How to insert an animated GIF in an email

How to insert an animated GIF in an email.

Marketing emails can sometimes be bland. So how can you improve your email beyond well-written content? Try adding a GIF.

You can add GIFs easily without even having programming experience. This post will teach you how to add GIFs to your emails and integrate it correctly into your marketing campaign.

Static Image vs. GIF

The Graphic Interchange Format (GIF) is a digital image format that has been around since 1987, when it was developed by Compuserve. It’s like a flipbook where one image is encoded in multiple frames.

Unlike static images or pictures, GIFs have a short animation that lasts a few seconds and often loops. Some of the most effective GIFs contain only certain parts of the movement, and there is no need to animate the entire image.

GIF by Envy by Giphy

A 2020 State of Email by Litmus study found that around 51% of marketers use GIFs in some of their emails.

The Dell XPS 12 Convertible Ultrabook is one of the notable successes of using GIFs in emails. A 2012 email sent by David Sirk, Dell’s email strategist, included a GIF showing the Ultrabook transition from laptop to tablet.

Dell’s conversion rate increased 103%, doubling Ultrabook revenue.

GIF by MarketingSherpa

A study by the Nielsen Norman Group found that people respond more positively to emails that don’t use animated GIFs. While it might be better to use GIFs sparingly and for specific purposes only, a well-designed and perfectly placed GIF can turn your email readers into paying customers.

4 Reasons Why GIFs in Emails Work Like Magic

Most email clients support the GIF file format, with the exception of the desktop Outlook 2007-2016. You can also view them in desktop and mobile email clients in the app or directly from the client’s website.

GIFs grab the attention of readers

Adding GIFs to email can help grab a customer’s attention. By doing so, you can get them to act in accordance with your call to action (CTA).

It can simplify complex ideas.

GIFs can illustrate complex processes or instructions without unnecessary verbosity in the email.

GIF from ReallyGoodEmails

GIFs can help showcase products and services.

GIFs can help present innovative products that people may not be familiar with and showcase their unique features in seconds.

This may interest your readers in your new content.

GIFs are great for previewing upcoming events like an upcoming show or product. Since you are not limited to one static image, it can interest your audience by using multiple teasers in one animation.

7 Things to Remember When Adding a GIF to an Email

1. Use an email client that supports GIF. When sending an email, make sure the recipients are using GIF-enabled email services. Fortunately, almost all email clients can send and receive GIF emails, with the exception of Outlook 2007-2016.

2. Don’t use unprofessional GIFs. Always ask yourself if a GIF is right for your audience before using it. Make sure the GIF looks professional.

3. Match your GIFs with a call to action. One of the best ways to use GIFs, beyond showcasing your product or service, is to direct the reader to a call to action. Your GIF should contain a message about what they should do after reading the email, whether it’s following a link or viewing your offer.

Micdotcom Tumblr Photo

4. Don’t add GIFs without purpose or context. The GIF should serve the overall purpose of your content, be it informative or entertaining. Otherwise, it can alienate customers rather than lure them in. Again, it’s best to do some thorough research on your target audience.

5. Create your own GIFs instead of what is available on the Internet. It can be tempting to use popular GIFs as they grab attention. However, it’s best to create your own GIF that reflects your marketing message.

6. Don’t add slow loading GIFs. Make sure the GIF loads quickly and animates smoothly before uploading. If any frames freeze, check the GIF file size and reduce it if possible. The GIF file size should not exceed 2.5 MB so that it loads quickly on the reader’s screen and animates without problems.

7. Animate only one part of the GIF. For some readers, GIFs are distracting. If you don’t want to bother customers while they digest the essence of the letter, try animating only part of the GIF. This way, they can still focus on the email message while appreciating the GIF animation.

How to Insert GIFs in Emails

GIF by Quickpage by Giphy

It’s pretty easy to embed GIFs into email. First, you’ll need a short animated video to create or upload via sites like Giphy.

When adding GIF, please note the following to add it to email correctly.

Adding GIFs to Gmail

Select the part of the email message for which GIF works best.
Click Insert Photo (Not Attachment).

Select a GIF file on your computer or from your Google+ album and click Download.

You can also change the placement of the GIF image in the body of the email using the Align button.

Add GIFs to Outlook

Click in the email section where you want to place the GIF.
Select Insert Inline Images.

Select GIF on your computer.
Click the Insert button at the bottom of the email page.

Adding GIFs to Yahoo Mail

Create an email by clicking the Compose button.
Click the part where you want to embed the GIF.
Select the GIF icon from the bottom toolbar. Select a GIF from the collection of popular GIFs and insert it into your email.

Hover over the image to resize the GIF.
Click the three dots icon in the upper right corner of the GIF and select Small. or large.

Embed GIFs in Email

You can also embed GIFs in an email by following these steps. You will need a link or GIF source for this method.

In the body of the email, paste this code:

Change the value enclosed in quotes. For img src, replace it with the link to the gif you want to add.
You can change the width and height values â€‹â€‹as you like.
You can also change the alt text of the GIF, and if you want the GIF to have a border, change its value to 1.

Best Softwares for Creating a GIF

GIF creation is relatively easy if you have animation software like Adobe Animation and Photoshop CS6. However, if you do not have a PC or device that can run these programs, you can try the following alternatives:

Wondershare Filmora
Gifted Motion
Photoscape
GIFPal
Picasion
MakeaGIF
GIMP

What do you think about inserting GIFs into emails? Comment on your thoughts below.