# Create & Customize Advocate Program Emails

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Your program is initially set up with default versions of program emails to get you up and running as quickly as possible. These default versions are loaded with generic images and messaging to convey the essence of the email. We recommend tailoring your program emails to ensure the information is relevant to your program and product.

See our doc on [merge tags](https://help.impact.com/brand/advocate-program/manage-advocate-participant-experiences/email-experiences/merge-tags-for-program-emails) for information on how to include participant-specific details in your emails.

#### Create or edit an email template

You will have at least one program email created when you are setting up your program rules. We recommend editing existing program emails and only creating a new one if needed.

1. From the left navigation menu, select ![](https://impact-1.gitbook.io/docs/emvxfLrwrlacc4y3y02Y/~gitbook/image?url=https%3A%2F%2F4048883401-files.gitbook.io%2F%7E%2Ffiles%2Fv0%2Fb%2Fgitbook-x-prod.appspot.com%2Fo%2Fspaces%252FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%252Fuploads%252Fgit-blob-230534471fef5f40808e921e41ee44e4a06ded03%252Fe6cb9548999afdc1ed3ce4942e4cb5b45b5cecbd323267aac2a7cd1915fccc09.svg%3Falt%3Dmedia\&width=300\&dpr=3\&quality=100\&sign=71dd50ef\&sv=2) **\[Engage] → Content**.
2. In the *Emails* card, select **Create new** or **Edit emails** to edit existing templates.
3. If you are creating a new template, select **Create a new email template** and enter a short, descriptive email template ID (e.g., Acme Advocates) to identify the email. Use this ID to identify the email when setting up your program rules.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-849920ea3dc0a6e4c62f5841e312f4b5f5e1dc54%2Fd2b2c3352a1f5168a154d7e0976e61de9cda121ecf5c40050ddc41af37bfb468.jpg?alt=media" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

* Select ![](https://res.cloudinary.com/product-enablement/image/upload/v1768910844/Accessibility%20Icons/More_vNext.svg) **\[More]** to delete a template.
* Select ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-90673bb8db696bdefe7b207cfc07c46caf1d43f1%2Fce7a994978f06dd84cc6a31b890071502b4831990afd8fdd73f73c6d2e203660.png?alt=media) **\[Exit icon]** to minimize the side menu.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-f84f82151b8b3a0d0567f1101221de276a4dbed2%2Fc34a999c9e16cd7d37a818556b42f56ec7d946eb7872451e369945d99fa74b6a.jpg?alt=media" alt="" width="422"><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

1. Before using the editor, select **Edit** to fill in the required *Contact Information* at the top of your screen.
   * Enter the **From Name** by adding a static name that displays on the email, e.g., Acme Advocates.
   * Enter a **From address** from which the custom domain of the email originates.
     * If you want to adjust the *From* email address, you will need to adjust your settings to ensure that our system is sending authentic emails on your behalf. To use a domain that you own for the *From Address*, you must [set up a domain](https://help.impact.com/brand/advocate-program/manage-advocate-participant-experiences/set-up-a-domain-for-advocate) from the *Settings* page.
   * Enter a **BCC** to send a copy of the email.
   * Enter a **Subject** for the email.
   * Select **Done** to save this information.
2. Next, proceed to using the editor.

#### Using the editor

All of the images, text, and links in the email are set into individual components that make up the structure of the email. These components are the building blocks of the email.

<div data-with-frame="true"><figure><img src="https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-11de1498b24c2187761fb3e1d16cfce9363891cf%2F4630f1b35d3ef94cea6d1dcde93c04ca893c3af26b791fe489958553053a08c2.jpg?alt=media" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** Refer to the [*Toolbar reference*](#section-idm143415649584296) section below to better understand how editor icons function.
{% endhint %}

<details>

<summary>Add a component</summary>

**Limited:** Adding extra components to an Advocate email is only available to specific Advocate editions. [Contact support](https://app.impact.com/support/portal.ihtml) to upgrade your account and access this feature.

1. Select ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c1d884ff1112d5990b114815f5dd442c1d374631%2Feb59caa126fc2615226c1c412a8c1543b235d5adb7a38efaa8f213685b669c79.svg?alt=media) **\[Open Blocks]** to choose a new component.
2. **Select and drag** the component into the area of the email where you want the component to appear. A green bar will appear in the email to help you place the new component in your email.
3. Optionally, adjust the component’s content or appearance using the toolbar on the right.
   * **Double-click** your new component.
   * Select ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-552523088922df2fa565c0c024980a2db24ddf7c%2F71c490c94595149bd761ed4357c12f615a30f9141ad8aa73391988bc53c3837f.svg?alt=media) **\[Edit]** in the toolbar on the right.
   * If you added a text component, then click the **Typography** ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c2cb550b55c51ea1eeff0acbd6f437a03b621a2c%2F60d033ae8a04c14498d5229c3c0160ac05feea7f605dbd770741793c900469f0.svg?alt=media) **\[Drop-down menu]** and change the formatting.
4. **Save** your changes.

