Are you using your image "alt" tag effectively?
I worry when I see terrific emails consisting of nothing but images. If an email recipient reads emails withouth the images "turned on," then they won't see any of those bright blocks of color, cool fonts, and expressive photos.
For example, the Grand Harbor Resort sends me updates and specials. They are full of fun, designed with lots of color and visuals. And the back-end format of the email is simply one picture stacked on top of another.
In case you are not familiar, the remedy for missing pictures is the "alt" tag. For those with systems that do not automatically show images,there is a tool that programmers can use that will enable text to pop into the space where an image should be. This is called an "alt" tag, and you can include your main point here.
If you do allow pictures, you can check to see if an email is making proper use of "alt" tags by letting your mouse hover over a picture in an email, then a collection of words will pop up on top of that picture. (Try this with the photo at right.)
Most "alt" tags will show up with simple phrases like, "Company Logo" or "On Sale Now."
What pops up behind the pictures in the email from the Grand Harbor Resort is this:
alt="These packages are based on 2 adults and 2 childrem. Additional charges per room may apply Fridays, Saturdays & (Grand Harbor) Holidays. Not valid with any other discount. Price does not include taxes & gratuities. Not available for groups. Subject to availability. Valid 3-15-2007 through 5-31-07. Grand Harbor Resort & Waterpark is Managed by Platinum Hospitality Group. Located at 350 Bell Street; Dubuque, IA 52001. Phone is 563.690.4000 or toll free at 866.690.4006."
So why not! It is their entire message, all included in the "alt" tag.
I am impressed.