How to send a HTML newsletter?

[sing2trees]

Hi all,
Hope this is the right place to post this!

My manager sends out an email each week to the business giving an update. At the minute it is just plain text, but she wants to put it in a nicer format with a logo, a few images etc. However, the file size must remain small because of the number of people it goes out to.

My question is - what is the best way of doing this? I have suggested still sending it as plain text, but with a link to a HTML version on the intranet, but she wants the 'colourful' version sent to all staff.

Secondly - she wants to be able to do it, so the simpler the better!

Any suggestions?!

Many thanks!

Ben

[Monie]

What email service do your boss use? Yahoo Mail, Gmail, etc.. or the company's one?
Is it a web base email application?

[sing2trees]

Sorry - realised I forgot to put that important info in!!

We use two systems, Outlook (2000, 2003, 2007) and another one called scalix, which can read HTML.

The email would be sent out via Outlook, but I need to keep the size as small as possible - possibly linking images to the intranet?

The email is only sent out internally..

Hope that helps!

[karinne]

These two link might help

A Guide to CSS Support in Email: 2007 Edition
Optimizing CSS presentation in HTML emails

Campaign Monitor is a great place to start for HTML emails ... check their blog.

[Lchad]

If you want to very professional
Vertical Response and Constant Contact are two great email programs.

[Emzi]

Create it using HTML linking all images to an external URL (eg. www.yoursite.com/images/imagname.gif).

In Outlook there's an option to choose your Stationery - if you select the HTML file you create as the Stationery, all you need to do is input the email addresses and click send

[webgal]

It rocks to just pick the stationary and type in it and let it fly.