Communications Basics

Create your Signature

Creating your signature will save time when sending email correspondence. You can design your signature with both text & graphics, and easily select it when sending email correspondence.

1. Click Setup in the navigation panel
2. In the Communications section, click Signatures
3. Click the Add Button.
4. Provide a Name for the signature. You can create multiple signatures, so you will wish to provide a name that allows you to differentiate between signatures.
5. In the Signature HTML text box you can customize your signature by adding your organization name, an image, a link, etc. Common word processing icons make it easy to format your signature as you desire.
6. When completed, click Done.

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Configure Communication Categories

Communication Categories provide a way for you to organize and filter email communications. Reports such as the Communication Report can be filtered by category to allow you to get a better understanding of the communications that are being sent.

1. Click Setup in the navigation panel
2. In the Communications section, click Communications Categories. A list of the current categories in the database will be displayed.
3. Click the Add button to add a new category. The Add/Edit Communications Category dialog box will be displayed.
4. Enter a Name for the category. This name will be displayed when you are selecting communication categories within the software so it should be descriptive and reflect the purpose of this category.
5. N/A at this time
6. Click Done to save the new category.

Create and Manage Email Templates

Email templates provide an easy way to respond to standard email tasks. For example, you may wish to send a thank you email to all those who have attended an event. You can create (or customize a default) template that can be used consistently for all of your events. This will allow you to efficiently send emails, and increase productivity. Email templates may also include database fields. For example, when sending an email for an event, the Event Name database field may be included in the email to customize the email to a specific event.

View Default Email Templates

There are a variety of default email templates populated in the database that you may us to meet your business needs. You may view the existing templates, and edit them as needed.

NOTE: When editing a default email template, you may not change the name of the template. If you wish a template with a different name:

1. Click Setup in the navigation panel
2. In the Communications section, click Email Templates. A list of the default email templates will be displayed.
3. Click the name of the email template you wish to view or modify. The Add/Edit Email Template dialog box will open. The following fields are displayed and may be edited:

   Name - The name of the template is displayed for selection when you are sending emails. Additionally, the name of an email may be used for filtering and reporting.

   Description - This field allows you to provide more details about this template.

   Category-The category field allows you to associate this template to specific email categories, and may also be used for filtering.

   Subject-The subject is the subject line of the email.

4. Template Text-The template text is the body of the email. When editing a default template, this section is editable. You may add, delete or modify the existing content. Standard word processing functions, such as bolding, italicizing, adding attachment, etc. may be used to format the content.
5. From Email Address - This field will display the from email address that will be used when you use this template. You are not able to edit this field on a default template.
6. Make available to all users- this checkbox allows you to determine which users will have access to this template. You are not able to edit this field on a default template.
7. Click the Close button.

Add a New Email Template

1. Click Setup in the navigation panel
2. In the Communications section, click Email Templates. A list of the default email templates will be displayed.
3. Click the Add button.
4. Configure the following:

   Name - Enter a name for the new template. This name will be displayed in the template drop-down when you are sending emails.

   Description - Enter a description of the template. This is useful if you have several templates that are similar.

   Category - Optional. Select a category from the drop-down list. Category is used for easily filtering and reporting.

   Subject - Enter the text you want to show in the subject line when you use this template.

   Template Text - Enter the email message you wish when using this template. You can customize the the message in many ways:

   • Customize font and paragraphs using the standard word-processing icons such as bolding, italicizing, underlining, etc.
   • Insert hyper-links and images.
   • Select the Insert Merge Fields to select field from the database to be included in your message. For example, you may select Contact name from the merge fields list to enter the name of the contact (based on the email address entered in the "To" line of your email). This is especially beneficial when you are sending emails to multiple recipients.
   • Select a Signature

   From Email Address - Select a from email address to be automatically assigned when this template is used. If this template will be used by multiple users, you may wish to select a generic address for your organization. The address may be changed by the user, if they wish, when they use the template.

   Make Available to Other Users - Select this check-box if all users will be given access to this template.

5. Click Done.

Configure Automated Messaging

Automatic messages may be configured to be sent in response to certain actions. For Example, an automated message may be sent to a new member when they have completed the Member Application Form, or, an automatic thank you message may be sent when someone registers for the event. Your database is pre-configured with automatic messages, which you may use "as-is" or customize to meet your needs.

1. Click Setup in the navigation panel
2. In the Communications section, click Automated Messaging. A list of the available options for automated messages is displayed. See table below for further details.

