Email Marketing
We're proud to release to you the first major step towards the full integration of Email Message Creation into Lyris HQ. As this is the first in a number of updates, you will notice a simplified workflow and may wonder where some features went. This topic addresses some of the most common questions you may have.
If there are particular features you need but do not see in the new interface, you can still access them by clicking Launch EmailLabs in the left navigation bar and using the original interface. Any messages created there will be available in the new interface and vice versa.
Additionally, if you would like to view a live presentation of the new interface, please feel free to join an instructor-led online presentation.
Presentations will be held on the following dates:
Friday, January 16 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM PST
Tuesday, January 20 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PST
Thursday, January 22 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PST
The login URL is here:
http://lyris.na3.acrobat.com/emailmessaging
To enter, please log in as a “guest” and enter your full name. A phone number will be provided once you enter the presentation.
Now, on to the questions:
Why can't I create a text-only message?
The ability to send a text-only message is not currently available in the new message creation workflow. We expect to see this functionality by the end of February. You can still create text-only messages in the original interface.
Where did the personalization and mail merge options go?
The wizard to personalize the from name, from email, subject line and message body is not yet available. We expect to see this functionality again by the end of February. If you want to personalize a message you can simply insert the tag manually. All personalization tags are formatted like this: %%Demographic Name%% . Example: %%First Name%%.
How can I choose my character set or encoding or disable my tracking?
The message settings options are not yet available. We expect to see these back by the end of February. This includes character set, encoding, physical mailing address, and the ability to disable tracking. All of those settings are available in the original interface if you need to access them. The default settings for all of these are:
Character set = US-ASCII
Encoding = 7-bit
Tracking = On for both text and HTML
Physical Mailing address = Off
Where can I find enhancers?
The ability to create and insert enhancers is not yet available. We expect to see the ability to insert the enhancer by the end of February. The ability to add new enhancers will be available sometime in the second quarter of 2009. If you need to insert an enhancer and know the enhancer’s name, you can insert it manually. Additionally, we've added the ability to insert the unsubscribe enhancer while using the new interface. If you need to insert any other enhancer, you can still do that in the original interface by clicking Launch EmailLabs in the left navigation bar.
Where is my proof test option?
The ability to send a test to your proof list is not yet available. You can do a Quicktest in the new interface or you can go back to the original interface to use a proof list. We expect to have new functionality to replace the proof list.
How do I copy my message to make a new one?
Currently you cannot copy a previous message to create a new message in the new interface. We expect to see this functionality back by the end of February. Until then you can copy messages using the original interface.
How do I stop my scheduled message?
Currently you cannot stop a message in the new interface. If you need to stop a scheduled message, you can do so in the original interface. You can, however, pause “in progress” messages to stop them from deploying. You'll then need to fully stop them in the original interface.
Can I associate my message with a category?
No. We have removed the category classification system from the new interface. Sometime in the third quarter there will be a new Web 2.0 tagging system in its place.
I have templates in the original interface Can I access them when using the new message creation workflow?
In addition to the 18 default templates provided, you can use the existing templates that reside in your current EmailLabs account. They appear under "My Templates.” There is one difference, however: the new interface no longer recognizes the old editable regions. We are not currently supporting locked down regions; however, we expect a new and improved templating system later in 2009 that will allow greater control over the templates.
Where did all those images in the Asset Library come from?
All images and files in the Content Library are available as assets in the Asset Library. Adding content to either area populates the other. Note that assets from Hot Banana are not yet available in the Asset Library.
I need to create a new template. Where do I go to do that?
To create a new custom template to use in the new message creation workflow, you must use the original interface. However, the process is much simpler now since you no longer have to define editable regions.
I need Dynamic Message Assembly. Where can I find it?
We chose not to move the current Dynamic Message Assembly function into the new message creation workflow so we could spend more time creating an improved system. However, we do not expect to release that new system until later in 2009. If you are familiar with how the code works you are free to insert it into the message by hand or you can use the wizard in the original interface to pull together the code and create your message. Be on the lookout for a new and improved process later in the year!
Where are my system messages?
System messages (e.g., Welcome and Double Opt-In messages) are available in the original interface. We'll be adding a separate area for system messages in the future.
I don’t see my new message listed on the Messages page. Where is it?
For now, you must click the Check for New Data button to see updates to the Message List. This is required for changes to a message name, subject, etc., as well as status changes.
None of my lists show up in the "To" field.
Those with a large number of lists may see a slight delay in the display of their lists. This is due to the large amounts of data transferred. We are working to speed up those load times.
Why don't all my messages have thumbnails on the Messages page?
Currently only “sent” messages have thumbnail images generated for them. In the next few months we'll be adding thumbnails for all messages.
If you have any other questions or comments, please feel free to use the Feedback link in the upper right of the Lyris HQ interface. The entire product team receives these emails and reads them.