Universal Email Format

Wonder if anyone can answer this. I need to send mass emails out that will have text, graphics and clickable links. (Kinda like advertisements for Ebay, etc) The problem in the past is that I can't just create a "New Mail" in Outlook or Outlook Express - because other programs can't open the pictures and the format gets all funky.

Is there a way I can create a layout that all email programs can open? I'd rather not send it as an attachment as not all people have Word...and some have Mac. I'm Windows XP, Outlook 2000, Outlook Express programs.

Hope someone can help! Thanks, Stephanie

 

You need to send a HTML email. If you're doing this in outlook express.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/using/howto/oe/personalize.mspx

However, a lot of people filter out HTML these days, as it can often cause nasties to get on your PC.

 

Goldfish,
Just to clarify, as long as I have Outlook Express set to HTML (Rich Text) I can just create a "New Email" , format it the way I want to, insert a picture and everyone I send it to will view it the exact why I formatted it? That seems so easy! Let me know if I'm missing something. Thanks, Stephanie

 

Halo, I had a feeling I'd be talking to you again I will definitely go this route as well. I'll create something in Word and then send it to you.....I bet you're wishing I get a job in the UK real soon, huh?

eternally grateful, Steph

 

Pretty much, yeah. As long as you send the email in RTF, it should be displayed as such. However, as I said earlier, if the reciving end has HTML disabled for security reasons, they will only see a plaintext version of the email.

 

Thats a good idea, but if its like a promotional email I doubt many people will read the pdf. However, if its like a newsletter, then thats probably a good thing. The other plus point is they can save and catalog the file(s) on their own machine, and view it without having to fire up their email program.

 

This is all great advice...thanks so much. Luckily, the people that we'll be sending this to will want to see the whole thing. So I'll work on both! Thanks so much Stephanie