How to edit ConvertKit emails

If you’re using ConvertKit (and I hope you are…it’s great!), then you probably know that the default email templates are pretty plain. That’s fine for some people, but you might want to do things like add buttons to your ConvertKit emails, add colored headings to your ConvertKit emails, and more. And it’s possible, I promise! Here’s a guide on how to customize ConvertKit emails.

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Desk with a laptop on it. How to customize ConvertKit emails.

So here’s the deal. Some email service providers have drag-and-drop builders with lots of bells and whistles that you can add to your emails. ConvertKit doesn’t.

But it’s not because they’re trying to be cheap. It’s because adding a bunch of extra stuff to your emails can cause emails to not be delivered or marked as spam. And that’s obviously not what you want.

But, that doesn’t mean that you can’t customize your ConvertKit emails.

Here’s how.

Use ConvertKit’s built-in features to customize ConvertKit emails

So let’s start off with a simple one. ConvertKit actually does have a fair number of customization options nowadays.

This didn’t use to be the case. But now with what they’ve dubbed “the new editor” (creative name, right?), you have a fair number of built-in options, including:

  • Headings 1-3
  • Buttons
  • Dividers
  • Countdown timers
  • Galleries
  • Videos
  • Icons
  • Block quotes, and a few more.

All you have to do to see this list of ConvertKit customization features is to hit the little black plus icon that pops up directly to the left of your text when you’re typing an email in the email editor.

Like this:

Screenshot of ConvertKit email editor.

(If you’re looking for an easy tutorial on how to use features like this in ConvertKit, I wrote a beginner’s guide to ConvertKit right here.)

ConvertKit didn’t use to have nearly as many features, but the “new editor” does, so you can and should take full advantage.

Use a custom-coded ConvertKit email template

Another option to get a really custom look is to use a ConvertKit “email template.”

ConvertKit has a few default templates that you can choose from, but if none of them suit your fancy, you can use a completely custom-coded ConvertKit email template.

With custom HTML and CSS code, you can tell ConvertKit that you want your H1 headings to be Open Sans, size 24, bold, and hot pink and that you want your buttons to be neon yellow…etc…you get the point.

If you know how to use HTML and CSS, then you’re all set. But if not, you should check out my mini-course, Customizing ConvertKit, which gives you a full custom-coded template specifically made for ConvertKit and shows you how to customize it to match your brand.

Promotional image for Customizing ConvertKit.

It’s super easy (you can literally get the entire thing done in less than 20 minutes!).

So be sure to check that out!

Use an email header image to customize ConvertKit emails

Another way to customize ConvertKit emails is to use a branded email header image in your emails.

This is just a horizontal image that sits at the top of all your emails. Generally, it would say your name or your blog name, and maybe a little something else.

Use your brand fonts and colors to give a super branded experience.

I created mine using Canva, and it took about 1 minute:

My ConvertKit email header.
This is a simple thing you can do to really make your emails stand out.

Use your brand colors and fonts to customize ConvertKit emails

Last but not least, you should customize your ConvertKit emails by using your brand colors and fonts wherever possible.

Places you can use your brand colors include:

  • Your header image
  • Your links (both the color and the hover color)
  • Your buttons
  • Your headings
  • Your dividers
  • Your icons, and
  • Your countdown timers

And of course you should use your brand font(s) in your main email text and your headers.

Keeping everything branded is generally a good practice to follow, so you should definitely follow it here.

Hopefully this ConvertKit tutorial will help you customize your ConvertKit emails!

Using any of these tips? Let me know how it’s going in the comments!

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How to create custom email templates in ConvertKit

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