Another exciting set of new enhancements in Spectra 2013 centers on HTML emails. We all know how valuable HTML emails are to attract new prospective clients and connect with repeat clients. In Spectra 2013, we made the process to create and send these HTML emails even better.

First, the HTML Email Builder has been completely rewritten, making it easier to use. We’ve also added the ability to make old email templates inactive as well as given you the tools to easily make copies of existing emails.

Next, we’ve given you three ways to add your merge fields to your HTML. First, you can add them right in the HTML preview window! Simply highlight the text you want to replace with a merge field and then select the field that you’d like to use. That’s it! No need to ever see or touch the HTML code. Second, you can insert the merge field(s) directly in the HTML code, just like you’ve always done. Third, you can now copy out a complete list of all the available merge fields for your web designer to use. He (or she) will then be able to insert the merge fields directly into the HTML code before they even give the email code to you. Now, when you import the HTML code, you’re all set to go.

Next, when building HTML emails, it’s always been important to make sure your graphic files are sitting in a publicly available web folder on the Internet. This is so that when a client opens your email, those graphics can be displayed correctly. We’ve made this process much simpler in Spectra 2013. You can now just click one button to have all your necessary graphics uploaded to your personal Stratus Drive™ – a brand new, cloud-based storage service we will provide (more information on this in the coming days!). The upload routine will automatically update all the URLs in your HTML code to point to the new storage location.

Finally, how cool would it be to actually include a picture of your client in their email when you send it to them? Now you can! Simply insert “Main Client Image” or “Main Session Image” in the HTML email. When it comes time to send out the emails, Spectra will take the appropriate image for each client or session, render it into a small jpg preview file, upload it to your Stratus Drive, and then embed the URL in the HTML code before sending it. Each client will receive a personalized email featuring one of the images that your studio has taken. We’re looking forward to hearing all the great ways you will use this new feature to improve your business!

Next article – Adobe Lightroom Integration