Us email marketers love analysing the look and feel of email campaigns. Colours, fonts and image placements all get our attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So why would anyone want to create a plain text version? In this blog, we\u2019re going to give plain text emails the attention they deserve, discussing why they are relevant and how you can go about formatting them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s start by defining the different versions of email campaigns that can be delivered:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you use our email marketing platform, you\u2019re given the option to create both<\/em> HTML and text versions in a click of a button.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike some email providers, we don\u2019t automatically create a text version that you can\u2019t edit; we give you editing features so you can utilise white space, special characters etc. to lay your emails out better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But why create two separate versions in the first place? Are text versions even worth creating? Let\u2019s explore why plain text emails are still relevant:<\/p>\n\n\n\n So now you\u2019re convinced to start creating text versions of your email campaigns, what is the best way to go about formatting them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n While you\u2019re not able to use different fonts\/colours\/font sizes when creating plain text emails, including headers can break up the content and organise it in a way that\u2019s easily digestible to the recipient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why not try using all capital letters or special symbols to make your headers stand out?<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, rather than writing:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contact Information<\/p>\n\n\n\n You could write:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2013CONTACT INFORMATION\u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n This clearly denotes a new section of content and makes for more enjoyable reading by your recipient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another great way of formatting plain text emails is taking advantage of white space. Simply add line breaks between different content sections, before\/after headers or any other content you want to stand out. White spaces also allow for easier scan ability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When making HTML emails, you make your links bold, coloured and large to attract attention. In the same way, you want to make the links in your Text version standout.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To do this, try the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u2013 Add headings for links so recipients know where each link will take them. In saying the above, it\u2019s important to only include the most important <\/em>links in your text emails. If you send a text version campaign containing too many links, it may inundate your recipients and not receive the best response. Imagine opening a text only email containing too many links \u2013 it may be overkill!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Simplicity is key for text versions. A lot of marketeers exclude a bunch of content that exists in their HTML versions for their text versions. Some people even go as far to just include a link to a web version of the HTML email. This will take your subscriber to the HTML version via the plain text version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lists are always a great formatting option when you have a lot of text. While actual bullet points are not supported, be creative and use special characters. For example, you could use: To summarise, creating a text version of your email campaign alongside your HTML version can help to increase your reach and email deliverability. It\u2019s also a great way to cater for all types of recipients in your audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Creating a text version doesn\u2019t have to be boring, make sure to use our tips to make your emails more effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n\n\n\nBest Ways to Format a Plain Text Email<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Headers<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
White Space<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
CTA\u2019S (Calls to Action\u2019s)<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
\u2013 Add some line breaks to separate the different links in your campaign.
\u2013 Put the links in square brackets to separate them for the rest of your text.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSimplicity<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
Bullet Points<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
* an asterik
\u2013 a dash
+ a plus
1. a numbered list
a. a lettered list
> an arrowed list
>> a double arrowed list<\/p>\n\n\n\n