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I'm Having Trouble Creating Messages to Send

Sending localized messages is what Yodel does. If you are having problems creating a message or getting it scheduled to send, then we need to get that fixed so you can keep working!

First, you should check out our instructions on creating a message with Yodel. You'll access your drafts and sent messages via your sending messages page. You can also check out our content guidelines.

Having Trouble Saving a Message

There are three types of saves you can do while editing a message:

1. Quick Save

2. Save & Exit

3. Finish & Schedule

When you are creating or editing a draft message, you may encounter errors. Most often, while saving via options #1 or #2 above, the page should display an error message. The error itself will give you a clue as to what went wrong. If you do not see an error message, try checking the different tabs for content entry and make sure all fields and settings are entered correctly.

If you are unable to use the "Finish & Schedule" button, check the different tabs for content entry and ensure that all the fields and settings are completed. When using this option to save, it marks the message as ready for Yodel review and approval, so all fields need to be entered and need to contain valid input.

The RTE Text Box Isn't Working

Yodel uses a rich-text-editor (RTE) entry box for the main text of the message. It should appear with a simple text formatting toolbar at the top of the input box for any message types beyond the fully-custom option which has no text box.

In some cases, this text box control may not load properly. If this happens, try saving your draft and refreshing the page.

Problems Uploading a Message Image

All message types except text-only require an attached image. The fully-custom message type has two images.

One option for images is uploading your own image. You can drag-and-drop an image onto the page, or you can select the file through a system file dialog. If one of these is not working, try the other option.

Your file should be:

• JPG, GIF, or PNG file format

• RGB color mode

• Aspect ratio should match 9 inches wide by 6 inches in height

• Smaller than 1500px wide by 1000px in height

• Less than 2MB file size

Can't Create a Map Image

The other option for attaching an image for your message is to create one within the edit message page using the "Create Map" button.

This is a fairly intensive image creation control and could have issues when loading. If you are having trouble with this, try saving your draft and refreshing the page.

If you continue to have difficulty with this, you can either switch to uploading your own image that you create outside of Yodel, or you'll need to contact our support team.

Desired Target Date Cannot be Selected

Setting your desired target date is an important step when scheduling your message send.

A large portion of your audience is likely to receive your message via postal mail (postcards), so we must allow extra lead time to accommodate the process. This includes the Yodel approval process, your confirmation of final pricing, printing the postcards, and mailing them out.

The calendar control for selecting your target date will disable unavailable dates that don't allow enough lead time or are otherwise unavailable as a deliverable date. We exclude Sundays and all federal U.S. holidays and treat them as unavailable dates because the U.S. Postal Service does not deliver mail on those days.

It is also important to remember that your target date is not a guaranteed delivery date. Yodel will do everything we can to try and deliver your messages in both printed and digital forms on or near that date. There are aspects of the delivery process outside of Yodel's control, and with multiple pieces being sent out through different channels, not all messages will be delivered at the exact same date and time.

Sender List Doesn't Include the Name I Want

When selecting the sender for your message, you will be able to choose yourself as an individual sender, or if you belong to any sending groups, you'll have options to send as your group or a combination of your name followed by the group's name in parentheses.

If you do not see the sender listed that you want to use, check to make sure that you or your group is considered to be a valid sender. This includes making sure that the associated email address is valid and verified. You can check the status of your account on your profile page or the status of a sending group on your groups page.

Problem with Available Audiences

The message audiences list will show any sending locations that you have saved for yourself – including addresses and areas. You can select them by the name you gave them.

If you are a member of any sending groups, you may see a section labeled "From Another User." If this is present that means that another group member has added one or more of their sending locations to the message. The name given to addresses and areas that are added to a group message can be seen by other group members, but they will never be seen by recipients.

You will also see the option to include your own primary address as a free send, which you can consider to be like a quality check.

If you are not seeing an audience that you think should be present, confirm that the audience is shown in your sending locations list and is not archived. If this is a group message, it is possible that another group member has removed audiences on their end.

Something is Wrong with the Initial Estimate

After you select your audiences and the print style, Yodel will display an initial estimate. This should appear as soon as you make the selections in the message. If it is not appearing, try saving a draft of your message and refreshing the page.

Keep in mind that the initial estimate is not your final cost. This gives you an idea of approximately how much it will cost to send your message, but Yodel intentionally delays the final cost calculation until closer to your schedule target date so that if there are any changes to the number of recipients in our data set or other pricing changes, you'll have an accurate final cost for your approval when the time comes to send the message out.

If your initial estimate seems off, double check the number of estimated addresses in the included audiences. You can also check the recipient filter to change whether residential or business addresses are included. Perhaps there are more or less than you thought would be there. You can view our current pricing page to confirm what should be expected.

Still Having Trouble?

If you are still concerned or unable to create, edit, or send a message, reach out to our service team using the online contact form.