Getting Started with Direct Mail

You can use Direct Mail to create, deliver, and track email campaigns. Familiar Mac message editing tools makes it easy to compose messages with colors, images, and tables. Powerful mailing list tools let you manage your lists of addresses ? or let you set up automated lists that manage themselves. Comprehensive reporting features give you access to detailed information on who viewed your message, when they viewed it, and what links were clicked.

When you first open Direct Mail, you will see a blank, untitled document. This project document is where Direct Mail will save all of your messages, addresses, and mailing histories. The first time you save your document, Direct Mail will ask you where you want to save your data (the Documents folder is always a good choice). From there on out, Direct Mail will save your data in the same location automatically.

There are three main tabs in the document window: Messages, Addresses, and History.

Message Tab

On the left-hand side of the window you will see a list of all the messages you have created using Direct Mail. To create a new message, click the + sign at the bottom of the window.

You can use the Format menu to change the formatting of text in your message. The Message menu contains options to import the body of your message from a file or web page, preview what your sent message will look like, or test to see if your message is likely to be blocked by spam filters.

Addresses Tab

On the left-hand side of this tab you will see the address groups you have created. Direct Mail creates one for you by default. Adding new email addresses to your group is easy ? just click the "New Address" button in the toolbar at the top of the window.

The Addresses menu contains options to create a subscription group (an address group where people can subscribe to or unsubscribe from your mailing list via the web), check for duplicates, add additional columns to the email address table, and more.

Sending Your Message

Once you've created your message and assembled your mailing list, you are ready to send your message. Click the Send Message button in the toolbar at the top of the window.

Here you can choose which message to send and who to send it to. You also choose how you want Direct Mail to deliver your message:

• Send via my SMTP server. Using this method, Direct Mail will send email through your regular mail server (just like Apple Mail or your other email programs do). You'll want to double-check that your mail server settings are correct in the Preferences window.

• e3 Delivery Service. This is an optional service provided to Direct Mail Pro users. If you use this method, our servers handle the work of merging and mailing your message, making sending to your mailing list quick and easy, no matter the size.

An important note about sending bulk email: Direct Mail cannot be used to unsolicited bulk email. This means you should not email anyone on purchased email lists or anyone that has not signed up for your mailing list or with whom you have a business relationship.

Viewing Mailing History

After you've sent your message, click the History tab. On the left-hand side you will see a list of all the mailings you have sent. Click the one you're interested in and on the right-hand side of the window you can see who opened the message, who clicked the links, and more (Direct Mail Pro only).

Direct Mail contains many powerful features. You can explore more features by reading this help manual, looking through the menu bar in Direct Mail, and or choosing Direct Mail > Preferences from the menu bar.

Some of Direct Mail's features are restricted until you have purchased a license. You can purchase a license by choosing Direct Mail > Purchase Direct Mail... from the menu bar.