The Content Management (Email) feature lets you create your message layout and message content separately. This separation facilitates the creation of messages and message content, with or without HTML experience.

In the Content Management (Email) feature, you work with four basic elements.

  • Frameworks

  • Blocks

  • Email templates

  • Email messages

Frameworks and blocks are the reusable elements that form the foundation of your email templates and email messages.

Templates are the reusable elements that provide the basic layout for your email messages. The template layout is based on the framework and the blocks that you select.

Email messages are the completed content that you send to your contacts. When you create an email message, you can refine the message layout and add customized block content to the blocks.

Concept​

Element

Framework

Block

Email Template

Email Message

​Graphic​

​Definition​

A framework builds the foundation of an email message.

The head of a framework defines metadata:

  • Title

  • Character encoding

  • CSS and media queries

The body of a framework contains placeholders (block areas) for the actual content of the email message. That means, a framework determines how an email message is displayed in different email clients and on different devices (responsive design).

You need email HTML knowledge to create frameworks.

A block represents a specific area in your email message. A block is a reusable piece of variable content, for example two columns of text.

A block is filled with content during email message creation.

To create blocks, you need email HTML knowledge.

An email template is a reusable and flexible combination of blocks.

The email template is based on a framework. You create your template with the blocks a framework accepts in the framework body at specific places.

In CEP, you do not need any email HTML knowledge to create an email template. You can create email templates in our drag-and-drop visual editor.

An email message is the email template that is filled with the completed content that you send to your contacts.

To create email messages, you do not need any email HTML knowledge.

You create the email message in a user-friendly visual editor.

​Concept​

The block areas in the body of a framework define the location and type of blocks the framework supports.

Changes made to a framework are automatically applied to the email template that uses the framework.

Block areas are added to the body of a framework. When you create an email template or message, the framework determines which blocks are available. The code of the block defines which parts of the content are editable.

When you edit the code of a block, the changes are automatically applied to all email templates that use the block.

An email template sets up the basic layout for your email message. This layout is based on a framework and different blocks.

You drag the available blocks to the desired position.

An email message is created based on an email template and the layout the template provides.

Before you send the email message to your contacts, you customise the content of each block.

During message creation, you can arrange, add, and remove blocks to refine the layout of your message.


Possible Use Cases​

Element

Use Case

​Framework​

Your marketing department chooses a new color palette for external customer communications. This choice affects your weekly newsletter. To comply with the new color options, your email developer needs to change the background color of your email message. To integrate the new color, your email developer updates the HTML framework that you use for your weekly newsletter template.

The changes are automatically applied to the email template of your weekly newsletter. New messages that you create based on the updated framework have the updated background color.

Following permissions are required:

  • ​2100 Content Management: Use Frameworks.​

  • ​2102 Content Management: Edit Frameworks​

​Block​

The executive board of your company has a new member. This information is part of a locked block that is by default part of all your email templates and email messages. Your email developer has to change the details as you are unable to edit the content of the block. To do so your email developer updates the information in the HTML code of the imprint block.

The changes are automatically adapted to all email templates.

Following permissions are required:

  • ​2100 Content Management: Use Blocks.​

  • ​2102 Content Management: Edit Blocks​

​Email Template​

Within your campaign, you send weekly newsletters to your contacts. To promote brand recognition, all newsletters in the campaign need the same layout. To send newsletters with a consistent layout, you create an email template that you use for all your newsletters. Each newsletter that you create with the email template follows the same layout.

Following permissions are required:

  • ​2100 Content Management: Use Frameworks.​

  • ​2120 Content Management: Use Email Templates​

  • ​2121 Content Management: Create Email Templates​

Related Topics​