   

3. You may change the default message sent for each of the available options.
4. If changes are made, click the Save button to save your changes.

NOTE: Refer to Create and Manage Email Templates for details on working with email templates.

Email Settings

Configure your Unsubscribe Message

1. Select Setup in the Navigation Panel
2. Click Email Settings in the Communications section.

   

3. A default unsubscribe message is included in your database. You can customize this as needed.
4. Click Done.

Logging Messages sent via Outlook

In the Email Settings you will find and Archive Email Address. In order for your database to track emails that you have sent from Outlook, you will want to include this email address in the BCC line of the email. A copy of the email will then be sent to the archive address for evaluation. If the system can associate the contact to whom you sent the email to a contact in the database, your outlook email will be displayed on the communications tabs.

1. Select Setup in the Navigation Panel
2. Click Email Settings in the Communications section.

Viewing Un-Matched Outlook Emails

As described above, if the archive email address is included in the BCC line of emails sent via Outlook, a copy of the email will be sent to the archive address. If the database is able to associate the email to a contact in your system it will do so. Emails that could not be matched may be viewed under the Communications module:

1. Click Communications in the Navigation Panel.
2. On the Browse tab - click the Customize Results button.

   

3. Click the Has An Unmatched Email address checkbox.
4. Click Done.

The list of emails will now filtered to those with an unmatched emails.

Lists/Committees

Sending communication via email and letters may be simplified by creating lists/committees. Additionally, you can allow your members to automatically join the lists/committees that they wish to participate in.

NOTE: You can create new lists, or add contacts to lists from reports.

Add a New Email List

1. Click Lists/Committees in the Navigation Panel. A listing of all lists/committees configured in your database will display. On installation of the software, common lists have been populated, such as Current Staff, Ambassadors, etc. You may use these lists as configured, or customize them to meet your needs.
2. Click the Add Email List button.

   

3. Configure the following on the Add/Edit Email List screen:

   • Name - Enter a name for the new list. Use a name that well describes this list, as it will be displayed in the To line of your emails.
   • Category - Select the category to which you want to associate this list. Categorizing will make it easier to filter and report on this list.
   • Established On - If you wish to track when this group list was started, enter an established on date.
   • Description - Provide a description of the list (Optional).
   • Display Options:
     • Is Active - Select this check-box to activate this list. If the list is not activated, it will not be displayed.
     • Public Can Join - Select this check-box to allow the public to join this list. If selected, the list may be displayed on your web-site.
     • Users Can Join - Select this option to allow your member users to join this list. If selected, the list may be displayed on your web-site.
     • Synchronize Contacts with authorized third party newsletter solution - If you are using a third party solution, such as Constant Contact, select this option to synchronize this group to your solution.

4. Click Done.

Add a New Committee

1. Click Lists/Committees in the Navigation Panel. A listing of all lists/committees configured in your database will display. On installation of the software, common lists have been populated, such as Current Staff, Ambassadors, etc. You may use these lists as configured, or customize them to meet your needs.
2. Click the drop-down arrow on the Add Email List button, and select Add Committee.

   

3. Configure the following on the Add/Edit Committee screen:

   • Name - Enter a name for the new list. Use a name that well describes this list, as it will be displayed in the To line of your emails.
   • Category - Select the category to which you want to associate this list. Categorizing will make it easier to filter and report on this list.
   • Established On - If you wish to track when this group list was started, enter an established on date.
   • Description - Provide a description of the list (Optional).
   • Sponsor - Enter the name of the committee sponsor (Optional).
   • Meeting Time Description - Enter information about the meeting times for this committee.

   Default Term (Months) - Enter the default term length that members may sit on this committee (Optional).

   • Display Options:
     • Is Active - Select this check-box to activate this list. If the list is not activated, it will not be displayed.
     • Public Allowed to View List - If this option is selected, you may include this list as a page on your web-site.
     • Public Can Join - Select this check-box to allow the public to join this list. If selected, the list may be displayed on your web-site.
     • Users Can Join - Select this option to allow your member users to join this list. If selected, the list may be displayed on your web-site.
     • Users Can Contact - Select this option if you wish to allow all users to contact members of this committee.
     • Only Contacts on List can view other Contacts - Select this option if you wish to limit who can view contacts on the list to only other contacts on the list.
     • Synchronize Contacts with authorized third party newsletter solution - If you are using a third party solution, such as Constant Contact, select this option to synchronize this group to your solution.
   • Disallow Opt Out - Select this option if you do not wish members on the list to be able to opt out from the list.

