Creating an Email Template

Email templates are a useful way of advertising your business, while providing a professional image to your email.

email template

For example every time you come to send a new email in Microsoft Outlook, this is the sort of screen that you can have appear. The header and the footer are already in place and all you need to do is type in your message.

Background Information
Outlook offers you the opportunity to use a variety of "templates" already installed with the program. You can see the options available by going to "Actions/New Mail Message using/More stationery...." (see below)

email template

Obviously none of these basic templates are suitable for your business, but once you have finished this tutorial, your own template will be included in this list. Outlook does offer the option to create Templates in "Tools/Options/Mail Format/Stationery Picker/New", but this option is very limited, and quite frankly not much use.

Before you start designing your template it is vital to know where on your hard drive Outlook stores these files. They can be found at C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Stationery.

Creating your Template
You will need to be able to create an HTML page using an HTML editor such as DreamWeaver or any other software you may have. Assuming you are not familiar with HTML, we suggest you try searching Google for a free "HTML Editor" download, and then use the sample template below to create your personalised template.

sample zip file

In order to access the sample template you need to download the zip file above onto your hard drive and unzip the files into C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Stationery.You will notice two files will be added, namely "My Template.htm" and "email-banner.gif". If you now go back into Microsoft Outlook and compose a new email message using "More Stationery" you will see an additional template availabel for use called "My Template".

All that now needs to be done is to modify this HTML page and gif image with your own company information/logo etc.

We offer this quick guide to those small businesses happy to tackle this project themselves, but do bear in mind that creating email templates is a service we offer, so please get in touch if you would like us to create your template for you.

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Testimonials


The following are a number of testimonials from satisfied clients. We are really pleased to receive these testimonials, and proudly list them here.

Thanks for the website Ian.
As you stated, I have had a steady stream of enquiries since setting me up on the internet.
Simon
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Morning Ian, just a short note to say 'thankyou' for the work on my website. Not only am I pleased with the way it looks, but I could not believe it when I got my first enquiry from it only a few days after its completion. All you said would happen has indeed happened.
Regards
Glenda
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Thank you very much for your kind help. It is really a good advice for my marketing plan.

Thanks and best regards,
Thi
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Hi Ian Just a short note to tell you we have had a very good season, an excellent sales increase so we should be ok now the autumn is here and going very soon into Winter.. . . . . . . . .
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Thanks Ian. The website has certainly increased our Bookings and we look forward to next year.
Best Wishes
Sue
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I am not really interested in getting back in to PPC as it cost a lot of money last time for not a lot of return. We have been without it for over a year and what you are doing is still increasing visits and turnover on the site.
Regards
AJ
Director
Sports Outlets
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Just a quick note to say I’m very interested in maintaining the website you have completed a marvellous job of so far. We are already noticing a complete change and receiving a lot higher internet inquires.
Thanks Ian
Marie
Director
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Hello Ian, came across your website via a Google search and wanted to say how impressed I am! The marketing plan template arrived within seconds of my request - it is clear, tremendously helpful and has provided me with the structure I desperately lacked as I prepare to kick off my new business on 1st September! A really super service, am sure I will be in touch again over the coming weeks to discuss other elements of your offer.

Thanks and regards
Sarah
Director
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....... I have also noticed the success of extra clicks! Business is also up by at least 15 percent from last year. Regards
Simon
Owner (Dry Cleaners)

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I would just like to bring a ray of sunshine to your day (well it did for me).
Since we started to work with Ian Smith, our Adwords guru, our results have improved impressively. These figures are the average across the board, ..
Our Click through rate has gone from 1% to a very credible 4.5%
Our average cost per click has dropped from 87p to 63p (just remember some clicks are still £2+).
Our average position has gone from 5.4 to 4.6
So all in all a very good result and with further input we hope to do even better.
Chris
Interior Design Retailer
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