   * The email editor does not autosave changes. Make sure to select **Save** at the top-right of the screen. If you’ve made an error, you can leave the editor and the changes will not be saved.

   <div data-gb-custom-block data-tag="hint" data-style="info" class="hint hint-info"><p><strong>Note:</strong> New components will interact with the existing components in the email which can cause existing text and images to get shifted around. It is usually easier to make changes to existing components by updating an existing image or adding text to existing copy.</p></div>

</details>

<details>

<summary>Delete a component</summary>

1. In the *workspace*, select the component you want to delete.
2. Select ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c5ab8423372b2c345ded634b7aa4cab16c87fe3a%2Fd17a259fe817ff10ea9fd87140a89bd62ece6fa9940e05902574dcf95bed5960.svg?alt=media) **\[Delete]** to delete the component from the email.
3. **Save** your changes.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Update the email copy</summary>

Email copy is divided into text components that are managed in different sections of the email.

1. Add a new text component or double-click to highlight an existing component.
2. Adjust the text in the component.
3. With the text component highlighted, select ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-552523088922df2fa565c0c024980a2db24ddf7c%2F71c490c94595149bd761ed4357c12f615a30f9141ad8aa73391988bc53c3837f.svg?alt=media) **\[Edit]** in the vertical toolbar to make changes to the text’s font, color, weight, or spacing.
4. After your updates are done, select ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ffc6658e079e839b29f85f5cc2dd9e09779a8ae6%2F13dd243bc36c7758d390845ea2fea7a3afe90178064940f112e6affc4c113f57.svg?alt=media) **\[Send Test]** to send yourself a test email.
5. If the test email looks good, **Save** your changes.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Add a custom image</summary>

**Limited:** Adding an extra custom image component to an Advocate email is only available to specific Advocate editions. [Contact support](https://app.impact.com/support/portal.ihtml) to upgrade your account and access this feature.

1. Add a new image component or highlight the image component that you want to update.
2. Once selected, double-click it to bring up the *Select Image* window. Select the **Add Images** to select the image that you would like to use. Once the image has loaded in the *Select Image* window, double-click it to add it to the new component.
3. Adjust the size and location of the image using the selectors in the *Workspace*.
4. After your updates are done, select ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ffc6658e079e839b29f85f5cc2dd9e09779a8ae6%2F13dd243bc36c7758d390845ea2fea7a3afe90178064940f112e6affc4c113f57.svg?alt=media) **\[Send Test]** to send yourself a test email.
5. If the test email looks good, **Save** your changes.

</details>

<details>

<summary>Add dynamic content</summary>

Merge tags allow you to add dynamic content, like the participant’s name or amount rewarded, to the email copy. You can add a merge tag to any text component.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Note:** If there is no information that corresponds to the merge tag you're using, then participants will see an extra space in the email text. For instance, if you use *"Hello `{{user.firstName}}`. How are you?"* in your email but the user did not have data in the firstName field, the email would render as *"Hello . How are you?"*.
{% endhint %}

1. Select a merge tag from our [merge tags](https://help.impact.com/brand/advocate-program/manage-advocate-participant-experiences/email-experiences/merge-tags-for-program-emails) list.
2. In the *Workspace*, double-click the text to which you want to add a merge tag.
3. Add the merge tag. Be sure to preserve the structure of the tag. It should be two "handlebar" brackets followed by the contents of the tag, followed by another two "handlebar" brackets in the opposite direction.

   As an example: `{{user.firstName}}`.
4. **Save** your changes.

{% hint style="warning" %}
**Important:** A test email sent within the editor will not include any values where the merge tags have been placed.
{% endhint %}

</details>

#### Toolbar reference

This section will walk you through the various toolbar icons accessible in the email editor.

