If you want to send out an email there’s always a temptation to pack the email with pictures, on the grounds that otherwise it won’t be noticed.

The trouble is that pictures can distract the reader as much as add to the reader’s interest.  The brain takes much longer to decode and understand a picture than it does to decode and understand a headline sentence, and thus there is always the temptation to reject an email that is full of pictures.

But that is not to say logos and pictures cannot be used at all – and a well-chosen picture at the top of an email, separated from the text can work well.

First an email in plain text: http://www.emails.gs/Plainadvert.html This is ok, but in the end does look a little dull

Second, an email with a border and a logo adds a lot to the look and feel, without distracting in any way.  There’s an example here…

http://www.emails.gs/HHMlogosample.html

Third, one can add a picture and a little more design to get what is a more attractive approach that stands out, but again which does not make the reader just hit the delete button.

http://www.emails.gs/FandBsample.html

All of these approaches are available with Hamilton House when you email schools through our services.  You can of course submit your own design in HTML or you can submit the text as a Word document and the picture separately and we’ll set up the advert for you.

Of course you will see millions of email ads that break the rules about clarity and not overloading the piece with images, and the fact that there are so many adverts that go out with lots of images all over the page is one explanation as to why some people are getting low response rates in email.

In fact, the rule is simple.  Get the text right and get the design right, and your response rate can often double or treble or more.

There’s more about the technical bits and pieces on http://www.emails.gs/formats.html or do call us on 01536 399 000 and we’ll be pleased to talk the options through.

Tony