Looking for a quick and easy way to make your announcements more engaging? Rather than using an announcement to update your community, why not create a newsletter? You can add and embed fun widgets such as photos, a poll, and links to make your newsletters stand out and interactive!
How to start a newsletter from scratch
1. click the + on the right of the navigation bar and select Newsletter by Smore.
If you are accessing Newsletters by Smore for the first time you will see this pop-up:
2. If you haven’t got an existing Smore Account click on Start a Newsletter.
Note: If you want to Copy a newsletter from an Existing Smore Account click on Copy from an Existing Smore Account. Click here to learn more about copying newsletters from existing accounts.
3. If you are starting a new newsletter from Scratch once you are on the My Newsletters page click Start a newsletter on the top right.
Choose your template and click the ‘start editing’ button.
4. Click on the drown under Choose Design and select your design preference.
Note: Our limited edition backgrounds change seasonally.
If you want to find out more about each design style Click here.
5. Click on background, color and font to select your preference.
Pro tip: Add a custom background to help personalize your newsletter and strengthen engagement. Click here to learn more.
6. Click on Add your logo to import an image from your device of choice.
7. Hover over the header and click edit to personalize the header.
Learn more about creating a header with Canva here.
8. To upload your own header click on +Upload your own and select an image from your device.
9. When you are ready click Done.
Note: The optimum size for a custom header is 700 x 280 pixels.
10. Add your content in either of 2 ways:
- Under Add content on the right side of your newsletter, click on the widget you want to add and click on the relevant +Add Here button.
2. Hover over any section in your newsletter and click the green "+" button
Note: Once the widget is open, fill all the required sections and click done.
Note: To change layout out of any section, hover over a section and click layout. Then select the preferred layout.
Note: To edit something in the section, hover over the section and click Edit. This will open the widget to allow editing.
Note: Hover over any section and click the trashcan to remove the section
Note: To change the positioning or order of your sections click on any section and drag and drop it into the appropriate place.
Click here to learn more about the widget options.
11. Hover over the footer and click edit to personalize your footer. (dont have up to date screenshots)
- Add your Name
- Add your Title (optional)
- Add a Bio (optional)
- Add your Social Media Handles (optional)
Note:When you are finished click done.
12. To turn on the Table of Contents toggle the button to the right.
The Table of Content will be pulled together by all the ‘Titles’ you include in your newsletter.
13. To hide a title from the Table of Contents hover over a title in the Table of Content and click on the eye.
Note: This Table of Content will not appear in your feed on Connect, but only once the newsletter is opened up into a browser.
14. When you are ready to share the newsletter click Preview and share.
Looking to change the settings of your newsletter? Click here to learn more.
Click here to learn how to share your newsletter as an Announcement
Commonly asked questions:
How do I save my changes?
The changes made to the draft of your newsletter will save automatically five seconds after the changes are made. To make sure that your changes are saved, it is best to use Google Chrome as your main browser and only have one tab open when editing your Smore. We also recommend clicking "done" after each section to ensure your edits are saved within each section.
Once your newsletter is completed, press the ‘Preview and Share" button to change the published version.
Can I save my newsletter and continue editing it later?
Yes! If you click on the Arrow next to Preview and Share you will be taken back to the My Newsletters Page.
Here you can find all your live and draft newsletters. To continue editing, hover over any newsletter in your newsletter library and click edit.
What is the difference between a draft and a published newsletter?
A draft is a newsletter that hasn't been published yet to the online version of the newsletter. This means that no one but yourself (the owner of the account) can access this draft.
Once you click on the ‘Preview and Share’ button, your newsletter changes from a draft into a published newsletter, which means that now you can share your newsletter.
Not seeing Newsletter by Smore?
It could be one of these reasons:
1. You're on a mobile device.
2. You're on the wrong page (temporarily)
3. Public Broadcasts are disabled from your school settings.
To learn more about Smore Newsletters in our Learning Lab Click here.
Click here to return to the main menu- or ask for help!