<details>

<summary>Toolbar icons</summary>

At the top of the editor you'll find the **toolbar** that allows you to do the following:

| Element                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-9a50309ee9d0e10094bf68c9b9ae1999dbec4f48%2F7cf9c6c1f6544aa358de22e77201e216647a70ab22c854c02334f51f45892424.svg?alt=media) **\[Preview desktop]** / ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2FLzM2LWIUSyzEYsesvGnC%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=d30a2b2c-cbca-4ed1-ac40-6a1e3081f0ae) **\[Preview tablet]** / <i class="fa-mobile">:mobile:</i> **\[Preview mobile]** | Preview how the email renders on a desktop, tablet, or mobile screen.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-83769eced40295b3adddc8139db5dee9e6106ea0%2F65396388eb13a7bc1c8693fceb58845f9b6ee692c76282f5fcedc33ccb1665eb.svg?alt=media) **\[View Component]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        | View how the individual components of the email overlay and interact with each other.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
| ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-190c6a03e6a68d67509d00452b10fd803bee5c87%2F57c7cba09bd1b97dd75b7c245e517c8d1ca0469d7c57bdc13ee6e427b75a860a.svg?alt=media) **\[Preview]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               | Preview the email template.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-ef24507db3f42deb3afb56262dda11ac1876a542%2F2e28fedcf39dbb091996c5883501adaf309f3c53abfc8ea6e023960c516dcdd9.svg?alt=media) **\[View code]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | View the underlying HTML source code for the email. You can also export email designs.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-df3660aacc4fc172eb81147616b602e4b9e57f4b%2F2804036b53985c93cf08a9b5b4343829b38a5f6636e55d51394df728a710b285.svg?alt=media) **\[Toggle images]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | Preview the email with or without images. Some users choose to not load images when viewing their emails so you should ensure the email remains readable without images.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-84d004df419c8221e6ce18d139e015fa1f8239c3%2Fc30065167673a5482b8da0f45e9a8573b2c5b7af392d62d910691fc8f7853bc6.svg?alt=media) **\[Undo]** / ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-9e3bf9b7c43e4c33ccae67b62be7957fd06046ad%2Fa5fa778d7d0bb7bf3be1a01f9cc1a2a3a53ba99cd64a1aac1059d3e85050440e.svg?alt=media) **\[Redo]**                                    | Undo or redo your template changes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c5ab8423372b2c345ded634b7aa4cab16c87fe3a%2Fd17a259fe817ff10ea9fd87140a89bd62ece6fa9940e05902574dcf95bed5960.svg?alt=media) **\[Clear canvas]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          | Remove all the elements from the canvas. Clearing the canvas will need to be confirmed.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-54167787e221a7f031fb6cc12a40f08c2329b2d4%2Fc4557d39498273acb3f9543487a51afbd590e065563bae2650f39046fbba0a6d.svg?alt=media) **\[Send test]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | Send a test email to an email address you specify.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     |
| ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-642b384f63b4d8896a831dde9f37b45376ba8dd5%2Fba76e488396069116f205f71c28a3cfc983c55eba0449b7fab6797b0593e589f.svg?alt=media) **\[Import template]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       | [Import your own HTML source code for the email](https://help.impact.com/brand/advocate-program/manage-advocate-participant-experiences/email-experiences/import-an-advocate-email-template). Note that this feature will **overwrite** anything you have saved into the editor.                                                                                                                                                                       |
| ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-552523088922df2fa565c0c024980a2db24ddf7c%2F71c490c94595149bd761ed4357c12f615a30f9141ad8aa73391988bc53c3837f.svg?alt=media) **\[Open style manager]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | Adjust the styling of the highlighted component. This includes adding classes, adjusting dimensions, text formatting and visual formatting such as borders, backgrounds and colors.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-b41bccda02eaed8c7460e5fff68d88faba98b23c%2Ffd32e503ed9f0744024a11f8cc94b7bd8b46b02169d70247c7128c8950e7a7cd.svg?alt=media) **\[Settings]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              | Adjust the settings for the highlighted component including alt text for images or IDs and titles for cells and text boxes.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-d8cc714dcf0405d1f945afc4a15467485a125f24%2F7edb613f3de0db96728b6bca0cbcf63fa251900d6896612a69d41cdc4291fc74.svg?alt=media) **\[Open layer manager]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    | <p>View all of the components in their hierarchical structure starting with the top <code>body</code> tag and going down. You can adjust the level a component is at by clicking and holding on the move icon and dragging the component up or down. </p><p></p><p>Components can also be hidden using the eye icon to the right. Adjusting these settings will adjust any components nested within the component you have highlighted.</p>            |
| ![](https://4048883401-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwMLlMoFBtKJa8ptd3zaw%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-c1d884ff1112d5990b114815f5dd442c1d374631%2Feb59caa126fc2615226c1c412a8c1543b235d5adb7a38efaa8f213685b669c79.svg?alt=media) **\[Open blocks]**                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           | <p><strong>Limited:</strong> Adding extra components to an Advocate email is only available to specific Advocate editions. <a href="https://app.impact.com/support/portal.ihtml">Contact support</a> to upgrade your account and access this feature. </p><p></p><p>View a list of new components that you can drag and drop into the workspace. You can use this to add additional text, images, links, and layout components to your email body.</p> |

</details>
