Compose a Broadcast
The broadcast editor is where you write a campaign, choose who receives it, preview how it looks in an inbox, and Send now or Schedule for later.
Creator plan requiredYou need Creator or above. Free cannot open this screen.
Related guides: Broadcasts overview · Broadcast audience · Scheduling · Broadcast limits.
Open the editor
| Path | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Dashboard → Broadcasts → New broadcast | Start a blank campaign |
| Dashboard → Broadcasts → click a draft, scheduled, or failed row | Continue editing |
| Dashboard → Broadcasts → row menu ⋯ → Duplicate | Saves a new draft with subject (copy) and the same body/audience — opens the editor |
After your first save on a new campaign, Flo updates the browser address to /dashboard/broadcasts/[id]/edit so you can bookmark or refresh without losing the draft.
Sent and Sending campaigns cannot be edited here — use View report (while sending or after send) or Duplicate from the list.
Editor layout
The screen splits into two main areas:
Header bar
| Control | What it does |
|---|---|
| ← Broadcasts | Back to the campaigns list (unsaved changes may still autosave — see below) |
| New broadcast / Edit broadcast | Title for this session |
| Saved / Saving… / Unsaved changes | Autosave status |
| Save draft | Saves immediately; toast Draft saved. |
| Send (N) or Schedule (N) | Same action as the large button in the preview column — N = recipient count |
Before you can send
Flo disables Send / Schedule until all of these are true:
| Requirement | Where to fix |
|---|---|
| Subject line filled in | Subject field at top of left column |
| At least one recipient | Audience — Broadcast audience |
| Business address saved | Settings → Email sending → Email footer — Physical address |
| Schedule date and time (if scheduling) | When → Schedule in the preview column |
Also required when you actually send (Flo checks on the server):
| Requirement | Where to fix |
|---|---|
| Verified sending domain | Settings → Email sending — Email domain |
| From name and From email saved | Settings → Email sending → Sender identity |
| Email Sending Agreement (first time) | Modal on first Send now |
| Within monthly send cap (Creator: 5/month) | Broadcast limits |
| Account not suspended | Sender reputation |
Physical address
Yellow warnings may still say Settings → Profile. The live field is Settings → Email sending → Business address.
Audience
At the top of the left column, pick All subscribers or Members only, membership (if applicable), and review the count pill.
Full rules: Broadcast audience.
From, subject, and preview text
From (preview only)
The From row shows your display name, avatar, and saved From email when configured. You do not edit sending identity inside the composer — use Settings → Email sending.
If no From email is saved yet, you may see: Email shown to subscribers is added at send time.
Subject line
Required. Placeholder: Subject line…
Flo runs checks as you type (listed under the send button in the preview column). Send now only goes through when blocking issues are cleared:
| Blocks sending | Examples |
|---|---|
| Empty subject | Subject line is required |
| Fake Re: / Fwd: prefix | Fake Re:/Fwd: prefixes are not allowed… |
| Missing plain-text body | Plain-text version is required… |
| No unsubscribe in content | Email must include an unsubscribe link (footer adds this automatically — see below) |
Warnings (you can still send): long ALL CAPS, too many ! or emojis, spammy words, very long subject on mobile, image-heavy email, many links.
Preview text
Optional. Placeholder: Preview text — shown in inbox after the subject…
This is the gray snippet many inboxes show under the subject. If you leave it blank, Flo warns that the preview may show unsubscribe boilerplate instead of your copy.
Email body (blocks)
The main editor uses blocks you add, reorder, and edit — similar to stacking sections in an email.
Block types
| Block | Use for |
|---|---|
| Text | Paragraphs, headings, lists, links — rich formatting |
| Button | Call-to-action with label and URL |
| Image | Photo or graphic (upload) |
| Divider | Horizontal line between sections |
| Spacer | Vertical gap |
Add blocks with Add your first block, Add a block — text, button, image, divider…, or the + row between blocks.
Text block
- Click a text block to edit inline.
- Use the format toolbar above the canvas: bold, italic, bullet list, link, alignment, and size (S through 2XL).
- New campaigns start with sample copy including
{first_name}— Flo replaces that with each fan’s first name when sending (or a friendly fallback like “there”).
Button block
- Select the block to edit Button label, Link URL, corner style (Rounded / Pill / Sharp), width, and colors in the panel below the canvas.
- New buttons use Flo’s brand purple by default.
Image block
- Select the block, then upload JPG, PNG, WebP, or GIF (drag-and-drop or file picker).
- Flo may open a crop step before inserting the image.
- Max 2 MB per file (JPG, PNG, WebP, GIF).
- Images are stored for your account and referenced in the sent email.
Divider and spacer
- Select the block and adjust style or height in the inline settings panel.
Reorder, duplicate, delete
| Action | How |
|---|---|
| Reorder | Drag the ⋮⋮ handle on the left of a block |
| Duplicate | Select block → top-right actions → duplicate |
| Delete | Select block → delete |
Hints on the canvas:
- Sender name and subject show above this area in the inbox
- Unsubscribe and your address are added automatically at the bottom
You do not need to paste an unsubscribe link or postal address into the body — Flo appends a compliant footer on send (address from Business address, unsubscribe link, “Sent via Flo”).
