Design

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.

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.

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.

Our inboxes have been filling up with travel newsletters for spring break in March. Let's take a look at our favorite newsletters and see how their email designs stack up.

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!

Don't only use images in your email design! Watch this quick video on how using HTML colors alongside images can solve many of the image rendering issues in your email marketing.

The upcoming Academy Awards ceremony has us thinking about big screens, red carpets, buckets of buttery popcorn—and good design, of course. So, how do companies in the movie and video industries take what they know about the powerful medium of film and use that to communicate in email? Let's have a look at email design for movie promotions.

Earlier this week, we looked at clever ways brands are using HTML background colors in email. Today's workshop is about applying what we learned and showing you how to use HTML colors with images and improve your email design.

Political campaigning takes money. A lot of money. Much of that amount will go toward TV ads, but as campaign teams become savvier with online marketing, spending on digital campaigning (everything appearing on computers, smartphones, or tablets) is increasingly important. While social media strategies are now critical for presidential candidates, email marketing remains king.

We're excited to introduce a new series to the Email Design Workshop: Fix It with Beefree. In Fix It with Beefree posts, we'll take a look at a real email we've rece...

A photo collage in email is the perfect way to display stunning images and tell a compelling visual story while avoiding the pitfalls of a single-image email. With great stock photos now easier to get than ever, even free of charge (we particularly like Pexels), you're in the driver's seat.