A step-by-step guide to creating and sending professional newsletters using Zeffy's email editor.
To learn how to send emails to all or a segment of your contacts, consult this article.
Step 1: Access the Newsletter Editor
- Log into your Zeffy account
- Navigate to the Contacts section in the left-hand menu
- Click on Emails
- Click New Email in the top right corner
Step 2: Choose Your Starting Point
You have two options:
-
Start with a Template:
- Click the Template button
- Select Zeffy templates
- Choose from options like:
- Newsletter templates
- Fundraising appeals
- Event recaps
- Invitations
- Follow-up templates
-
Start from Scratch:
- Design your own layout and save it as a template so you can use it in the future!
Step 3: Build Your Newsletter Content
Use the left-hand menu to add elements:
-
Add Content Elements:
- Click Content section
- Add elements by dragging and dropping:
- Text boxes
- Headings
- Images
- Buttons (for donation forms or event links)
- Dividers
- Social media icons
- Videos
- HTML content
-
Add Structure:
- Click Blocks section
- Choose your layout:
- Full-width blocks
- Two-column layouts (50-50 split)
- Other custom arrangements
- Add Images:

- Click Images section
- Either:
- Search for images using keywords
- Upload your own images
- Either:
- Drag selected images into your newsletter
Step 4: Customize Design
In the Body section:
- Select your font style
- Choose text colors
- Set background colors
- Adjust content width
- Align content
- Customize other typography settings
Step 5: Personalize Your Content
In the text box, you can add personal touches by clicking on "Variables":
- Use variables for personalization:
- First name
- Last name
- Add your organization's branding
- Include relevant links and calls-to-action
Step 6: Mobile Optimization
- Click the mobile preview option
- Review how your newsletter looks on mobile devices
- Make adjustments if needed
Step 7: Prepare for Sending
-
Click Next in the top right corner
-
Set up sending details:
- Write your subject line
- Set sender name (visible to recipients)
- Note: Replies will go to your Zeffy account email
-
Add recipients:
- Select from Zeffy contacts
- Import from MailChimp or Gmail (You can find instructions for this here: Importing contacts into Zeffy)
- Add file attachements
- Please note that the maximum file size is 20MB.
Step 8: Test and Send
- Click "Send Test Email" to preview
- Review:
- Layout
- Links
- Content
- Personalization
- Make any final adjustments
- Send to your recipient list OR schedule it to send at a later time
Pro Tips
- Save your custom designs as templates for future use
- Keep your layout clean and organized
- Use images thoughtfully
- Test all interactive elements before sending
- Monitor newsletter performance in the Emails section
Remember: After sending, you can track opens and clicks through the Emails section of your Zeffy account.