4. Click Done.

Managing Lists/Committees

1. Click Lists/Committees in the Navigation Panel. A listing of all lists/committees configured in your database will display.
2. Click the hyper-link for the list/committee you wish to work with. The List/Committee screen provides four tabs to manage the list/committee: General, Contacts, Communications, Events, and Files.

Update List/Committee General Settings

The General tab allows you to update the settings you configured when the list/committee was first created.

You can view and/or change the following settings on the General tab:

1. • Name - Enter a name for the new list. Use a name that well describes this list, as it will be displayed in the To line of your emails.
   • Category - Select the category to which you want to associate this list. Categorizing will make it easier to filter and report on this list.
   • Established On - If you wish to track when this group list was started, enter an established on date.
   • Description - Provide a description of the list (Optional).
   • Sponsor - Enter the name of the committee sponsor (Optional).
   • Meeting Time Description - Enter information about the meeting times for this committee.

   Default Term (Months) - Enter the default term length that members may sit on this committee (Optional).

   • Display Options:
     • Is Active - Select this check-box to activate this list. If the list is not activated, it will not be displayed.
     • Public Can Join - Select this check-box to allow the public to join this list. If selected, the list may be displayed on your web-site.
     • Users Can Join - Select this option to allow your member users to join this list. If selected, the list may be displayed on your web-site.
     • Users Can Contact - Select this option if you wish to allow all users to contact members of this committee.
     • Only Contacts on List can view other Contacts - Select this option if you wish to limit who can view contacts on the list to only other contacts on the list.
     • Synchronize Contacts with authorized third party newsletter solution - If you are using a third party solution, such as Constant Contact, select this option to synchronize this group to your solution.
   • Disallow Opt Out - Select this option if you do not wish members on the list to be able to opt out from the list.

Click the Save button if you have made changes.

View and/or Edit Contacts on a List/Committee

You may view and/or add contacts to a List/Committee on the Contacts tab.

NOTE: You can also add individual members to list/committees from their contact page.

1. Click Lists/Committee in the Navigation Panel. A list of the lists/committees currently configured in your system will be displayed.
2. Click the hyper-link for the list you want to view.
3. Click the Contacts tab. A list of all of the contacts in the list/committee will be displayed.
4. Click the pencil icon in the actions column to edit details of a contact.

   

5. Update the desired fields:

   • You may drop a contact from this list by entering a Drop Date.
   • You may deactivate this contact from the list by deselecting the Active button. This will remove the contact from the list.
   • You may keep the contact in the list, but prevent emails from being sent to the contact by clicking the Do Not Contact check-box.

6. Click Done.

View Historical Contacts for a List/Committee

1. Click the Customize Results button.

   

2. Click the Include Historical Contacts check-box.
3. Click Done. The contacts list will refresh and display historical information.

Add Individual Contact(s) to a List/Committee

1. Click Lists/Committee in the Navigation Panel. A list of the lists/committees currently configured in your system will be displayed.
2. Click the hyper-link for the list you want to view.
3. Click the Contacts tab. A list of all of the contacts in the list/committee will be displayed.
4. Click the Add Contact button.

   

5. Configure the following fields:

   • Name - Enter the name of the contact. If the contact exists in your database, as you type ahead contacts that match will be displayed.
   • Role - This is an optional field where you can assign a role to this contact.
   • Email Address - Select the contacts email address. If an address has not been configured you will need to go to the individual contact page to enter it.
   • Join Date - The join date will default to the current date. You may change this if necessary.

6. Active - Select this check-box.

   Do Not Contact - if the members wishes to be on the list/committee but does not want to be contacted, click this check-box.

7. Click Done.

NOTE: Contacts may be added to or removed from list/committees on their individual contact page.

Add Contact(s) to List/Committee using a File

If you have an existing spreadsheet of individuals that you wish to add to your lists/committees, this can be easily imported.

1. Click Lists/Committee in the Navigation Panel. A list of the lists/committees currently configured in your system will be displayed.
2. Click the hyper-link for the list you want to view.
3. Click the Contacts tab. A list of all of the contacts in the list/committee will be displayed.
4. Click the arrow on the Add Contact button.
5. Click Import Contacts (CSV).

