So you’re tired of sending out the same forgettable email blasts and watching your engagement numbers flatline? You’re not alone. If you’re using Sendpotion and want to actually get people to open, read, and act on your emails, custom templates are the way to go. This guide is for marketers, founders, and anyone who wants their email to do more than just take up space in an inbox.
Let’s get practical. I’ll walk you through building custom email templates in Sendpotion—step by step—and share what actually works (and what’s a waste of time). No fluff, just real advice you can use.
Why bother with custom email templates?
Before we dive into the how-to, here’s the honest truth: default templates rarely move the needle. They’re generic, everyone’s seen them, and they usually get ignored. Custom templates:
- Make your brand look less like a robot
- Let you match your message to your audience (instead of yelling into the void)
- Cut down time spent rewriting the same content every week
- Give you control over layout, images, and calls to action
But—don’t fall for the myth that a fancy template alone will triple your clicks. The template is just a tool. You still need good content and a clear message. But with the right template, you make it easier for people to care.
Step 1: Define your goal and audience (skip this and you’ll regret it)
Don’t start designing anything until you know: - Who you’re emailing (customers, leads, partners, etc.) - What you want them to do (click, reply, sign up, buy) - What tone fits (friendly, professional, bold, etc.)
Pro tip: If you try to make a “one size fits all” template, it’ll end up not fitting anyone. Pick one use case for your first custom template—like a new product announcement or a weekly update.
Step 2: Map out your email structure before you touch Sendpotion
Grab a notepad or open a doc. Sketch out: - The sections you want (header, intro, body, call to action, footer) - Where you’ll put images or buttons - What info is critical, and what’s just noise
Ignore: Don’t get sucked into adding “cool” elements you saw in someone else’s email unless you know your audience wants them. Minimal, clear, and actionable beats cluttered and flashy every time.
Step 3: Create a new template in Sendpotion
Log into Sendpotion and head to the Templates section. Here’s the process:
- Click “Create Template” — usually a big button, you can’t miss it.
- Name your template something obvious. “Product Launch - June” beats “Template V3 Final FINAL.”
- Choose your starting point:
- Blank template (if you want control)
- Existing Sendpotion template (if you need inspiration)
Honest take: Starting with a blank template is best if you want something truly custom and on-brand. But if you’re short on time, tweaking an existing one is fine—just don’t leave it looking generic.
Step 4: Build out your template (the right way)
Let’s break down the main parts:
Header
- Add your logo. Keep it small—nobody needs a billboard in their inbox.
- Use a simple navigation if you must, but most emails don’t need it.
Intro
- Get to the point. People scan emails. Tell them why they should care right up top.
Body
- Use short paragraphs and bullet points.
- Mix text with visuals, but don’t overdo images. Big blocks of text are as bad as giant images that won’t load.
- Personalize where you can (Sendpotion lets you add variables like first name).
Call to Action (CTA)
- Make it obvious what you want them to do. One CTA per email works best.
- Use a real button, not just a link buried in text.
Footer
- Include your contact info and unsubscribe link (you have to, legally).
- Social icons are optional—don’t assume people want to follow you everywhere.
Pro tip: Mobile comes first. Preview your template on your phone before you send it to anyone else. If something looks weird, fix it.
Step 5: Add personalization and dynamic content
Sendpotion lets you drop in variables like {{first_name}} or {{company}}. This isn’t magic, but it helps your email feel like it’s written for a real person.
- Greet people by name if you have it.
- Reference something specific (like the product they signed up for).
- Avoid going overboard—if every other line is a variable, it screams “mail merge.”
What works: A little personalization goes a long way. Mentioning something relevant beats generic “Hi there!” intros every time.
Step 6: Test (and then test again)
Don’t trust the preview alone. Here’s what to do:
- Send test emails to yourself and a teammate.
- Check on different devices (especially mobile and Gmail, since that’s what most people use).
- Click every link and button. Broken CTAs are embarrassing and kill engagement.
Ignore: That urge to skip testing because “it looks fine.” Broken emails are a fast way to look unprofessional.
Step 7: Set up tracking and measure what matters
In Sendpotion, you can track: - Open rates (take these with a grain of salt—privacy settings can mess with them) - Click rates (much more reliable) - Replies (if your goal is to start conversations)
Don’t obsess over vanity metrics. Chasing open rates can be a waste if nobody’s actually clicking or replying. Focus on the numbers that show real engagement.
Step 8: Save, reuse, and improve your templates
Once you’ve got a template that works: - Save it for future campaigns. - Tweak it based on what you learn from each send. - Build up a small library of templates for different goals (not 50, just the 3-5 you actually use).
Pro tip: Every few months, review your templates. If one isn’t performing, update it—or kill it.
What to avoid when building custom templates
- Over-designing. Crazy layouts can break in some email clients and tank your deliverability.
- Big images with little text. Looks nice, lands in spam, or just won’t load.
- Too many CTAs. One clear action beats five options that confuse people.
- Ignoring accessibility. Use readable font sizes, clear contrast, and alt text for images. If your email is unreadable, it won’t get engagement.
Keep it simple, keep improving
Building custom email templates in Sendpotion isn’t about chasing every trend or stuffing your emails with features. Start simple, focus on clarity, and pay attention to what actually gets responses. If something works, keep it. If it doesn’t, try something else.
You don’t need to win the design awards—just get your message through and make it easy to act. Iterate as you go, and you’ll see engagement rates move in the right direction.