Broadcasts
A broadcast is an email template sent to recipients, featuring TEXT/HTML body content. Create unlimited broadcasts easily.
Overview
Broadcasts contain the email content that will be sent to your subscribers. They are reusable - you can schedule the same broadcast multiple times to different audiences through Scheduled Campaigns.
Viewing Broadcasts
Navigate to Campaigns → Broadcasts to view all your broadcasts.
Page Features
- Add New button to create a new broadcast
- Pre-Defined Templates button to browse template library
- Bulk Actions dropdown for operations on selected broadcasts
- Our records / User records toggle to filter between admin and user broadcasts
- Filter by admin dropdown to filter by creator
- Show entries dropdown to control items per page
- Search box to find broadcasts
Broadcast Information
| Column | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Broadcast name with EDITOR badge indicator |
| Group | Broadcast group for organization |
| Subject | Email subject line |
| Size | File size of the broadcast content (e.g., 20.52 KB) |
| Created On | Date and time the broadcast was created |
| Actions | Action menu (three dots) |
Broadcast Actions
Click the actions menu (three dots) next to any broadcast:
| Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Edit | Open the broadcast editor |
| Delete | Remove the broadcast |
| Duplicate | Create a copy of the broadcast |
Creating a Broadcast
Navigate to Campaigns → Broadcasts and click Add New.
Step 1: Choose Your Editor
You first choose which editor to use:
| Editor | Description |
|---|---|
| HTML Editor | Traditional code editor for hand-crafted HTML emails |
| Drag & Drop Builder | Visual editor with draggable blocks, pre-designed modules, and AI chat (requires the Advanced Broadcast Builder addon) — see Drag & Drop Email Builder |
| AI Email Builder | Conversational AI that generates complete emails from natural language — see AI Email Builder |
If only the HTML Editor is available (no Builder addon, no AI enabled), the editor selection step is skipped automatically.
Step 2: Choose a Template
After clicking HTML Editor or Drag & Drop Builder, a template gallery slides in below the editor cards:
- Start Blank — create an empty broadcast from scratch
- Template cards — browse installed templates with thumbnails, category badges, and search/filter
- Click Use This on any template to create a draft broadcast with that content pre-loaded
Clicking AI Email Builder skips templates entirely and redirects to the AI chat interface (since AI generates content from scratch).
You can filter templates by category or search by name, keywords, and tags. Click the eye icon on any template card to preview it full-size before selecting.
Step 3: Edit Your Broadcast
After selecting a template (or starting blank), the broadcast editor opens with a modern tabbed interface with three tabs:
| Tab | Description |
|---|---|
| Content | Email subject, pre-header, HTML body, text body, and import URL |
| Settings | Broadcast name, group, description, responsive email, attachments, and additional headers |
| Preview & Test | Live preview, spam score analyzer, and send test email |
Content Tab
Email Subject & Pre-header
Email Subject
The subject line that appears in the recipient's inbox. This is critical for open rates.
- A character counter (0/70) is displayed next to the subject field
- Click the emoji button at the end of the field to insert emojis (if Emojis add-on is active)
- Supports personalization variables
Best practices:
- Keep it concise (40-60 characters) — use the character counter as a guide
- Create urgency or curiosity
- Personalize when possible using variables
- Avoid spam trigger words
Add Email Pre-header
Toggle this option to add preview text that appears next to or below the subject line in most email clients.
When enabled:
- Enter your preheader text in the field that appears
- A character counter (0/120) tracks your preheader length
- Use the emoji button to add emojis
- Preheader extends your subject line and provides additional context
Best practices:
- Use 40-100 characters
- Complement (don't repeat) the subject
- Include a call to action
- Front-load important information
HTML Body
The main email content editor with a rich WYSIWYG toolbar.
Import Email Content from a URL
Click the Import button (cloud download icon) in the card header to reveal the import panel:
- Enter the URL of your email content (e.g.,
https://www.mytemplate.com/template.html) - Optionally enable Download Images — downloads remote images and hosts them locally for reliable delivery
- Click Import
- Content is imported into the HTML Body editor
Use cases:
- Import from email design tools
- Convert web pages to emails
- Repurpose existing HTML content
Advanced Broadcast Builder
If the Advanced Broadcast Builder add-on is active, a drag-and-drop builder button appears in the card header. Click it to launch the visual email builder.
