Switch to Our Enhanced Email Creation Tools by March 3rd

Hi! I'm Bryan, a product manager here at  VerticalResponse. I've been working to phase-in our enhanced email creation tools and retire our original editors since March 2010. If you're a new customer, you might not notice this change because you're probably already using the enhanced email editors. But if you've been with VR for AppExchange for a while, you may be aware of the change and this blog post is especially for you.

How do I know if I’m using an enhanced or original editor? We’ve been transitioning  to the enhanced email editors for the past 10 months and now over 90% of our campaigns are being sent using these editors. So, if you’re still using one of the original email editors, you’ll see the following warning message at the top of every page while creating your email.

Also, there’s a difference between how the original and enhanced editors look:

First, the Original Wizard editor looks like this:

And the Enhanced Wizard editor looks like this:

 

So you may be wondering when the original editors will finally be laid to rest? They will officially retire on March 3, 2011.

What does that mean if I am still using the original email editors? On March 3, new emails will no longer be created or sent using the original editors. However, any emails created before retirement, created using the original editors, or saved in Drafts, will be available in original editors until they're launched.

In other words, if you have a draft email message that was created using the original editors, you'll still be able to edit and launch it using the original tools. But once that email is launched you won't have access to the original email editors again - unless you have other draft emails. Also, when you copy an original-style email, it will copy to the enhanced editors.

I like using the Freeform HTML editor, is that going away? Only the original version of each editor is being retired and replaced with an enhanced version. So, each of the original editor types, the Wizard, Canvas, Freeform HTML and Text, have their counterparts with the enhanced editors. So, you’ll be able to find and select the editor that you’re familiar with. For example, if the Freeform HTML editor is your longtime preference, you’ll be able to continue using the enhanced version of that editor after the original version is retired.

Why are the original editors being retired? The main reason is to better serve you, our customers, and this is done in two ways. First, we believe the enhanced email editors are better than the original ones. We’ve improved their ease-of-use and reduced the amount of time and effort it takes to create and launch an email campaign. Second, we’ve updated the underlying technology so they’re more stable and allow us to add new features and enhancements faster than in the past. These changes were inspired by customer feedback and validated every step of the way with user feedback. The goal is to help you send messages to your customers quickly and easily.

Where can I go for help? If you need help, we have heaps of information and resources available to help you:

• Use our How to Do Everything - Email Creation page
• Attend a free demo - Using VerticalResponse for SalesForce - our Training & Education manager will walk you through step-by-step and answer your questions.
• Contact our knowledgeable Customer Support team - we're here 7 days a week to save the day

Related Posts:

AppEx Tip: Need Some Elbow Room to Build Your Emails

How to Make the Best Use of An Email Signature

Comments

[Janine Popick]

Try this for videos:

http://help.verticalresponse.com/how-to/email/the_canvas/

[wayne caccamo]

If we missed the intro Webinar to the new Editors, is there a recording I can watch?

[Liz J.]

Hi Mike, thanks for the editing help - the extra word has been deleted.

[Mike]

Got an extra "stable" in there.

[Mike Symonds]

Bryan, I use your Salesforce integration version of Vertical Response. I have decided to use VR as a back up to icontact for this simple reason: Sending Salesforce Templates to my list using VR just took one huge step backwards.

The reason I say that is using the old editor, when I create an email, I have the option to select a salesforce template. The new template compels me to create the subject, prior to selecting the Salesforce template.

All of my salesforce templates have Subject lines with dates and sequential info, eg. [Publication Name] Update #46. Currently, using the old editor, I create an email in the old editor, and just modify the subject.

Now, with the new editor, I have to type the subject field (really not the intention of integrating with SFDC templates, right?).

This makes no sense and adds frustration to my workflow. iContact has a very seamless SFDC integration. I am using their system for most emails I send through SFDC. It is because of this very issue I am not using VR.

Any chance you guys are going to develop a tighter integration with SFDC? I prefer VR over iContact, but this terrible oversight of SFDC customers concerns me.

FYI, if you don't think Salesforce customers of yours need to send SFDC templates, iContact's Salesforce integration works exclusively with SFDC Templates.

Please respond, publicly or privately. I have emailed this very concern and have not heard back. Thanks.