Email Templates (HTML)

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Rebecca Timberlake 2
Rebecca Timberlake 2 ✭
Eighth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Photogenic
in Blackbaud Luminate Online® & Blackbaud TeamRaiser® Discussions
Does anyone have any resources on HTML email templates that can be used in LO emails? 


I am finding that we are simply reusing the same template over and over for all of our messages since the email designer in LO is so difficult to use and I don't know HTML well enough to code emails from scratch.


Is there a service out there somewhere that would allow us to create an email using a drag and drop designer (like Mailchimp) and then somehow export the HTML code so we could use it in LO?  I know I may have some issue with images since they will need to be updated with images in our LO Library, but I just need a way to easily design an email and then pop the code into LO.


Thanks for the help!
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  • Chris Cain 2
    Chris Cain 2 ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Photogenic
    Hey Rebecca - I've seen some orgs take industry-standard responsive templates (Litmus is one that comes to mind, here is another from Dyspatch I've seen recently that is easy to use: https://playground.dyspatch.io - also see screenshot below) and drop the code into an LO stationery (inserting the LO content placeholder tag [[S63]] into the main body area of the message) and replacing links and image references (you may need to briefly flip over to the 'code view' for the initial paste and find/replacing some of those placeholder images)

    Also just a note that an improved WYSIWYG editor is being tested as we speak and is looking to roll out to Luminate in the coming months.

    e327a2357173bd7b080120622be6caeb-huge-1.
    e29a9f28c98d5ea9c85e3af068994bfd-huge-2.


    you can then of course send yourself test messages or leverage the Email on Acid tool to preview this new template message.


    -Chris
  • Shiloh Fallon
    Shiloh Fallon ✭
    Ancient Membership Facilitator 1 Photogenic
    There are also kits available with mobile responsive templates in the Resources tab above:

    New Updated Responsive Welcome & Donor Series Kit

    End-of-Year Email Campaign Kit
  • Rebecca Timberlake 2
    Rebecca Timberlake 2 ✭
    Eighth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Photogenic
    Thank you for your help!   I actually found a great tool that will allow me to build the responsive emails with a WYSIWIG designer and then just export the HTML.  It seems to be working beautifully!!! 


    I am looking forward to seeing the new designer in LO when they release that! It will be such a great tool to have.

    https://beefree.io/ 


     
  • Grace Rose Khalsa
    Grace Rose Khalsa ✭
    Ninth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Name Dropper Photogenic
    Chris, re your below - can you give any hints - will this incorporate some of the drag-and-drop functionality that was in Luminate Beta? #CuriosityQuestion :-)


    Cheers,

    Gurukarm

     

    >snip<


    Also just a note that an improved WYSIWYG editor is being tested as we speak and is looking to roll out to Luminate in the coming months.

  • Philip Nawrocki
    Philip Nawrocki ✭
    Ancient Membership Facilitator 3 Name Dropper Photogenic
    Chris Cain‍ 'a couple of months' meaning end of calendar year or Q1 of next year?


    I have a lot of internal people that would really like this as they send coaching emails.


    Will this roll out to all modules in Luminate of just email?


    Thanks,


    Phil
  • Chris Cain 2
    Chris Cain 2 ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Photogenic
    hey Philip Nawrocki‍ & Gurukarm Khalsa‍  - I definitely don't want to speak out of school, or contradict anything official from the Products team, but I understand that there will be more details (including a way to signup for the early adopter program) discussed in the next Luminate Product Update Briefing on Oct 20.
  • Kadesha Washington
    Kadesha Washington ✭
    Eighth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Name Dropper Photogenic

    Gurukarm Khalsa:

    Chris, re your below - can you give any hints - will this incorporate some of the drag-and-drop functionality that was in Luminate Beta? #CuriosityQuestion :-)


    Cheers,

    Gurukarm

     

    >snip<


    Also just a note that an improved WYSIWYG editor is being tested as we speak and is looking to roll out to Luminate in the coming months.

     

    THIS was the main takeaway from Luminate Beta. I absolutely loved this feature and it made creating emails much easier!


    Now Beta was not without its issues and I know that the testing platform has been discontinued. However, I do hope they bring the drag/drop functionality to the current LO product. Word around bbcon was that we might see inklings of this very soon. How soon? Not sure. The product update in later October should give more indication.

  • Alexandra Silver
    Alexandra Silver ✭
    Ancient Membership Facilitator 1
    Hi Rebecca, thank you for sharing the BeeFree link!


    When you use the html from that site, do you copy it all into the email body in Luminate, and then select a blank stationery?


    Best,

    Alex
  • Rebecca Timberlake 2
    Rebecca Timberlake 2 ✭
    Eighth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Photogenic
    That is correct.  After the email is created there is an option to copy the HTML.  I do that and then just past it into the HTML editor in Luminate. 


    You have the option of downloading a file with the HTML and any images tat you're using or just copying the HTML and leaving the images in BEEPro.  I typically just copy the HTML so I don't have to deal with the image library in LO.  We haven't had any issues yet.


    Also, if you are going to consider using BEE Pro make sure you check out the Nonprofit page. You can get the service for free.  https://beefree.io/bee-pro/nonprofits/ 


    Hope that helps!
  • Alexandra Silver
    Alexandra Silver ✭
    Ancient Membership Facilitator 1
    It does, thank you!

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