   

6. Click choose file and navigate to the desired file.
7. Click the file.
8. Click Open.

   NOTE: File format is displayed below. The file must include headers and email is required.

   

   .

   If an error occurs in importing the file, the error will be displayed in the Import Contacts dialog box. Fix errors and re-import the file.

   

9. If no errors occur, click Done. The contacts will be added to the list.

Create Mailing Labels

From the Lists/Committees Module you can create mailing labels from the Contacts tab.

1. In the Lists/Committees module, click the hyper-link for the list/committee for which you want to create mailing labels.
2. Click the Contacts tab.
3. Click the down arrow on the Add Contacts button.

   

4. Click Mailing Labels.

   

5. Select the Label Format from the list. Standard Avery label formats are available.
6. Select the Mailing Sort Order.
7. Select the font you want to use from the Font Family list. Standard fonts are available.
8. Select the font size you wish to use from the Font Size list.
9. Select the Endorsement you wish to use. This allows you to define what you wish the postal service to do in the event mail is undeliverable, etc.
10. Include Business Name on mailing labels addressed to Individuals - Select this check-box if you want to include the business name on the labels, when addressed to an individual.
11. Include Primary Rep Name on mailing labels addressed to Businesses - Select this check-box if you want to include the Primary Rep name on the labels, when addressed to a business.
12. Position the Primary Rep Name above the Business Name on mailing labels with both values - Select this to place the Primary Rep name above the business name.
13. Include or current resident below addressee name on mailing labels - Select this option if you wish the labels to include "Or Current Resident".
14. File Format - Select the file format you wish to use.
15. Click Done to print your mailing label template.

Contacts List/Committee Report

The Contact List/Committee Report may be used to generate a report of all of your lists/committees and the individuals associated to those lists/committees. The report may be filtered by an individual contact if you wish to see all group membership for an individual and/or by a specified date range.

1. Click Reports in the Navigation Panel
2. Select Contact List/Committee Report.
3. Select your search filtering criteria.
4. Click Run Report.

You can perform the following actions with the report by clicking the down arrow on the Run Report button:

• Export as PDF
• Export as Excel.
• Export Summary as PDF
• Export Summary as Excel
• Email Report
• Add to List - This option will allow you to add the members to an existing list, or create a new list (by clicking the + button on the Add Contacts to List screen). This can help you in sending emails to this group as necessary.

• Save as New Report - If you want to use this report with the same filtering options in the future, you can save the report.

NOTE: To make this report available to all users, do not select the Hide This Report From Other Users check-box. If selected, the report will only be available to you.

• Add as a Favorite Report - you may save the report as a favorite, then easily identify it when filtering reports in the Reports module.

Communications Module

Review All Communications

You may review and manage all communications in the Communications module. (Select Communications in the Navigation Panel). On the Communications module Browse tab, you will be able to review ALL communications. This list includes emails, notes and logged phone calls. You may easily search the list, or filter/customize the result using the options on the top of the screen.

NOTE: You can review communications to individual contacts on the contact's communication tab.

View Email Delivery Statistics

The Communication Delivery Stats will help you understand the effectiveness of your communications. This will allow you to gauge the success by looking at open rates, and allows you to check to see whether an individual recipient received/opened the message. This allows you to see who did not receive the communication based on a delivery failure so that you can determine possible list/contact cleanup then redistribute.

You can view whether recipients have opened an email by clicking the Communication Delivery Stats icon.

The Communications Delivery Stats screen will display the number of recipients of an email, as well as the number of individuals who opened the email. You will be able to see which recipient opened the email in the Open Events section. Click on the Failed/Invalid Emails Report link to view a report of failed emails.

Send Newsletters

On the Communications module Newsletters tab, you can be easily created and send newsletters. Default Newsletter templates have been setup in your system that may be used as designed or you may customize them to meet your needs. Refer to Create and Manage Email Templates to view the default templates.

You can send the newsletter to individual contacts and/or a list/committee by entering the contact name in the To box.

The content of the Newsletter can be edited, by clicking into the different sections of the letter and using the style editor functions to format text, add links, images and so on.

NOTE: Only the default templates we have provided in the software may be edited. If you have created your own newsletter templates, you will not be able to edit these in the Communications Newsletter module.

Click the Send Preview button to send the newsletter to yourself or others for review prior to sending the newsletter out.

View Email Drafts

When you have created and email and clicked Save Draft, you can view the drafts on the Email Drafts tab of the Communications module.

