1. IFPUG CMC How to Draft an eBlast 8/27/14

2. Step 1 – Log in to Constant Contact http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp

3. Step 2 – Enter Credentials Username = ifpug2; Password will be communicated separately

4. Step 3 – See the Initial Screen Note List of recent eBlasts sent; we will copy one to make a new draft

5. Step 4 – Select an Earlier eBlast to copy Place Cursor in the Copy column and click on it

6. Step 5 – See the Edit Screen Start editing the copy to compose the new draft – first change the email name

7. Step 6 – Update the email Name

8. Step 7 – See email Name Updated

9. Step 8 – Edit Header Options

10. Step 9 – Edit Header Options Update the Subject field; other fields need not change; click [OK] when done

11. Step 10 – Edit Date Place Cursor on date and click on it to open the Edit Date screen

12. Step 11 – Edit Date Use the Edit Date screen to change the date; click [Save] when done

13. Step 12 – Edit Headline for First Article Place cursor in the headline and click to open the edit screen; note control button with options: move; edit; copy; delete

14. Step 13 – Edit and Save Overtype the headline text; note editing controls and use as needed; click [Save] when done

15. Step 14 – Edit Text of Article Place cursor in the article and click to open the edit screen; note control button with options: move; edit; copy; delete

16. Step 15 – Edit and Save Edit the article text; note editing controls and use as needed; click [Save] when done

17. Step 16 – Save Changes Constant Contact automatically updates every few seconds; to be sure your last changes are saved, click the [Save] button

18. Step 17 – Send Test Click the Preview button to see the screen that lets you send a test

19. Step 18 – Fill out screen and send test Update the email address screen and the test message, then click on the [Send a Test] button; note you may need to log out and log back in to change these fields.

20. Step 19 – Subsequent Edits After you log out and log back in later, to pick up where you left off, select the draft and click on the Edit icon

21. IFPUG CMC Additional Notes 8/27/14 1.If the draft being created has more articles than are wanted, just use the [Delete] button in the Edit Control to delete the headlines and article text of the articles not wanted. 2.If the draft being created has fewer articles than are needed, just use the [Copy] button in the Edit Control to create copies of headlines and articles, then use the [Move] button to move them where you want them. 3.Separator bars are themselves editable blocks; copy and move where needed and/or delete superfluous ones. 4.Copy and paste from another document can get tricky – it works best if the source is unformatted plain text. 5.Not covered today: How to finalize and send the eblast 6.Not covered today: How to insert pictures and graphics 7.Not covered today: Using the html editor to adjust the formatting to your precise specifications