Preview column (right)
Desktop and mobile
Toggle Desktop preview or Mobile preview at the top. The preview uses a light “email client” style on purpose so it matches real inboxes.
The preview shows From name, subject, preview text, and your block content. It does not replace a test send to your own inbox.
Sending to…
A summary card: Sending to 1,240 confirmed subscribers (or active members).
When — Send now vs Schedule
| Mode | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Send now | Delivers after you confirm (see below) |
| Schedule | Saves as scheduled; Flo sends around the date and time you pick |
Choosing Schedule for the first time pre-fills tomorrow at 09:00 in your local timezone. You can change date and time inputs below the toggle.
Scheduling details: Scheduling broadcasts.
Primary button
| Mode | Button label |
|---|---|
| Send now | Send to N |
| Schedule | Schedule for N |
Subtext: Broadcasts go out within ~60 seconds. This action can't be undone.
Warnings under the button
Flo stacks issues here when relevant:
| Banner | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Issues that block sending | Fix every error in the list — Send now shows a message and won’t queue until they’re gone |
| Physical address | Link to Open Settings → — add Business address |
| Email sending suspended | Contact support@myflo.link |
| Failed send (editing a failed campaign) | Partial or full failure — try again; already-delivered recipients are skipped |
Save and autosave
| Behavior | Detail |
|---|---|
| Autosave | Starts ~2.5 seconds after you stop typing (also caps wait at ~10 seconds) |
| Statuses | Unsaved changes → Saving… → Saved |
| Manual save | Save draft anytime (requires a subject) |
| What gets saved | Subject, preview text, blocks, HTML, audience, schedule choice |
| Scheduling save | Choosing Schedule + date/time and clicking send saves as scheduled (no immediate delivery) |
If you schedule without a business address, save fails with the physical-address error.
Send now — step by step
Meet requirements
Subject, recipients, address, and pre-send checks (preview column).
Save
Flo saves the draft automatically; Send also saves right before sending.
Confirm
Dialog: Send this broadcast? — You're about to send to N confirmed subscribers (or active members). Cancel or Send now.
First-time email policy
If prompted, read Email Sending Agreement, check the box, Agree and Continue — then sending continues.
Delivery
Flo queues the send. You may see a short success toast with the recipient count. Status becomes Sending, then Sent. You return to Dashboard → Broadcasts.
Report
Open View report from the list for opens, clicks, and delivery stats.
Large lists may stay on Sending for a while while Flo delivers in waves — normal for big audiences or warm-up / reputation limits.
Schedule — step by step
Choose Schedule
In the preview column, When → Schedule, set date and time.
Click Schedule for N
Same requirements as send (subject, recipients, address).
Confirmation
Toast: Broadcast scheduled. It will send automatically at the time you picked (within a few minutes).
Edit later
Reopen from Broadcasts while status is Scheduled — change copy, time, or audience, then save again.
At the scheduled time, Flo checks your monthly cap and other rules again before sending.
If sending fails
| Situation | What Flo does |
|---|---|
| Failed with partial delivery | Banner explains how many received mail; retry from editor — skips addresses already sent |
| Failed with zero delivery | Retry; duplicates are avoided for anyone already counted |
| Quota / suspension / empty audience | Toast with the specific error — fix underlying issue first |
Common errors: The Creator plan includes up to 5 broadcasts per month, Email sending is suspended for your account, You have no active subscribers, This membership has no active members.
Plan notes
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Monthly sends | Creator: 5 Sent per month — Broadcast limits |
| List size | Subscriber cap by plan — Subscribers overview |
| Email branding | Creator: partial styling; Pro / Studio: fuller branding on broadcast emails — Broadcasts overview |
| AI writing | Subject and body assist are on your plan but not in the composer UI yet — AI email assist · Broadcast limits for monthly quotas |
Troubleshooting
| Issue | What to try |
|---|---|
| Send / Schedule disabled | Add subject, pick an audience with at least one recipient, save Business address, complete schedule fields |
| Subject spam warnings | Shorten, remove Re:, reduce caps/!/emojis |
| “Must include unsubscribe” on send | Usually resolves via auto-footer — ensure body is not empty; contact support if it persists |
| From email greyed out in Settings | Verify domain — Email domain |
| Image won’t upload | Use JPG/PNG/WebP/GIF; check file size and connection |
| Lost work | Wait for Saved; use Save draft before leaving |
| Scheduled didn’t fire | Check monthly cap at send time; row may still be Scheduled — Broadcast limits |
| Wrong audience | Change Audience before sending — cannot change mid-Sending |
Quick reference
| Task | Where |
|---|---|
| Write content | Left column — blocks + subject |
| Preview mobile layout | Right column — phone icon |
| Pick subscribers vs members | Audience toggles |
| Send immediately | Send now → confirm |
| Send later | Schedule + date/time |
| Fix footer address | Settings → Email sending |
| Fix From / domain | Settings → Email sending |
| See results | Broadcasts → View report |
What's next?
- Scheduling broadcasts — edit, cancel, and timing edge cases
- Broadcast audience — who is included
- Broadcast limits — monthly cap, speed, suspension
- Email domain — From address and DNS
- Physical address — required footer
- Broadcast deliverability — inbox placement
- Broadcasts overview — list, statuses, reports