Know-How Exchange : E-Marketing

You could try MailChimp. (Btw, I've recommended them a few times but am not at all affiliated). They have a free month trial.

You can upload your own recipient list. They will ask you how the recipients opted in, but if they are your own clients you can use the list. You must, however, keep an "unsubscribe" link in the email.

If your email system can handle it, why not send an HTML email (or a rich text one)? Basically, create the HTML "page", and copy it into your email, making sure to set the necessary options to tell the email program that this is HTML, not plain text.

Alternatively, use a mass/bulk email program (not a contact manager), such as:
https://www.group-mail.com/asp/common/default.asp
https://www.massmailsoftware.com/
https://www.email-unlimited.com/

I'm in the "Jay camp". Sending an e-mail to your clients is not SPAM and you can easily just do a simple html e-mail.

Really don't need to do an e-card.

Michael

Don't do a flashy HTML nor include a lot of graphic (making the email large) - you'll get a poor response. Realize that a number of email programs block HTML, so you'll want a solid text version of your email in any event. If you do use rich text, then include a link to your "postcard", with all the flash you want to show, and an offer that will make them want to click the link.

Here are some articles to guide you to write your HTML email correctly:
https://www.sitepoint.com/article/code-html-email-newsletters
https://www.anandgraves.com/html-email-guide

I may be a bit late for your post Jessica, but I own a New York startup that launched a couple weeks ago called Mad Mimi. It does exactly what you seem to need ie. small scope announcement for the launch of your new website. I'm the founder, and because we're starting up our beloved Mad Mimi, I'd be delighted to help you design something lovely at no cost.

Hi Jessica,

Hope all is well. I would like to introduce my self as BDL for Optinbuilders. We are an email marketing firm and we would be able help you in this project. We can roll out email campaigns based on your target criteria and would be able to provide you with complete tracking information like email responses, leads, open rates, CTR, etc , and would help to bring more traffic to you newly launched website..

Opt-in email campaign - List rental based on your specific target market. We will undertake the entire campaign management right from designing, planning and positioning the campaign. With this you can track down details like leads, clicks, email response and opens. All we need is the content for the HTML template and we will undertake the entire campaign management.

The client would be given a unique Username and a Password and they can login anytime on their convenience to view the live performance of the Campaign. This will help them in knowing:

1) Number of clicks, leads, email responses and reviews (view the details with contact name, business name, telephone number and email address)

2) Details and time

3) Number of unsubscribe

4) The client can download/ export the above either in Excel or Word format at their convenience.

Also, view the demo of our nine yards of our Real-Time Email Campaign Tracking

Username: demo
Password: open2007
.

Please let me know if you require any additional information, and also suggest me a convenient time so that I can take you through our campaign traffic platform which would help you to understand how we would be able t to help in bringing more traffic.

It seems to me that it would be a effort to learn to use an Email Marketing Service (ESP) and use it well, even for a one-time announcement.

So why not deploy a campaign and use it consistently? It seems like if you are going to put in the time to do one email you might as well do it regularly and integrate with your other marketing efforts.