Insert Variable
Click the Insert Variable button below the editor to open the Variable Picker — a searchable modal that organizes all available variables into categories:
| Category | Syntax | Description |
|---|---|---|
| System Variables | %%variable%% | Sender info, dates, web view URL, list/campaign IDs |
| Recipient Fields | %%field%% | Contact data (first_name, email, etc.) — see Custom Fields |
| Spintax | {{tag}} | Rotating text variations |
| Dynamic Content Tags | [[tag]] | Conditional content blocks |
| Profile Variables | %%field%% | Profile-related variables |
System Variables
| Variable | Syntax | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Sender Name | %%sender_name%% | The sender's display name |
| Sender Email | %%sender_email%% | The sender's email address |
| Recipient Email | %%recipient_email%% | The recipient's email address |
| Reply-to Email | %%replyto_email%% | The reply-to email address |
| Bounce Email | %%bounce_email%% | The bounce handling email address |
| Today's Date | %%todays_date%% | Current date when email is sent |
| Web View URL | %%web_version%% | Link to view email in browser |
| List Name | %%list_name%% | Name of the contact list |
| Broadcast Name | %%broadcast_name%% | Name of the broadcast |
| List ID | %%list_id%% | ID of the contact list |
| Message ID | %%message_id%% | Unique message identifier |
| Campaign ID | %%campaign_id%% | Campaign identifier |
| Sending Domain | %%sending_domain%% | The sending domain URL |
| Tracking Domain | %%tracking_domain%% | The tracking domain URL |
| Schedule ID | %%schedule_id%% | Schedule identifier |
| Confirm Link | %%confirmurl%% | Double opt-in confirmation link |
| Unsubscribe Link | %%unsubscribelink%% | One-click unsubscribe link |
| Timestamp | %%timestamp%% | Current timestamp |
| UTC Timestamp | %%utc_timestamp%% | Current UTC timestamp |
Recipient Fields
Insert subscriber-specific data using %%field_name%% syntax:
%%contact_id%%- Contact's unique ID%%creation_date%%- Contact's creation date%%first_name%%- Contact's first name%%last_name%%- Contact's last name%%email%%- Contact's email address- Additional fields and custom fields you've created
Copy as Text
Click the Copy as Text button to convert your HTML content to plain text and copy it to the clipboard. Use this to populate the Text Body section.
Text Body
The plain text version of your email. This section is collapsible (collapsed by default).
Purpose:
- Email clients that don't support HTML
- Accessibility requirements
- Spam filter compatibility (multipart emails score better)
Use the Copy as Text button from the HTML editor to auto-generate text from your HTML content, then edit as needed.
Pre-Defined Templates
When editing a broadcast, if pre-defined templates are available, a collapsible Templates section appears with a searchable list of templates. Click Use on any template to load its content into the editor.
Settings Tab
Broadcast Details
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Broadcast Name | Internal name for the broadcast (required). Helps identify the campaign in lists and reports. |
| Group | Organize broadcasts into groups. Select existing or click + to create a new group inline. |
| Description | Optional internal notes about the broadcast. Not sent to recipients. |
Best practices for naming:
- Include the purpose: "March Newsletter 2024"
- Add dates for time-sensitive content
- Use consistent naming conventions
Use groups to organize by:
- Campaign type (newsletters, promotions)
- Client or brand name
- Time period (monthly, quarterly)
- Product or service line
Email Optimization
Responsive Email
Toggle to automatically inject responsive CSS and meta tags into your email HTML. When enabled, the following are added to your email's <head>:
- Viewport meta tag for proper mobile rendering
- UTF-8 charset declaration
- IE/Edge compatibility meta tag
- Comprehensive CSS resets for consistent rendering across email clients
- Responsive media queries for screens up to 600px and 480px
- Dark mode support via
@media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) - Email client-specific fixes for Outlook (MSO), Gmail, Yahoo, Apple Mail, and Samsung Mail
Enable Responsive Email for optimal rendering on mobile devices, tablets, and all major email clients. The responsive CSS is injected automatically — no manual coding required.
Toggling the Responsive Email option off cleanly removes the injected responsive code from your email. Toggling it back on re-adds it. The process is seamless — enabling it multiple times will not duplicate the CSS.
Attachments
Add files to your broadcast using the modernized drag-and-drop upload area:
- Drag and drop files into the upload zone, or click to browse
- Maximum file size is displayed based on your PHP configuration
- Allowed file types are shown (configured in application settings)
- Uploaded files appear in a file list with filename, status, and a remove button
- File type validation is performed server-side against the configured allowed extensions
Large attachments increase send time and may trigger spam filters. Consider linking to files hosted online instead of attaching when possible.
Additional Headers
Add custom email headers that will be embedded in the email when sent. This section is collapsible (collapsed by default, auto-expanded if headers exist).
- Click Add New to add a header row with Header and Value fields
- Click the trash icon to remove a header
- Note: No special characters or spaces are supported except hyphens (-)
Use cases:
- Custom tracking headers
- List-Unsubscribe headers
- Campaign identification headers
Preview & Test Tab
Email Preview
A live preview of your broadcast content rendered in an iframe. Features:
- Device preview buttons — switch between Desktop, Tablet, and Mobile viewport sizes
- Refresh button — reloads the preview with the latest saved content
- For new broadcasts: "Save the broadcast first to enable preview"
Spam Score Analyzer
Client-side spam analysis that evaluates your email against common spam filter criteria:
- Scans subject line, content structure, and compliance elements
- Checks for spam trigger words
- Provides a score and actionable recommendations
- Click Analyze Spam Score to run the analysis
Send Test Email
Send a test email to verify your broadcast before scheduling. This section uses a collapsible card design — click the card header to expand or collapse the test email form. An animated chevron icon indicates the current state.
