Using a variety of the content widgets is a great way to keep your newsletter interesting and engaging. Read this article to learn more about each widget.
Title
Use the title to help separate your content into shorter sections so that your newsletter is easy to read. When you insert text into the Title widget your text will be larger than your regular text. Simply add your text and click 'Done'.
Add emojis by clicking on the ‘emoji’ to the write of the text box.
Change the alignment of the Title by clicking on the ‘Align’ box.
Photos
Add photos to give your community insight into school life. You can either add a column of up to 3 photos or 1 large photo.
Select either columns or Big Photo
Click on each/ the + Add a picture and select the photo to add from your device. If necessary add a Title and description.
Note: The title and description will only save if a photo has been added.
To hyperlink the image click on Make the item linkable and add the relevant web url.
To add Alt Text click on Add alt Text.
To crop your image, hover over it and click on Crop. You can then edit the image with the varying options. Once finished click Done.
Commonly asked Questions:
Are there size requirements for images?
We do not have set dimensions for images. The Editor scales your image depending on its individual size and dimensions.
What are the recommended sizes for images?
- For the 3 image gallery the recommended resolution is minimum 322x197 (Aspect ratio: 1.63:1)
- For the 2 image gallery the recommended resolution is minimum 322x192 (Aspect ratio: 1.68:1)
- For the Big Photo the recommended resolution is minimum 700 x 547
Can I drag and drop images into the Editor?
Yes. You can easily drag and drop images from your computer files or desktop directly into the Image feature.
Videos
To embed a video that viewers can watch within the newsletter add a Youtube, FB or Vimeo video. Add the url to the text box and click Done.
Note: We don't support the ability to upload videos that are not associated with a website URL. This means you must upload the video using either Facebook, YouTube, or Vimeo, and then you will be able to upload it into your newsletter.
Note: You can also search youtube for video by typing right into the search bar.
Commonly asked Questions:
I am having trouble uploading my YouTube video. What can I do?
We recommend following the steps below:
1. Visit the Youtube video you want to embed into your Smore
2. Go to the bottom right and click “share”
3. Copy the highlighted share link
4. Once the link is copied, go back to your Smore editor and click on the “video” widget
5. Paste your URL into the address bar and click “done”.
Can I upload a video that is set as Private?
This depends on the video provider. Some providers, such as YouTube, do offer the ability to upload a private video and some don't. We recommend checking with the relevant provider and the video's privacy settings.
Events
Track events and their RSVPs by adding our event widget.
Simply add details by completing the relevant fields:
- ‘Name’ of the event
- ‘When’ the event starts and ends
- ‘Where’ the event is located
Click on Add event agenda and details to add anymore details.
To collect RSVP’s check the Collect RSVPs to this event box.
When you are done click Done.
Note: You will be able to track the RSVP’s in the Analytics secretion of each newsletter.
Separator
Use our separator to clearly separate your sections keeping your newsletter concise and easy to read.
To change the style of the separator, hover the separator and click on style.
To change the thickness of the separator, hover the separator click on size.
Paragraph
Add text to your newsletter by using the paragraph widget.
Use the standard text toolbar to add and edit your text. You can type straight into the box or paste text in.
Note: All text filled using the paragraph widget will be the font Roboto.
Pro tip: To make the newsletter as clear as possible use the Title Widget for each section of a newsletter rather than the Title option in the paragraph.
Pro tip: Use the tool bar and editing function such as bolding, italics and bulleting to keep your newsletter interesting and easy to read.
Highlight the word and click on the link icon to hyperlink a word.
Click on Add a picture to add an image to make the section more visual.
Once the paragraph is finished click Done.
Pro tip: Hover over the section and click layout to change the position of the image.
Link
Embed a website into your newsletter by using the link widget.
Copy and paste the web URL into the text box and click Done.
Button
Use the button to embed another webpage to your newsletter in the form of a colorful button that no reader will miss.
- Create the button label by adding text to the Button Label field.
- Copy and paste the URL that you want your readers to be directed to.
- Click on Add an explanation to add more information about the embedded web page.
- Click Done.
Form
Embed a google form into your newsletters so that your readers can complete the form while reading their newsletter.
Add the URL of the Google form into the field and click 'Done'.
Note: Your responses will be collected in google not by Analytics of the newsletters.
Attachments
Add must reach attachments to your newsletters so they are easily accessible for your community.
Click on Select a file and upload the file necessary. When you are ready click Done
We support the following file types:
- csv, doc, docx, dot, docm, dotm, pdf, pps, ppt, pot, ppa, pptx, potx, ppsx, ppam, pptm, potm, ppsm, vsd, vsdx, rtf, txt, xls, xlsx, xla, xlsx, xltx, xlsm, xltm, xlam, xlsb, pdf.
- The Attachment feature does not support any image files (png, gif, jpeg, jpg). Use the "Picture" button for these types of files.
Commonly asked questions
Can I attach a Powerpoint presentation?
Yes.
What size files are supported?
We support up to 25 MB.
Who will have access to the files I attached to my newsletter?
Anyone who has access to your newsletter will be able to access the file.
Remember, if you would like to keep your newsletter private, make sure to set your newsletter to private and only share newsletters with viewers you trust.
Can I add an attachment but it will appear as an image in the newsletter?
We're afraid that at this time, there's no way to add an attachment and have it look like an image rather than a link to download the file.
Having said this, a possible workaround would be to take a screenshot of the file and upload it as a regular image to your newsletter!
I try to upload a file using the Attachment feature but nothing happens when I click on the File widget
The most common reason why users have trouble uploading files is that cache is preventing them from being able to access the most recent update of the website.
The cache is your browser history; it’s a place on your hard disk where the browser keeps things it downloaded once in case they’re needed again.
To access the Attachment feature, we recommend clearing the cache in your browser.
I cleared cache but I’m still unable to upload files
No need to worry! It might just require a little more investigation on our end.
Please reach out to our Support Team at support@smore.com and one of our representatives would be happy to help you!
Recipients who view my newsletter on their mobile phones aren’t able to download my attachment
Attachment accessibility entirely depends on the internal browser of the messaging system with which the recipient is viewing the newsletter. Some messaging platforms do not have permission to download attachments directly to a phone.
Our recommendation is to have your recipients view your newsletters from Google Chrome on their phones, as it allows the attachments to be downloaded and opened.
Polls
Polls allow you to hear straight from your readers, increasing the interaction you have with them via your newsletter encouraging them to constantly engage.
Fill in the question you want to ask your audience in the question field
Add the possible answers to the Answer fields
Note: In order to click done you need at least two answer options.
Select when you want voting available to your readers.
Note: your audience will not be able to access the poll before the start date or after the end date has passed.
Choose between Do not show results (Only the author can see the results) or Show live results (Your audience will be able to see the results),
Click Done.
Commonly asked questions:
Why is my audience unable to access the poll from my newsletter?
If your audience reaches out to say that they cannot take your poll, the date listed might be later than you intended. If that is the case, open your newsletter in the New Editor and change the date on the poll to be the current day. Publish your edits, and then ask your audience to try to take the poll again.
Where do I find the results to the poll?
To find the results of your Poll, simply head over to the Analytics of your newsletter and click on Polls.
Can I see who chose what option?
Currently the poll gives you a consensus on the question asked but is unable to tell you specifically who chose which option.
To learn more about Smore Newsletters in our Learning Lab Click here.
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