Sponsored Email Promotions: Design & Submission Guidelines

To ensure a consistent, professional, and valuable experience for MASA members, all Sponsored Email Promotions must follow the guidelines below.

MASA reserves the right to request revisions to content or creative assets prior to distribution.


Submission Timeline

All final content, graphics, and supporting materials must be submitted at least 10 business days prior to the scheduled distribution date.

MASA will review all submissions for content quality, formatting, and alignment with member interests before approval.

Contact dave.christians@mnasa.org with questions and to schedule your e-mail.


Design Specifications

Sponsored Email Promotions should be designed for email distribution and mobile viewing.

Recommended Standards

  • Maximum content width: 660 pixels
  • Mobile-responsive design strongly encouraged
  • RGB color mode for all graphics
  • High-resolution images recommended for optimal display
  • Clear calls-to-action and destination URLs
  • Accessible formatting whenever possible

Partners may submit either HTML email content or creative assets for MASA to assemble.


Content Format Options

Option 1: HTML Email

Partners may provide a complete HTML email design.

Recommended specifications:

  • Maximum width of 660 pixels
  • Inline CSS styling
  • Mobile-friendly formatting
  • Multiple hyperlinks permitted
  • Images hosted externally or supplied to MASA

Best for:

  • Multi-section content
  • Resource libraries
  • Webinar promotions
  • Research reports

Option 2: Graphic-Based Email

Partners may submit a graphic-based email design.

Recommended specifications:

  • Width: 660 pixels
  • JPG or PNG format
  • RGB color mode
  • Maximum file size: 1 MB per image
  • One primary call-to-action recommended

Best for:

  • Event promotions
  • Product launches
  • Awareness campaigns

Option 3: Sponsored Thought Leadership Article

Partners may submit educational content that MASA formats for email distribution.

Recommended components:

  • Company logo
  • Headline
  • Featured image
  • 300–600 words of content
  • Call-to-action button or link
  • Landing page URL

Best for:

  • Case studies
  • Research findings
  • Industry insights
  • Best practices
  • Resource guides

Content Standards

Sponsored Email Promotions should provide meaningful value to Minnesota school leaders.

Preferred content includes:

  • Research and reports
  • Case studies
  • Best practices
  • Industry trends and insights
  • Professional learning opportunities
  • Resource guides and toolkits
  • Webinar invitations
  • Legislative or policy analysis

Content that is primarily promotional, excessively sales-focused, or unrelated to the interests of school leaders may be declined or require revision.


Accessibility Recommendations

MASA encourages partners to follow accessibility best practices whenever possible.

Recommended practices include:

  • Sufficient color contrast
  • Descriptive alternative text for images
  • Clear heading structure
  • Readable font sizes
  • Descriptive link text
  • Avoiding image-only communications when possible

MASA Editorial Review

All Sponsored Email Promotions are subject to editorial review.

MASA reserves the right to:

  • Request revisions
  • Edit content for clarity and formatting
  • Adjust layouts for consistency
  • Decline content that does not align with member interests or professional standards

Sponsorship Identification

All Sponsored Email Promotions will be clearly identified as sponsored content.

Each email will include language indicating that the communication is a sponsored message and does not constitute endorsement by the Minnesota Association of School Administrators.


Performance Reporting

Participating partners may receive summary performance metrics, including:

  • Total recipients
  • Email open rate
  • Click-through rate

Member email addresses, individual engagement data, and mailing lists will NOT be shared.