Sender Details
Choose how sender information is determined:
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Specific Sending Domain | Select a specific sending domain for the preview |
| Obtain from Sending Node | Use sender details from the SMTP node |
Test Email Settings
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Sending Domain | Select the domain to send from (eligible domains shown; ineligible domains grayed out with status) |
| Sending Node | Select the SMTP server/node for sending (grouped by SMTP group) |
| Email Address | Enter recipient email for the test |
| Associate a Contact ID | Optional — associate with a contact to test personalization |
Sending a preview will not convert the variables e.g. first name, last name, web version or unsubscribe links, etc.
Save the broadcast before sending a preview to ensure the latest content is included. The Send Preview button is disabled for unsaved broadcasts.
Click Send Preview to send the test email.
Save Options
| Button | Description |
|---|---|
| Save | Save the broadcast and return to list |
| Save & Keep Editing | Save changes and continue editing |
| Cancel | Discard changes and return to list |
Using Pre-Defined Templates
Click Pre-Defined Templates on the Broadcasts list page to browse the predefined template library. These templates are built-in starting points, separate from the installed templates shown during broadcast creation.
- Browse the predefined template library
- Preview templates before selecting
- Click to use a template — content loads into the editor
- Customize as needed
Editing a Broadcast
- Navigate to Campaigns → Broadcasts
- Click the Edit action for the broadcast
- Modify content across the three tabs as needed
- Click Save or Save & Keep Editing
If a broadcast is already used in scheduled campaigns, editing it will affect all future sends. Past sends are not affected.
Duplicating a Broadcast
Create a copy of an existing broadcast:
- Click Duplicate from the broadcast actions
- A new broadcast is created with copied content
- Edit the duplicate as needed
- Save with a new name
Deleting a Broadcast
Single Deletion
- Click Delete from broadcast actions
- Confirm deletion
Bulk Deletion
- Select multiple broadcasts using checkboxes
- Choose Delete selected from Bulk Actions
- Confirm deletion
Best Practices
Content Design
- Single column layout — Better mobile experience
- Enable Responsive Email — Ensures proper rendering across devices and email clients
- Clear hierarchy — Use headings and sections
- Scannable content — Short paragraphs, bullet points
- Strong CTA — One primary call to action
- Image alt text — For accessibility and when images don't load
Subject Lines
- Be specific — Tell recipients what's inside
- Watch the counter — Keep under 70 characters using the built-in counter
- Create urgency — Time-sensitive language
- Ask questions — Engage curiosity
- Use numbers — "5 Tips" performs well
- Use emojis sparingly — Can increase open rates
Preheaders
- Extend the subject — Add complementary info
- Watch the counter — Keep under 120 characters using the built-in counter
- Include CTA — "Shop now" or "Learn more"
- Avoid repetition — Don't repeat subject line
- Front-load — Important info first
Testing
- Use device preview — Switch between Desktop, Tablet, and Mobile in the Preview tab
- Run spam analysis — Use the Spam Score Analyzer before scheduling
- Send test emails — Verify rendering and links
- Check personalization — Associate a contact ID to test variable rendering
- Review plain text — Ensure the text body is readable
- Test across clients — Preview in Gmail, Outlook, and mobile clients
Troubleshooting
Personalization Variables Not Working
Cause: Variable syntax incorrect or field doesn't exist.
Solution:
- Use the Insert Variable button to pick variables from the searchable picker
- Verify correct syntax:
%%field_name%%for recipient fields - Check that the field exists in custom fields
- Use inline conditional tags for fallbacks:
[if:first_name]Hi %%first_name%%[else]Hi there[endif]
Images Not Displaying
Cause: Images blocked by email client or broken URLs.
Solution:
- Use absolute URLs for images
- Use the Download Images option when importing from URL to host images locally
- Host images on reliable servers
- Include alt text for all images
- Test in multiple email clients
Broadcast Won't Save
Cause: Validation error or required field missing.
Solution:
- Check for required fields (name, subject, HTML body)
- Verify content doesn't exceed size limits
- Check for invalid HTML in source view
- Clear browser cache and retry
Attachment Upload Fails
Cause: File type not allowed or file too large.
Solution:
- Check the allowed file types shown below the upload area
- Reduce file size below the displayed maximum
- Verify the file extension matches the actual file type
Large File Size
Cause: Heavy images or complex HTML.
Solution:
- Optimize and compress images
- Simplify HTML structure
- Remove unnecessary code
- Use hosted images instead of embedded
Next Steps
- Drag & Drop Email Builder - Visual email builder with modules and AI
- AI Email Builder - Create emails with conversational AI
- Scheduling Campaigns - Schedule your broadcast for sending
- Evergreen Campaigns - Recurring automated campaigns
- Dynamic Content Tags - Conditional content and RSS feeds
- Split Tests - Test different versions
- Drip Campaigns - Automated email sequences