on it to open the Edit Date screen

Step 11 – Edit Date

Use the Edit Date screen to change the date; click [Save] when done

Step 12 – Edit Headline for First Article

Place cursor in the headline and click to open the edit screen; note control button with options: move; edit; copy; delete

Step 13 – Edit and Save

Overtype the headline text; note editing controls and use as needed; click [Save] when done

Step 14 – Edit Text of Article

Place cursor in the article and click to open the edit screen; note control button with options: move; edit; copy; delete

Step 15 – Edit and Save

Edit the article text; note editing controls and use as needed; click [Save] when done

Step 16 – Save Changes

Constant Contact automatically updates every few seconds; to be sure your last changes are saved, click the [Save] button

Step 17 – Send Test

Click the Preview button to see the screen that lets you send a test

Step 18 – Fill out screen and send test

Update the email address screen and the test message, then click on the [Send a Test] button; note you may need to log out and log back in to change these fields.

Step 19 – Subsequent Edits

After you log out and log back in later, to pick up where you left off, select the draft and click on the Edit icon

8/27/14

IFPUG CMCAdditional Notes

1. If the draft being created has more articles than are wanted, just use the [Delete] button in the Edit Control to delete the headlines and article text of the articles not wanted.

2. If the draft being created has fewer articles than are needed, just use the [Copy] button in the Edit Control to create copies of headlines and articles, then use the [Move] button to move them where you want them.

3. Separator bars are themselves editable blocks; copy and move where needed and/or delete superfluous ones.

4. Copy and paste from another document can get tricky – it works best if the source is unformatted plain text.

5. Not covered today: How to finalize and send the eblast6. Not covered today: How to insert pictures and graphics7. Not covered today: Using the html editor to adjust the formatting to your

precise specifications