How do I make a .pdf into an email newsletter?

[pam_Besteder]

Once I've converted a document to .pdf . . . is there any way to make the contents of the .pdf something I can put into the BODY of an email?  I get emails all the time from retailers about sales, etc. that have hyperlinks, etc in them.  Is it possible to do that with a .pdf document?

[try67]

You want to copy the entire contents of a PDF into the message body of an email? What's the point? Why not simply attach it to the email?

[pam_Besteder]

Exactly the question I asked her.  Here's her full email to me:

Pam – I’ve decided to stop sending a customer newsletter via snail mail.  As I was preparing my taxes, I’m looking at expenses, and the return on these just isn’t there – the cost for you to prepare it is tiny, but printing an dpostage keep getting more expensive.  The only people who don’t get my email version are the old ladies without a computer or those who really don’t want to hear from me….so it’s just not a good use of my time.

I really wish you’d consider, in the future, making some sort of customer newsletter that is email friendly.  I use mail chimp – I know a lot of people use constant contact.  (it’s a paid service, where mail chimp is free).  I could upload things someone else creates as a jpeg, but I can’t use a pdf…

[try67 · Accepted solution]

Well, whatever the reason may be, it is possible, but I would highly recommend against it. For starters, it would require a custom-made script to convert the PDF file to plain-text. And it will look awful, as you'll lose all formatting, links, images, etc. It will just be a long string of text.

You could convert each page of the PDF to an image, and then send all of those images as attachments, but that isn't very user-friendly, either.

[pam_Besteder]

LOL. I agree.  Maybe it's something I do in Publisher BEFORE I convert it to .pdf.  Thanks for the help.

[Bill12]

I would really ask why she can not just send out a PDF Newsletter by e-mail. Why does she need a service? Seems like a waste. Mail Chimp looks like a newsletter design tool that has the distribution integrated. If the newsletter is already complete in PDF, what is the purpose of such a service? Just e-mail the newsletter.

[pam_Besteder]

Exactly.  No clue of what she's thinking.

[Sean5E80]

It is obvious and everyone with a marketing expereince knows- people don't open files but they will look at emails.  This is the big reason mail chimp and constant contact exits.  They have intergragted design tools (not as good as adobe).  But you can send as an email-NOT AN ATTACHEMNT.  

[jshobar]

Acrobat X does have several "save as" features, including:

Microsoft Word

Rich Text

Plain Text

HTML

One of those formats may be better suited for email.

[kevinm50186510]

Personally, I found that after I create my InDesign Newsletter and convert it into a PDF format, I use a screen capture tool such as Snagit to capture each page. Then I open Photoshop and save each screen captured page as an image suitable for web use (Optimized) numbering them as p1, p2, etc.. Since I use Office 365,  I build a table in my email page and place my pages in each cell. I typically stack them one at a time. Usually 900 pixels wide x whatever in height makes it possible to read for the viewer. (My newsletter is built like a typical printed piece.) then I email blast it to our customers/clients.

1. Build newsletter in InDesign (I also use Illustrator and Photoshop and images for graphics)

2. Export as a print version PDF file.

3. Open the PDF file and Screen Capture each page (I use Snagit)

4. Open Photoshop and stack all screen capture images in a PSD format

5. Save each page in optimized web format (Save a p1, p2, to make it easy for email placement)

6. Open your email Browser. If you have the tools to do so, make a table

7. stack your optimized newsletter pages in order

8. Send it to your clients/customers.

Note: Make sure the images are optimized or the viewer will be frustrated with it loading in their email viewer.

You can also attach your PDF file Newsletter as an option for the viewer as well.

I hope this may help someone.

[JoanaMoono]

You're the best!

[Abambo]

I won't say that. First, you can utterly simplify the solution: Export the Indesign directly to a Pixel file. Second, this will send out pixel files, and not text files. Third, you should utterly simplify your newsletter. Sending out several pages of graphics as a newsletter is cluttering the recipient's mailbox. 

Mailings are simplified web pages, you should get into that.

[huntere83738789]

This is sucks, I would think by now (2018) someone would have found a way around this, or they'd give us access upon special request.

[Test Screen Name]

Really happy they can't. Email is for short text stuff, and you can link to newsletters easily. That way people who pay for usage are MUCH happier.

[martia89721419]

Open a new email, choose Insert, Object & select your pdf

[Katherine5C4C]

I tried this way and it does work... it does not look as clean though. Is there any other way so that it looks as clean as a .pdf?

[defaultensw1pw0c1hz]

You can use a online email broadcasting service called eSimply.com

Its like Constant Contact and MailChimp, but has been designed for sending PDF files.  It will probably meet your needs.

[Emmanuel_Chibuikem]

Yes it is possible.