When you’re the only person running the entire marketing department of a startup, every minute counts.
For Matt Byrd, Head of Marketing at TravelJoy, an all-in-one platform for travel advisors, managing his time while ensuring the quality of the company’s email campaigns has been a delicate balancing act. But it’s also something he takes great pride in, especially when it comes to creating emails that genuinely stand out.
In a recent conversation with Matt, he shared his journey from coding emails by hand to finding a solution that allows him to save time without compromising on quality. For Matt, email isn’t just another channel — it’s where he started in digital marketing, and it remains one of his favorite ways to connect with customers.
What follows are excerpts from our conversation with Matt Byrd at TravelJoy, edited for readability and engagement.
From hand-coding to WYSIWYG frustration
“I started out as an email developer, hand-coding templates for clients,” Matt explained. “I had a really high standard for email design and development, which is why I felt so restricted when I started using our email platform’s basic editor at TravelJoy.”
With years of experience, including leading email marketing for Uber and for a wedding tech company, Matt knew the impact well-crafted emails could have on customer engagement. But when he joined TravelJoy, the small startup environment meant that Matt was handling everything from web design to how-to videos on a daily basis. He simply didn’t have the time to code emails by hand and the WYSIWYG editor provided by their email service was too limiting.
“I was frustrated,” Matt said. “I knew that email needed to be a big channel for us, but the tools available just weren’t cutting it.”
The aha moment: when no-code means excellent code
Like many email developers, Matt had doubts about WYSIWYG, no-code editors. Having been burned by subpar no-code editors in the past, Matt was hesitant to trust another tool. He recalled thinking, “It’s going to export trash code that I’ll have to clean up.” But after searching for a more flexible solution, Matt stumbled across Beefree.
To his surprise, Beefree exceeded his expectations. “The code was good,” he said. “It tested across all platforms and gave me the flexibility I needed. I wanted my emails to look designed by hand but without the time commitment of coding each one from scratch. Beefree gave me that.”
Matt’s technical background meant he didn’t just need a tool that looked good on the surface. He needed something that could handle the granular details that make emails shine. “You can get as nuanced as you want with Beefree,” he said.
“For example, if you want to adjust the border-radius on the top-left section of a content area, you can do that. It allowed me to create emails that felt custom, not cookie-cutter.”
Becoming the team’s hero
For Matt, the value of Beefree wasn’t just in the technical capabilities — it was also about how it made him feel as a creator. “I want my emails to look awesome. I’m proud of the work I do, and Beefree helps me create emails that I’m excited to show off,” Matt shared.
Using Beefree not only saved him time but also boosted his confidence. After sending one of his first newly-designed emails, the Head of Product at TravelJoy sent a company-wide Slack message saying, “Matt, these emails look so engaging.” This recognition made him feel like a hero to his team, and more importantly, it reinforced his pride in his work.
“I want my emails to look awesome. I’m proud of the work I do, and Beefree helps me create emails that I’m excited to show off”.
Matt’s advice for time-strapped marketers
When asked what advice he’d give to other marketers in small teams, Matt’s answer was simple: “If you want to save time and still look professional, you need the right tool that will give you an amazing-looking email in a fraction of the time it would take to code it yourself.”
For a startup marketer wearing multiple hats, tools that help streamline the creative process without sacrificing quality are essential. And for Matt Byrd, finding the right tool has been a game-changer — allowing him to create emails that not only engage TravelJoy’s audience, but also make him proud of the work he’s doing.
Final thoughts
Matt’s experience with Beefree highlights how the right tool can transform how marketers approach their work. What began as a search for a more efficient email editor turned into a game-changer, allowing him to create emails that look handcrafted without the time-intensive coding.
“I’m more excited to send these emails,” Matt concluded. “They’re helping me tell TravelJoy’s story in a way that connects more with our audience, and that’s something I’m proud of.”
For marketers like Matt, who juggle multiple responsibilities, finding a tool that offers both efficiency and creativity can make all the difference. If you’re looking for a way to create beautiful, professional emails in a fraction of the time, try Beefree for yourself. Discover how Beefree can help you save time and elevate your email marketing.
Read more success stories or start your free trial here.
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