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Guide ▸ Create Your First Email Document

Who is this for? Anyone new to Publishing who wants to draft and send their first broadcast email in minutes.

At‑a‑Glance​

DifficultyBeginner
Estimated Time5‑10 minutes
Prerequisites• Sender email configured
• At least one Tag in People module

1. Launch the Editor​

  1. Go to Publishing → New Document.
  2. An Untitled Document opens (see screenshot). You’ll see:
    • A clean canvas with a “Start writing, or press / for commands…” placeholder.
    • Toolbar for bold, italics, headings, lists, link, etc.
    • Add a tag dropdown to choose recipients.
    • Right‑hand Styling panel for page‑level settings.

2. Pick a Template (Optional)​

  • Click File → Templates or choose from the welcome modal.
  • Prefer a bespoke look? Email your existing campaign HTML to support@FundiFI and we’ll convert it for you—free on all paid plans.

3. Add Content Blocks​

Type / on a new line (or within existing text) to pop open the inline block menu—pictured above. Blocks are grouped into Format and Insert categories.

Format Blocks​

  • Heading 1 – Large section or document title
  • Heading 2 – Sub‑section heading
  • Bullet List – Unordered points
  • Numbered List – Ordered steps
  • Task List – Checkbox to‑dos
  • Quote – Pull‑quote or attribution

Insert Blocks​

  • Image – Upload or pick from your media library
  • Table – Add a grid of rows & columns
  • Divider – Horizontal rule for visual separation
  • Link – Stand‑alone hyperlink block
  • Section – Full‑width container you can style independently (ideal for multi‑column layouts)

Tip: Start typing the block name right after / to narrow the list, then press Enter to insert.

4. Draft & Refine with the AI Assistant​

The built‑in Assistant can help at every stage:

  1. Idea to Draft – “Draft a 3‑paragraph newsletter about our summer fundraiser.”
  2. Rewrite & Tone Shift – Highlight text → /assistant Rewrite to sound more inspirational and shorter.
  3. Optimize for Conversion – Ask for punchier subject lines, stronger CTAs, or preview‑text suggestions.
  4. Proof & Final Polish – “Check this email for typos and broken links.”

You have full control—accept, edit, or discard any suggestion.

5. Style the Page​

In the right‑side Styling → page tab you can:

  • Set a background color or image.
  • Change default font and text color.
  • Adjust alignment with one click.

Reset Page Styles at the bottom if you need to start over.

6. Preview & Test​

  1. Click Preview (eye icon) to see mobile + desktop views.
  2. Hit Send Test → enter your email → confirm the test arrives as expected.

7. Add Recipients​

  • Open Add a tag dropdown and select one or more Tags.
  • The live recipient count appears so you know your reach.

8. Send or Schedule​

OptionHow
Send NowClick Send and confirm in the modal
ScheduleChoose Schedule → pick date & time → Save

The Publishing will queue the broadcast and handle time zone conversion automatically.

9. Track Performance​

After sending, open the broadcast detail page to watch opens, clicks, and bounces roll in real‑time.

Pro Tips​

  • Subject Lines Matter – Aim for 5–8 words; avoid spam‑trigger phrases like “Act now!!!”.
  • Personalize – Use /merge First Name to greet supporters by name.
  • Keep It Scannable – Paragraphs ≤ 3 sentences, leverage headings & bullets.

Troubleshooting​

IssueFix
Images look blurryUpload at least 1200 px wide; use JPG for photos, PNG for graphics
Merge fields not renderingEnsure the field exists on every recipient record or set a fallback (e.g. "friend")
Test email in spamVerify your sending domain and warm up with small sends