> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.fanaura.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Sending an Email Blast

> Step-by-step guide to creating and sending beautiful email blasts to your fans, including audience selection, email design, scheduling, and template management.

Email blasts are the go-to way to make big announcements to your fans. Whether it's a new release, a tour announcement, or a merch drop, a well-designed email with your artwork and branding makes a serious impression.

This guide walks you through every step of creating and sending an email blast.

## Creating Your Email Blast

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start a New Blast">
    1. Navigate to the **Blasts** page from the sidebar
    2. Make sure you're on the **Blasts** tab (not Inbox)
    3. Click the **New Blast** button
    4. Select **Email** as your blast type

    You'll enter the blast builder, which walks you through audience, design, and send settings.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Select Your Audience">
    Choose who receives your email. This is where targeting makes all the difference.

    **Audience Options:**

    * **All Fans** -- send to your entire fanbase with email addresses on file
    * **Fan Lists** -- select one or more curated lists you've created (e.g., "NYC Fans," "Presave Squad," "Merch Buyers")
    * **Custom Filters** -- build your audience on the fly using location, VIP tier, engagement, or activity filters

    <Info>As you add or remove filters, the **estimated audience count** updates in real time at the top of the selection panel. For example, selecting "Gold tier fans" + "Located in Texas" might show an audience of 342 fans.</Info>

    **Exclusions:** You can also exclude specific lists or segments. This is useful when you want to send to "All Fans" but exclude people who already received a similar message through a flow.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Design Your Email">
    This is where the fun happens. Build your email using the visual editor.

    ### Subject Line

    Your subject line is the first thing fans see in their inbox. Make it count.

    * Keep it under 50 characters for best mobile display
    * Use merge tags for personalization: `{fan_first_name}, your exclusive early access is here`
    * Create urgency when appropriate: "48 hours left to presave"

    <Warning>Avoid ALL CAPS and excessive punctuation in subject lines. Spam filters flag these patterns and your email may never reach your fans' inboxes.</Warning>

    ### Preheader Text

    The preheader is the short preview text that appears next to the subject line in most email clients. It's your second chance to get someone to open the email.

    * Keep it under 100 characters
    * Don't repeat your subject line -- add additional context
    * Example: Subject "New single Friday" + Preheader "Plus: exclusive merch and a surprise for presavers"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Build with the Visual Editor">
    Fanaura includes a powerful drag-and-drop email builder. No coding required.

    **Available blocks:**

    * **Text** -- write paragraphs, headings, or any formatted text
    * **Image** -- upload artwork, photos, or graphics (drag to upload or browse)
    * **Button** -- add call-to-action buttons (presave links, merch links, ticket links)
    * **Divider** -- visual separators between sections
    * **Social Links** -- add your Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram, TikTok, and other platform icons
    * **Tour Dates** -- insert a formatted list of your upcoming tour dates directly into the email
    * **Columns** -- create multi-column layouts for side-by-side content
    * **Spacer** -- add breathing room between elements

    **Customization:**

    * Drag blocks to reorder them
    * Click any block to edit its content, colors, fonts, and spacing
    * Set background colors for the entire email or individual sections
    * Upload your own header and footer images
  </Step>

  <Step title="Configure Send Settings">
    ### From Name and From Email

    * **From Name** -- the name fans see in their inbox (usually your artist name)
    * **From Email** -- the email address it comes from (configured in your settings)

    ### Scheduling

    <Tabs>
      <Tab title="Send Now">
        The blast sends immediately after you confirm. Use this for time-sensitive announcements where every minute counts.
      </Tab>

      <Tab title="Schedule for Later">
        Pick a specific date and time using the calendar date picker and time selector (in 15-minute increments). Choose your timezone or send at the fan's local time.
      </Tab>
    </Tabs>

    <Tip>Sending at the fan's local time is great for "10 AM Tuesday" sends where you want everyone to see it at the start of their day, no matter where they are.</Tip>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Preview and Send">
    Before your blast goes out to thousands of fans, review everything.

    * See exactly what your email looks like on **desktop** and **mobile**
    * Toggle between views to check layout and readability
    * Verify merge tags are working (they'll show sample data in preview)
    * Check all links are correct

    <Warning>**Always send a test email before the real thing.** Click **Send Test** to send a copy to yourself (or any email address). This is the single most important step — typos in a blast to 10,000 fans are not fun.</Warning>

    **Things to check in your test:**

    * Subject line and preheader look right
    * Images load correctly
    * All links work and go to the right places
    * Merge tags display properly
    * Layout looks good on your phone

    Once you're happy, click **Send** (or **Schedule**), confirm the audience count and timing, and your blast is on its way.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Template Library

Don't want to start from scratch? Browse the **Template Library** for pre-built designs:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Release Announcement" icon="music">
    Album artwork front and center with streaming links.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Tour Announcement" icon="bus">
    Tour poster style with date list and ticket buttons.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Merch Drop" icon="shirt">
    Product grid layout with "Shop Now" buttons.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Newsletter" icon="newspaper">
    Clean, editorial layout for regular updates.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Fan Exclusive" icon="star">
    VIP-styled template for special announcements.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Presave Reminder" icon="clock">
    Countdown-style template for release week.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

Click any template to start with it, then customize everything to match your brand.

### My Templates

Save any email you build as a reusable template:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Design Your Email">
    Build your email using the visual editor with your branding and layout.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save as Template">
    Click **Save as Template** at the top of the builder.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Name Your Template">
    Give it a name (e.g., "My Standard Newsletter Layout").
  </Step>

  <Step title="Reuse Anytime">
    Find it later under the **My Templates** tab in the template library.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>Saving templates is a huge time-saver for recurring blasts like monthly newsletters. Build your perfect layout once, then reuse it every month.</Tip>

## Merge Tags

Insert dynamic, personalized content anywhere in your email:

| Tag                | What it inserts                |
| ------------------ | ------------------------------ |
| `{fan_first_name}` | The fan's first name           |
| `{fan_last_name}`  | The fan's last name            |
| `{artist_name}`    | Your artist name               |
| `{latest_title}`   | Your most recent release title |

<Info>Use merge tags in subject lines, body text, and even button text. A personalized email feels like a personal message, not a mass blast. Emails with the fan's first name in the subject line get 26% higher open rates on average.</Info>

## Draft Saving

Your blast **auto-saves as a draft** as you work. If you close the browser, lose your internet connection, or just need to come back later, your draft will be waiting for you on the Blasts page.

<Note>Drafts show up with a "Draft" status badge so you can easily find and resume them. No work is ever lost.</Note>

## What Happens Next

After your blast sends:

* You'll see delivery progress in real time on the blast detail page
* Stats start populating within minutes (opens, clicks)
* Fan replies to the email don't come back to Fanaura (they go to your from email)
* Full analytics are available within 24 hours
* Check the [Blast Analytics](/blasts/analytics) guide for details on reading your stats

## Best Practices

<Tip>**Mobile first.** Over 70% of your fans will read this on their phone. Use large fonts, big buttons, and single-column layouts for the best experience.</Tip>

<Warning>**One clear call to action.** Don't ask fans to presave, buy merch, AND RSVP all in one email. Pick the most important action and make it prominent.</Warning>

* **Send at optimal times.** Tuesday through Thursday mornings tend to get the best open rates. Avoid weekends and late nights.
* **Personalize everything.** Emails with the fan's first name in the subject line get 26% higher open rates on average.
* **Keep it short.** Your fans are busy. Get to the point, show the artwork, and make it easy to take action.
* **Test, test, test.** Always send a test email to yourself and at least one other person before sending to your list.