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New Email Designer for Broadcast

Written by Zenler Support

Overview

The new Zenler Email Designer gives you greater flexibility and creative control when creating email broadcasts. With a drag-and-drop editor, customizable content blocks, global styling options, and built-in media features, you can design emails that match your brand without having to build everything from scratch.
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1. Create a New Email Broadcast

To get started, open the Email Broadcast area in your Zenler site.

  1. Create a new email broadcast.

  2. Enter the required email details, including the sender's name, email address, and email subject or title.

  3. Click Next to continue.

  4. Choose one of the available email templates, or select the option to start from scratch.

  5. Click Next to open the Email Designer.

Tip: Templates provide a convenient starting point, while starting from scratch lets you build your own layout using the available content blocks.
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2. Understand the Email Designer Layout

The Email Designer uses containers and content blocks to help you organize your email.

  • Containers: Define the areas where you place and arrange content.

  • Content blocks: Add individual elements such as text, images, buttons, videos, and spacers.

  • Editing panel: Displays configuration options for the selected element.

  • Global settings: Let you customize the overall appearance and layout of the email.

  • Media Library: Lets you select existing media, such as your logo, to add to the design.

Selecting a container or content block displays its available customization options in the editing panel on the right.
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3. Add and Arrange Containers

Containers provide the structure for your email layout.

To customize your layout:

  1. Select an existing container.

  2. Remove containers you do not need.

  3. Use the available container layouts to add a new container.

  4. Drag the container into the desired position.

  5. Arrange your content within the containers to create your preferred layout.

You can experiment with different container arrangements to create simple or more elaborate email designs.
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4. Add Content Blocks

The Email Designer includes a range of content blocks that you can drag into your containers.
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Available blocks include:

  • Text

  • Images

  • Buttons

  • Spacers and dividers

  • Social media links

  • Navigation menus

  • Custom HTML

  • Banners

  • Video blocks

  • Countdown timers

  • Image carousels

How to add a content block

  1. Locate the content block you want to use.

  2. Drag it into the desired container or position in your email.

  3. Select the block to open its editing options.

  4. Customize its settings and appearance using the panel on the right.

  5. Move the block as needed to refine your layout.

You can also reposition existing blocks or duplicate them where supported.
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5. Customize Content Blocks

When you select a content block, the editing panel displays options for customizing that element.

Depending on the block, you may be able to adjust:

  • Text and formatting.

  • Colours and backgrounds.

  • Images and media.

  • Alignment and sizing.

  • Margins and spacing.

  • Borders and corner radius.

  • Links and other block-specific settings.

The available controls vary depending on the selected element.
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Add an image from the Media Library

  1. Open the Media Library.

  2. Select the image you want to use, such as your logo.

  3. Add it to the desired area of your email.

  4. Select the image to access its customization options.

  5. Adjust the available image settings to suit your layout.

6. Customize Global Email Settings

To customize the overall email layout, select the main email or content area.

The editing panel provides three tabs: Settings, Styles, and Data.

These tabs expose configuration options for the selected area. The exact options available depend on the element and its configuration.
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Settings and layout

Global settings include controls such as:

  • Message or content width.

  • Alignment.

  • Spacing.

  • Background settings.

  • Other layout options.

For example, you can increase the message width to approximately 750 pixels to create a wider email layout.
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Backgrounds and styling

You can customize the appearance of the email using background colours and, where supported, background images.

To change a background:

  1. Select the relevant container or email area.

  2. Open its styling controls.

  3. Choose a background colour or image.

  4. Adjust the available settings to achieve the desired appearance.

You can also customize other supported design properties to maintain consistency throughout your email.
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Hidden preheader

The Email Designer includes a Hidden Preheader option.

A preheader is preview text that may appear alongside the email subject in a recipient's inbox. It provides additional context before the recipient opens the email.

Use this field to add a short, relevant preview message.
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Additional email settings

The beta demonstration also highlighted additional settings being introduced, including:

  • UTM parameters for campaign tracking.

  • Email annotations for Gmail.

  • Other email configuration options.

The availability and behaviour of these settings may vary during the beta period.
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7. Add Videos to Your Email

The new Email Designer simplifies the process of including videos in emails.

Supported video sources mentioned in the demonstration include YouTube and Vimeo. The broader feature list also includes TikTok and Loom.

Instead of manually creating a thumbnail and linking it to a video, the video block can generate a clickable thumbnail with a play icon.
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How it works

  1. Add a video block to your email.

  2. Enter the link to your supported video.

  3. Configure the available settings.

  4. The designer generates a video preview thumbnail.

  5. When recipients click the thumbnail, they are directed to the video.

Note: The video opens through a link; this feature does not mean that the video plays directly inside the email.
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8. Use Countdown Timers and Other Design Elements

The Email Designer includes additional blocks to help you create engaging email campaigns.
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Countdown timers

Use countdown timers to highlight deadlines for promotions, launches, or events. Available configuration options include the date, time zone, display format, and destination URL.
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Buttons

Add calls to action and customize supported properties such as colour, sizing, alignment, borders, and destination URLs.
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Social links and navigation menus

Add links to your social profiles or create navigation menus using text, icons, or a combination of both.
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Spacers and dividers

Use spacing and divider elements to separate content and improve readability.
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Banners and image carousels

Use banners to highlight key messages and carousels to display multiple images with supported links and styling options.
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Custom HTML

Add custom HTML when you need more control over the email's content or layout.
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9. Preview and Review Your Email

Before using your email in a campaign, review the design carefully.

Check that:

  • The email layout is organized and easy to read.

  • Text formatting and colours are consistent.

  • Images display correctly.

  • Buttons and links point to the correct destinations.

  • Video thumbnails link to the intended videos.

  • Personalization fields are configured appropriately.

  • The preheader and email subject are relevant.

  • The overall design looks as intended.

Where preview or testing options are available, use them to review your email before sending it to subscribers.

Watch the video:
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