Beefree team

In this workshop we'll be showing you how easy it is to add a countdown timer in your email messages. Our tools for this workshop will be the new custom HTML block in the Beefree editor, along with a simple, free-to-use online tool that will generate the HTML for our countdown email timer.

Last week, top email marketers and strategists came together in New Orleans for the Email Evolution Conference 2016 (EEC2016). Through panel events, breakout sessions, and workshops, email marketers came together to trade advice, insights, tech, and trends for 2016. Missed it? Don't worry—we rounded up the top email design tips from the conference, straight from the participants themselves.

Easter is arriving early this year on March 27th. Easter emails have already been popping up in our inboxes, and marketers are seizing the opportunity to bring good cheer, from deals and discounts to playful designs and clever messaging. End the hunt for eggcellent Easter emails—here's a selection of inspiring messages to get you excited about creating your own campaign!

For small businesses, email marketing is a cost-effective way to boost sales, attract new clients, promote services, strengthen relationships, and a lot more. If only it were that simple! A huge step along the way? Actually making the emails themselves—with smart design. A well-designed email communicates visually, is easy to understand, looks great on mobile screens, and converts. If you're a small business, be sure you're implementing these email design tactics in your marketing strategy.

Countdown timers are one of the most effective ways to add urgency to your email message. And it's no wonder: when readers open an email with a timer, they instantly see a ticking clock with seconds slipping away in real time. It's a powerful tool. Countdown timers can be implemented in multiple ways in your email campaigns. Read on to get inspired by this roundup of great timers, and start planning your own.

In today's workshop, we'll show you how to create awesome email signatures in the Beefree editor. An email signature isn't just for person-to-person business messages; creative signoffs are used in marketing emails to add a personal touch.

Email signatures aren't just for person-to-person business emails. Many brands use special, designed sign-offs to make marketing messages more personal, seizing an opportunity to show readers what their brand is all about and to leave a lasting impression. After all, emails aren't written and designed by robots, but by a team of real people. If you're using email signatures in your messages, or if you're intrigued by the idea, check out how other companies use email signatures to make sure you're implementing best practices.

Are you heading to SXSW this week? Whether you'll be on the ground at South by Southwest, or you're just following the going-on via Twitter, you're sure to get new tech insights and learn about exciting new technology and startups during the festival. The Austin-based event has become a seedbed for creativity and fresh ideas, from music to tech. There really is something for everyone at SXSW—and our inboxes reflect that.

Stuck on how to make your email campaign stand out or want to try something new? Check out these Pinterest email design boards to get inspired. Be sure to follow us on Pinterest!