How to Compose a Professional Email Using HTML

HTML email is visually appealing.

HTML emails have several advantages, including a strong visual appeal. With HTML, you can make your email appear with images and text formatted in a that you have specifically designed before sending. To send an HTML email, you must know how to write and edit HTML. This language is among the simplest programming languages, but it can still take time if you have not previously worked with the language. When you know HTML, you will have an easy time sending an HTML email message.

Things You'll Need

• Basic editor

Instructions

1. Open your basic HTML editor. You can use Notepad or TextEdit, depending on your operating system, but you will need to set preferences to "plain text." This prevents the software from adding in formatting for you. You want your document to be absent of any formatting, because you are formatting it using HTML tags.

2. Create your email in HTML. Many email programs are unable to handle complicated tags such as HTML tables (SlipStick.com). Therefore, it is best to use basic tags such as styles and images to make your email look the way you would like.

3. Open your email program. You can use Microsoft Outlook, Gmail, Yahoo! or any other email service. Just make sure you have your preferences set as "HTML" email to begin editing.

4. Copy and paste your HTML email into the editor. You can also import the document in many email programs. In any case, the goal is to get the text of the document you wrote into the body of the email you will send.

5. Test your email. Start by sending a version to yourself. It can be hard to ensure your graphics and layout will turn out just the way you want them to. As a result, it is best to test and adjust before sending any important document.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use an HTML editor like Dreamweaver, you do not have to know HTML. These programs convert your work directly into HTML. Similarly, online HTML email services are now available that will allow you to lay out an email and then convert it to HTML. These options are best for an individual who is not familiar with HTML, but without a knowledge of HTML they can be hard to control.

References

• SlipStick Systems: HTML Mail
• New Circle Consulting: Compose HTML Emails in Gmail