[FAQ 911010] How do I get started?
Doing an email blast takes two elements (the message and the contact list) and a simple click of the mouse.

When eBlast was run first time after installation it scanned the computer to see if Outlook was installed.  If it finds that Outlook is installed the program asked if it was OK to import the Outlook contact names, email address, company names and categories into eBlasts Address Database which can be viewed via the Address Manage. If you acknowledge this request you then already have the second element for the eBlasting. If not then you have options. If you do not have Outlook installed, but have the email addresses in some other Contact Manager and if this Contact Manager has an export to CSV function then eBlast can import the exported address list using the Import CSV speed button in the eBlast Tool Manager.

In the case that you do not have Outlook or any other Contact Manager you can always do it the old fashion way add one email address at a time using the Add New Address speed button in the eBlast Address Manager. The good news is that this only has to be done one time. All new subscribers will automatically be entered into the eBlast Address Manager via the on-line subscription function.

One of the more powerful aspects of the Address Manager is the Categories. One contact can belong to one or more categories so you can easily have clients that belong to “General” and maybe even the “Gold Club” or the “VIP” category.

If you have used categories in Outlook or in the CSV file the eBlast Address Manager will maintain those categories.

The Address Manager Filter function can include one or more categories which is why categories is so powerful.  One trick is to have a test group of email address so you can before you eBlast everyone selected either by hand or by filter the test group and see what everyone will see when you let the program rip.

Well we have now covered the second element and you are now asking your self why in the three step list the Address Manager is the second step? The reason is simple when you first have dealt with the email address then this element becomes secondary to what you have to do to get a successful eBlasting going. Again if you are using Outlook then this step was a no brainier and was dealt with first time you ran the program.  Note: It is always a good thing to use the “Sync Outlook” and the “Sync Returns” speed buttons in the Toll Manager before doing the emailing since this will update the eBlast Address Database with the latest address found in Outlook and subscription, un-subscription and bad addresses.

The first and most important element in the email blast is the message it self.

When you installed the eBlast you had the option to install some sample templates which we created for you to make this task simpler.

By single clicking on the templates file name the eBlast will display the message. If you like what you see you can use the Edit Message speed button in the Message Manager to edit the message to your needs with a real WYSIWYG editor.

The eBlast program comes with a simple WYSIWYG HTML editor. The good news is that you do not need any understanding of what HTML is, because the HTML is hidden by the editor. 

If you are a power user you can change the eBlast setup from using the defaulted WYSIWYG HTML editor to your personal favor editor.  Use the Setup Manager and on the Message tab you will find the Message Editor setting.

Many times editing an existing template is as easy as deleting the defaulted text and inserting your new message.

You may select to change the pictures in the template to something more appropriate. See FAQ “How do I get pictures from the Web?” for how to expand your picture library.

When you are done editing your message save the message with your special name so you can easy find and re use it again.

We have now both elements for the emailing: The message and the contact list. The last thing now is to go to the Send Manager and click on the Start Sending button.

You may now wonder how all of this is done and for more information see the FAQ “How does eBlast really work?” Also in the FAQ list you will see the “How to customize your sending information” and two very important topics “How to setup your SMTP for sending emails” and “How to setup your POP3 for receiving bounced emails, un-subscriptions and new subscriptions”.