How to send an eCard campaign

This is a step-by-step guide to sending your first campaign.

Follow the instructions on this page to create, test, send and view reports for a regular eCard campaign.

Name your campaign

Click Create eCard then enter an eCard Campaign name:

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Choose an eCard design

Select an occasion - such as 'Birthday' or Christmas and then click Select on the eCard design you want to send.

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Click 'Next'

Once you have chosen an eCard design - a green tick will appear on the card design. Click 'Next' top proceed.

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Choose when to send the eCard

There are 3 options for when to send your eCard.  In this case we will choose 'Immediately'.

You can also choose to send your eCard at 'A Specific date/time' or 'An anniversary of a date'.

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Enter a confirmation email

You can leave the confirmation email address as it is or enter a different email address.  

When your campaign has completed sending - an email will be sent to this address.

Click Next when you're done.

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Select a contact list

Select Sample List.  You can also add a new contact list.

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Click 'Add recipients'

Click Add recipients.  You will see a few options on screen.

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Click Cut & paste or type contacts

To keep things simple - choose Cut & paste or type contacts.

Later you can also Import a spreadsheet, Import from Outlook, or Import from LinkedIn

 

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Type your name and email address

Type your name and email address separated by a comma. You can add one contact per line.

Later you can learn how to cut and paste contacts from a spreadsheet.

When you're done entering your name and email address, click Import these contacts.

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Check the number of recipients and click 'Next'

Take a look at the number of recipients added and make sure this is correct.

When you are happy top proceed, click Next

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Compose your eCard

Follow the instructions on the screen to compose your eCard.

To personalise each card with each recipient's name and or company - click on Insert personalisation.

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IMPORTANT:  To replace the first name of each of your contacts - use the tag [firstname].

If sending your campaign to more than one recipient - You MUST use the [firstname] tag so that each recipient sees their name in thier eCard.

 

Select your music

If you have chosen to send an interactive card - you'll also need to select music for your card.  

You can listen to the different music options by clicking the play button.

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Select or add a logo

If your logo is already present - hover over the logo and click Select and proceed to the next step.

Otherwise you can upload a PNG (this is best - especially if the logo has a transparent background), JPG or GIF.

Click Add a new logo and then click Choose File to locate your logo file on your computer. 

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Once you've located and selected your logo - insert your Web Address into the text box.  
Your web address should look like this: www.company.com (i.e. not 'http://')

When you're done, click Submit

Ensure your logo is selected and click Next

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Check your 'Subject & Sender Details' are correct

Check the Subject & Sender Details are correct.

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Preview your eCard

Check the preview of the Card Design & Message.

Make sure you are happy with your message and your logo is displayed above the card.

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IMPORTANT: Check your personalisation tags are included.  To replace the first name of each of your contacts - use the tag [firstname].

You should see the [firstname] tag when previewing your eCard as you can see in the image below.

 

 firstname.jpg

If you're sending an Interactive eCard -  you can also preview the Interactive card.  Make sure you're

Send your campaign!

Well done - you've completed all the steps.  Click the Send button!

 

Reports and Confirmation

Once your campaign has been sent , status will change to Completed on your My eCards page.  

You may need to click 'refresh' on the My eCards page to view status changes.  

Once your campaign has been sent, ekarda will also send you a confirmation email.