You can edit or delete the Email Draft on the Email Drafts tab. Additionally, but clicking the subject of an email, the Send Email screen will be displayed, and you can send the email.

NOTE: All emails that you have started but not sent (cancelled), will be saved as draft.

Sending Your Draft Emails

If you wish to send a draft email, you can select it from the Drafts list on any Send Email screen.

NOTE: Once a draft email is sent, it is no longer listed on the Email Drafts page, nor will it be visible in the drafts drop-down list when sending emails.

View/Edit/Delete Scheduled Emails

On the Communications module Scheduled Emails tab, you can be view, edit and delete scheduled emails.

Click the Edit Email icon to view and edit the scheduled email. Click the Delete icon to view and edit the scheduled email.

Communication Reporting

Communication Report

The Communication Report allows you to generate a list of all communications (regardless of type). The report may be filtered to a specific From Contact, specific type of communication, communication category, assigned to, date range, category, or your own custom filters.

1. Click Reports in the Navigation Panel
2. Select Communication Report.

   

3. Select your search filtering criteria.
4. Optional - Enter a Search/Filter query. For example, if you want to filter the report results to just a specific business category you would select Business Category as filtering criteria.
5. Select Display Options. They system is setup with default fields to display in your report. You may add or remove fields by clicking on the Fields to Display drop-down arrow.
6. Select Summarize by criteria. This optional field allows you to select how you wish report results grouped. For example, you may choose to group results by type of communication.
7. Click Run Report.

You can perform the following actions with the report by clicking the down arrow on the Run Report button:

• Export as PDF
• Export as Excel.
• Export Summary as PDF
• Export Summary as Excel
• Email Report
• Add to List - This option will allow you to add the members to an existing list, or create a new list (by clicking the + button on the Add Contacts to list screen). This can help you in sending emails to this group as necessary.

• Save as New Report - If you want to use this report with the same filtering options in the future, you can save the report.

NOTE: To make this report available to all users, do not select the Hide This Report From Other Users check-box. If selected, the report will only be available to you.

• Add as a Favorite Report - you may save the report as a favorite, then easily identify it when filtering reports in the Reports module.

Failed/Invalid Email Report

The Failed/Invalid Email Report generates a list of all emails that have failed in a specific date range. This report may be useful in identifying emails that have not successfully reached the recipient (and the reason), as well as provide information for cleaning up your emails within the database.

1. Click Reports in the Navigation Panel
2. Select Failed/Invalid Email Report.

   

3. Select your search filtering criteria.
4. Optional - Enter a Search/Filter query. For example, if you wish to view failed emails that contained the word invoice in the subject line, you would select Communication Subject Contains Invoice.

   

5. Select Display Options. They system is setup with default fields to display in your report. You may add or remove fields by clicking on the Fields to Display drop-down arrow.
6. Select Summarize by criteria. This optional field allows you to select how you wish report results grouped. For example, you may choose to group results by account name.
7. Click Run Report.

From the report, you can click on the invalid email address to navigate to the location in the software where the email address is used. This allow you to easily update the email address.

You can perform the following actions with the report by clicking the down arrow on the Run Report button:

• Export as PDF
• Export as Excel.
• Export Summary as PDF
• Export Summary as Excel
• Email Report
• Add to List - This option will allow you to add the members to an existing list, or create a new list (by clicking the + button on the Add Contacts to list screen). This can help you in sending emails to this group as necessary.

• Save as New Report - If you want to use this report with the same filtering options in the future, you can save the report.

NOTE: To make this report available to all users, do not select the Hide This Report From Other Users check-box. If selected, the report will only be available to you.

• Add as a Favorite Report - you may save the report as a favorite, then easily identify it when filtering reports in the Reports module. NOTE: This option will not be available if the report has already been saved as a favorite.

Communications FAQs

How do I add a signature to an email?

On any Send Email page select your signature from the Signature drop down list.

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How can I create an email list from a Report

1. After generating your report, click the drop-down arrow on the Run Report button.

   

2. Click Add to List

   

3. If the group to which you want to add the list exists, select it from the Group drop-down list, or click the + icon to add a new group.

   

4. Enter a Name for the new group.
5. Choose a Category for the new group.
6. Complete the optional fields as necessary. Refer to Lists/Committees for details on these settings.
7. Click Done.

NOTE: If the contacts in the report already exist in the group, they will not be duplicated.

Show Me!

How can I log Outlook Emails in GrowthZone