We've been working hard here at Infusionsoft central to create some killer samples and templates that you can use when sending email blasts and when creating campaigns.

We'll have two different kinds of "Templates", Design/Layout Templates and Content Templates.

For example, we may have 20 different design/layout templates for email blasts that all have a different look and feel. Some of them have strong themes, like for certain holidays, others might just be different styles and colors. (Examples: Southwest theme, Valentines day theme, Light with border, Happy birthday, etc.).

Then, we may also have 20 or 30 CONTENT templates that include the structure of the piece and sample copy. (Examples: Humble apology letter, Double opt-in request, Event promo, Valentines day promo, Mini-newsletter example).

So Here's the question: Do you have any recommendations about how to simply make these design and content templates available to you in the software? We've been through many other software applications that typically just have "design templates", and I feel like it will be helpful to have the design and content separated.

Seems like most people will get settled into a design template that they are comfortable with, but then pick new content templates to help overcome writer's block. Sometimes you'll want to start from scratch. Sometimes you'll go plain text (no need for design layout), sometimes you'll want HTML emails.

Any comments, ideas, examples you like in other software programs, etc. would be very helpful. Sooner the better! If you don't have time or energy to write your ideas, but you're open to a phone call from one of our product managers, please email bradm@infusionsoft.com.

Thanks!

Scott

PS For bonus points, your feedback on how to apply this same thinking to Campaigns would be helpful (Examples: New customer welcome campaign, Free report follow-up campaign, Appointment, no sale campaign, Failed Credit Card follow-up campaign.) Same thing applies here... there'll be content templates and design templates.

Hi Scott, I am excited to get these,

The best way for us to get these would be to just put them in. However, please give a prefix to anything you put in our system.

Our templates and groups and pretty much everything in our system has prefixes as part of their name so we can quickly see what we are getting into.

INFUSION Design Template (IDT)
INFUSION Content Template (ICT)

IDT Apology Letter
IDT Valentines Email

ICT Apology Letter
ICT Valentines Email

Our system currently looks like this...
MBT DEV Joomla Module Building
MBT DEV Joomla Design Develompent 1
MBT DEV Joomla Design Development 2
MBT DEV Joomla Design Development Final
MBT DEV Content Implementation
MBT CRM Implementation Training - Groups, Emails
MBT Account Creation Success
MBT P&P Creation Data Entry Point
MBT IMP Ticket Create
MBT IMP Business Survey Email
MBT IMP Business Strategy/Data Transfer
MBT IMP Welcome Call Email
MBT Choosing a Shopping Cart
MBT IMP Training 1 - Basics
MBT IMP Training 2 - Admin/Data Segmentation
MBT IMP Training 3 - Marketing
MBT IMP Training 4 - eCommerce

And so forth and so on, it makes it way easier for us to get around in the system.

Hope this helps!


Micah Mitchell
ICC

hi scott,

if the new API allows for it these templates should go into a sub-folder.

having the ability to store content and templates in a end-user customizable folder structure would be a great way to organize information like this in the longterm. as these databases get older a straight list format will become less and less manageable.

thanks,
bevan

Hi Scott,

I am not sure if this is what you are looking for, but within the templates area of the user screen, you might actually make a form template and add drop downs to it or use a merge field type box or something that you could choose the content. I know its kind of simplistic, but I am not a programmer or anything...but that would be very useful to me. I know it would speed up the process and people are used to the merge box in the email templates. Does that make sense?
I hope that type of example is what you are looking for, if not please disregard the post. If so, I hope that kind of gives you an idea of what I would like to be able to use. You already have the merge boxes in there, why not make the most of them

Thanks...one of your newest ICC's w/o training yet
Sharon Wainscott

It makes sense to separate content from form, IMO. I'd think most users would choose the template they like and stick with it, changing content as they test and find what works. Anyone else have an opinion? This is my first time using this type of software, so perhaps the extra step of choosing template, then choosing content would be an issue?

The content templates or examples would be very helpful since not everyone is experienced in the art of follow-up marketing. In the past I've "borrowed" the format from offers I receive in my in-box, especially those from the more experienced marketers.

Are these being kept under wraps until the new software release?

Kathryn

Kathryn Martyn Smith, M.NLP
http://www.OneMoreBite-Weightloss.com
Ending Emotional Eating, One Bite at a Time

I like your Idea. Separating the two is helpful

I gather from what you are saying these are editable templates. That is good.

What would be most helpful for me would be able to click on a button that (how we created it) This would then show the sequence you used to make this template.

Now we have Idea, Editable templates, and we know how it was created.

Duane Kunz
Heartland Medical Distribution.

Right on Sharon. There are a lot of us who need things simple. This idea works for the every day things we do as small business people. Automation is great but we have to do the simple things too.

DuaneK wrote:
Right on Sharon. There are a lot of us who need things simple. This idea works for the every day things we do as small business people. Automation is great but we have to do the simple things too.

I agree with you Duarek!

Maybe this will help a little bit.
It's free and it generates some templates designed for Infusionsoft forms and an html email template for Infusionsoft.

Yes, with instructions...
http://infusionalliance.com/forge/InfusionCon2009/

Scott,
After 1 year and 4 months when will this be ready? I don't have Dreamweaver. I can't get Templatezone because it doesn't work on a Mac. This needs to be a priority that happens by the end of the year if not sooner. I can't believe how bad my emails look on Outlook. I'm having to send plain text emails and it's a real drag.
We're supposed to be an email marketing company. Please move this to the top of your list.
Wes