Instructions

Each copy must display the required disclaimer. Please add the disclaimer to the message prior to submitting for approval: This email is being sent on behalf of (Name of sponsor) and the information it contains is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB).

All mentions of the event on eblasts (including the subject line and pre-header text) must be displayed as follows:  2024 AABB Annual Meeting

Download a copy of the instructions here.

1: Request a transmission date

2. Submit Message for Pre-Approval

All marketing materials are subject to approval prior to distribution. Messages should be in .html format but can be submitted via PDF at this stage. 

Each copy must display the required disclaimer. Please add the disclaimer to the message prior to submitting for approval: This email is being sent on behalf of (Name of sponsor) and the information it contains is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB).

All mentions of the event on eblasts (including the subject line and pre-header text) must be displayed as follows:  2024 AABB Annual Meeting

3. Prepare for your eBlast (order):

Email Message: All messages must be in .html format. A text version is requested, but not required. If you require assistance with creating your message in HTML format, please contact us for more information.

  • HTML Version: (.html file format). All images should be hosted. Image hosting is available for a small additional fee.
  • Plain text version: no dynamic links (they should all be spelled out), no images or special characters. (.txt file format).  This is not required but is suggested for recipients that have high-security settings and only receive plain text messages.

View Online Link:  If you would like a view online link added to the top of your email, please include a blank row on top with the following text: ‘View Online’ or “View in Browser”.  For the link use: # (we will edit & add the link) or {{~~ViewAsHtml~~}} (this tells the system to add the link automatically once your email is set up).

CAN-SPAM Footer (Opt Out Text):  We add the opt-out text.  Please include a blank row at the bottom of your email as a placeholder.

From Line: The from line of each message will say: AABB on behalf of (Your Company Name Here)

Subject Line: Create a subject line for your message. You are encouraged to keep it under 44 characters to avoid truncating on computers. The maximum for mobile devices would be 25-30 characters.

Snippet/Pre-Header Text: When viewing an inbox, an email snippet is the very first line of text that your email recipient will see, following the email subject line. Some good practices when determining your snippet:

  • Snippets should remain between 30-80 characters in length.
  • They should be a continuation of the subject line.
  • Include a specific, actionable CTA to encourage readers to open the message.

Seeds/Decoy Email Addresses: Email addresses for yourself and colleagues (if requested). These email addresses will be used to send a test of each message for approval as well as the final deployment of your message.

4. Setup Your Eblast

All submissions should be sent at least a week in advance of your approved transmission date.

Please Note:

  • This is not the form you already completed when you registered and/or paid.  This form simply requests the information needed to setup your eblast for testing and deployment.
  • Each transmission includes 2 test messages. Additional tests will incur an additional fee per test.
  • Creative services are available. Fees will apply to convert messages to HTML or remove coding from a 3rd party system. Inquire for details.
  • Transmission reports will be sent for each eblast after the event.

General HTML Guidelines

  • Opt-Out Statement is provided. You are not required to add one. Optional: Please include a blank row at the bottom of your email as a place holder.
  • View Online Link: If you would like a view online link added to the top of your email, please include a blank row on top with following text:  ‘View Online’  or “View in Browser”. For the link use: # (we will edit & add the link) or {{~~ViewAsHtml~~}}  (this tells the system to add the link automatically once your email is setup).
  • Do not use a PDF to Email converter.  The coding does not work for email.
  • The width of your emails should be 600-800 pixels. This will display better on most clients. The width must be a whole-number pixel value.
  • Keep your design simple. Try to use table-based layers and avoid coding that requires HTML floats or positioning.
  • Background images generally do not load on most email clients.
  • Images: Make the file size as lightweight as possible. Rule of thumb: a visually-complex color JPG at 500px by 500px should be around 100 kb. Make sure that the image’s dimensions are whole-number pixel values.
  • Make sure your message includes text.  You should never design an email that is one large image. Sending a mass email with only one large image and no text can be ineffective as it may get flagged as spam, fail to convey important information to recipients who cannot view images, and hinder accessibility for individuals using screen readers.
  • Do not include your from line, subject line, or snippet (pre-header text) on the HTML file unless you want it displayed on the email message.
  • Avoid elements that require Flash or JavaScript. If you would like animation or movement in an email, a .gif is your best bet.
  • Use as few columns as your content needs.
  • Try not to have overlapping visual elements.
  • Don’t forget about mobile devices.  People are opening emails on mobile devices more and more each day.  Your email should be readable on these devices and look close to the desktop version. Make sure links are clearly visible and can easily be clicked on as well.

Fonts: Use even/whole number fonts (ex- 10px vs 9x or 9.5px). Most email clients only read specific fonts.  Custom fonts work in some email clients but will fall back to a default system. If you have your own font, you should limit that to your logo or any text you add to images.

  • Email Safe/Friendly Fonts: Arial, Courier New, Georgia, Helvetica, Lucida Sans, Tahoma, Times New Roman, Trebuchet MS
  • Web Safe Fonts: Lato, Open Sans, Oswald, Oxygen, Poppins, Quicksand, Merriweather, Raleway, Roboto, Rubik, Ubuntu. Web-safe fonts and email-safe fonts are different. Web-safe fonts are specifically made for use on websites and can’t be found in operating systems or software. They’re added to websites using special tools. Email clients, like Gmail or Outlook, have their own set of email-safe fonts. These fonts may not be the same across all email clients. For instance, Gmail supports fonts like Open Sans and Roboto, but Outlook and Apple Mail don’t. However, if an email client doesn’t support a specific font, it will use a default font instead:  Apple Mail: Helvetica, Gmail: Arial, Outlook: Calibri.

Note:  Email coding is not as advanced as coding used for web design.  There are a number of email template builders available online.  We also provide creative services billed by the hour.  Please inquire if you’d like a quote.

Marketing Guidelines

  • All marketing materials are subject to approval prior to distribution and must display the following disclaimer: This email is being sent on behalf of (Name of sponsor) and the information it contains is neither sponsored nor endorsed by the Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB).
  • All mentions of the event must be displayed as: 2024 AABB Annual Meeting
  • All messages must be approved by the AABB (see message approval above).
  • All orders must be submitted one week in advance of your approved transmission date.
  • Each transmission includes 2 test messages.  Additional tests may incur a fee per test.
  • Creative services are available. Fees will apply to convert messages to HTML or remove coding from a 3rd party system. Inquire for details.