Adding Images to Broadcast Emails
This documentation will show you how to add an image to your broadcast emails in Email Marketing.
Before you start: Guidelines for using images in blast emails
When you choose to add an image to your broadcast email, remember the following things:
1) Design your email so it makes sense without pictures
Some people cannot see images in emails at all. Many others can see images, but their email program will block them until the user requests to see them. In addition, the blind and people with poor eyesight often rely on screenreading software, which can obviously not translate images. Because of this, you need to make sure that your email makes sense without the images.
If the image is critical to the message you are trying to send, rather than just decorative, rethink using the image: Can you include the imporant part in text, and include decorative images around that message? For example, a holiday card image that consists of snowflakes with the message "Happy Holidays" could be made into several snowflake images, plus the text "Happy holidays" written into the email.
If you absolutely must include an image that contains content, make sure that you use "alt tags" on the image itself (alt tags are a good idea for any image; instructions for including these are below), as well as including some text above or below the message that incorporates at least part of the message. For example, the holiday card mentioned above could have an alt text reading "holiday card", and some text below it reading "Happy Holidays from the Class of [class year]!"
2) Be mindful of image sizes
For those who can see images, be considerate about the size of images. This means not only the on-screen size of the images, but the size of the image file as well - even in this day of near-ubiquitous broadband, there are people with slower internet connections. Also, many images can have extremely large file sizes while still appearing small on your screen.
larger than necessary. Edit your photos to the correct size before uploading. If you don't already have a program to do this, try using http://www.shrinkpictures.com/. If you are using pictures taken from a digital camera, you will almost certainly need to resize them; most digital cameras take very large images.
Getting Started
This tutorial assumes that you have access to Email Marketing. If you do not already have access, you can request it through VConnect. Log in to the system, and start creating a new email. In this example, I'm using the default classes template for volunteers; however, these instructions are applicable to all templates.
Open the File Manager
Navigate to Your Group Folder
A second window will open (note: if you have opened this previously, it may be behind another window). This is the File Manager, which allows you to upload images for your emails.
We've organized the file manager for you to keep it clean and easy to find things. Please upload your images into a folder designated with your group's name. Click on the folder named "Group Images" to get to the list of groups.
If Necessary, Create a Folder for Your Group
Within the Group Images folder, you'll see a list of folders for groups. If you see your group listed here, click on it. If your group is not listed, create a folder for your group by entering the name in the box at the top, and clicking on "Create This Folder". Folders should be named in the format of "Class - 19XX" or "Club - Location". Once you've created your folder (if necessary), click on the name of the folder.
Upload Files (part 1)
Upload Files (part 2)
You'll see a dialog box like the one above appear. Note: this box may take up to a minute to appear; please be patient.
Locate and Add Your Image
Navigate to the image you want to upload, and click on it to select. Then click the Open button.
Upload the Image
Return to the File Library
Click the Continue button to return to the File Library.
Insert Image into HTML
Move the Image, if necessary
Your image will now show up in your email! You can now close the file manager window.
If your image did not go where you wanted it to be, you can click and drag it to the correct location in your email.
Complete your message as usual
From here, you may continue editing your email as usual. Save the email when you're finished. Remember, the text version of the email cannot contain images; if you copy and paste the HTML version to get the text
