CM HubLearn Go to CM Hub
Learn › Create Email Sequences ›

Create Email Templates

Available on Starter and aboveAvailable with Starter, Creator Pro, and Creator Pro+.
Overview

Email Templates are the building blocks of your outreach campaigns in CM Hub. Whether you're introducing yourself to a brand for the first time or following up on a previous email, templates allow you to create reusable messages that can be organized into automated Email Sequences.

CM Hub offers two types of Email Templates:
•Plain Text Templates: Create simple, personalized emails using a text editor with basic formatting options.
•HTML Email Templates: Design visually engaging emails with images, layouts, buttons, and other customizable elements.

Both options allow you to create professional outreach messages. The best choice depends on your communication style and outreach strategy.

Updated November 10, 2026 · 8 min read

Start Creating an Email Template

Email Templates are created and managed within Email Sequences.

To get started:

  1. Navigate to the Sequences page.
  2. Open an existing sequence or click Add next to Start From Scratch to create a new sequence.
  3. Click the + icon within the sequence.
  4. The Add Automated Email window will appear.
  5. Click Create New Template.
  6. Choose the type of template you’d like to create:
    • Create Template for a Plain Text Email.
    • Email Builder for an HTML Email.

If you haven’t created an Email Sequence yet, visit our Build an Email Sequence tutorial for step-by-step instructions.

Create a Plain Text Email Template

Plain Text Templates are ideal for creators who prefer simple, conversational outreach that feels like a personal email.

Step 1: Name Your Template

After selecting Create Template, the Create New Template window will appear.

Enter a name for your template.

We recommend choosing a unique, descriptive name that makes it easy to identify when building sequences.

For example:

  • Initial Brand Introduction
  • First Follow-Up
  • Final Follow-Up
  • Lifestyle Brand Pitch

Using descriptive names becomes especially helpful as your library of Email Templates grows.

Step 2: Write Your Subject Line

Enter the subject line you want recipients to see when your email arrives.

Your subject line is often the first thing a Brand Contact notices, so make it relevant to the message you’re sending.

We recommend keeping subject lines concise, natural, and specific to the purpose of your email.

Avoid misleading claims, excessive punctuation, or language that feels overly promotional.

Step 3: Write Your Email

Use the email editor to create the body of your message.

You have access to basic formatting tools that allow you to customize your email’s content.

For brand outreach, we generally recommend keeping your message clear, concise, and easy to read.

A strong introductory email should help the recipient quickly understand who you are, why you’re reaching out, and why a collaboration might make sense.

Step 4: Personalize Your Email

Use the Personalization dropdown to insert shortcodes into your message.

Shortcodes are placeholders that CM Hub automatically replaces with the appropriate information when your email is sent.

Available shortcodes include:

Shortcode What It Does
{prospect_name} Inserts the Brand Contact’s first name.
{prospect_company_name} Inserts the name of the company the Brand Contact represents.
{email_signature} Inserts your personalized HTML email signature.

Your email signature includes:

  • Your profile picture.
  • Your first and last name.
  • Your creator title.
  • Social media icons linked to your connected social accounts.

For example, you might begin your email with:

“Hi {prospect_name},”

And later reference:

“I’d love to explore a collaboration with {prospect_company_name}.”

When the email is sent, CM Hub automatically replaces those placeholders with the recipient’s information.

Important: Shortcodes are replaced when the email is sent. You won’t be able to preview the final personalized values while creating the template.

Always double-check that you’ve inserted the correct shortcode and haven’t accidentally modified its formatting.

Create an HTML Email Template

HTML Email Templates allow you to create more visually customized messages using a drag-and-drop email builder.

These templates can be useful when you want to incorporate visual elements, branded layouts, images, or more structured content into your outreach.

Step 1: Open the Email Builder

From the Create New Template options, select Email Builder.

The template creation window will appear.

Step 2: Name Your Template

Enter a unique and descriptive name for your HTML template.

As with Plain Text Templates, choosing a recognizable name makes it easier to locate the template when building Email Sequences.

Step 3: Add Your Subject Line

Enter the subject line recipients will see when your email arrives.

Even when using a visually designed HTML email, your subject line remains an important part of encouraging recipients to open your message.

Step 4: Design Your Email

CM Hub provides prebuilt templates you can customize, or you can build your own design from scratch.

The HTML Email Builder uses a version of Unlayer Editor, which allows you to create email layouts using visual editing tools.

Depending on your design, you can incorporate elements such as:

  • Paragraphs and headings.
  • Images.
  • Buttons.
  • Multiple columns.
  • Backgrounds and colors.
  • Spacing and layout adjustments.

You can use these tools to create emails that align with your personal brand and communication style.

Learn How to Use the HTML Email Builder

For a walkthrough of the editor’s tools and functionality, watch the following tutorial:

Watch the HTML Email Builder Tutorial

Note: The video refers to a Text element. In CM Hub’s Email Builder, the equivalent element is labeled Paragraph.

Save Your Email Template

Once you’ve finished creating your Plain Text or HTML Email Template:

  1. Review your template name, subject line, and email content.
  2. Click Save.
  3. CM Hub will automatically add the newly created template to your current Email Sequence.

Your template is now ready to be used as part of your outreach campaign.

Adjust Your Email Delay

After adding the template to your sequence, remember to adjust its Delay setting.

Email delays determine how many business days CM Hub waits before sending an email in the sequence.

For the first email, we generally recommend turning the delay off.

For follow-up emails, choose a delay that gives the Brand Contact a reasonable opportunity to review and respond to your previous message.

You can learn more about organizing templates and scheduling follow-ups in Build an Email Sequence.

View or Edit an Email Template

You can review or make changes to an Email Template directly from your sequence.

To do so:

  1. Open the Email Sequence containing the template.
  2. Locate the email you’d like to review.
  3. Click the eye icon.
  4. View or edit the template as needed.

This is helpful when you want to refine your messaging, update information, or make improvements based on your outreach performance.

Duplicate an Email Template

If you want to make changes to an Email Template while keeping the original unchanged, CM Hub allows you to create a duplicate.

Duplicating templates is especially useful when you want to experiment with different subject lines, messaging, or outreach strategies without affecting an existing template.

To duplicate an Email Template:

  1. Navigate to the Sequences page and open an Email Sequence.
  2. Click the + icon to open the Add Automated Email window.
  3. Find the Email Template you want to duplicate in the existing templates list.
  4. Click the red plus icon next to the template.
  5. CM Hub will create a duplicate and add it to your template list with (copy) at the end of its title.
  6. Add the duplicated template to your Email Sequence.
  7. Open the duplicated template and make your desired changes.

Your original Email Template will remain unchanged and available for future use.

Tip: Rename your duplicated template to reflect its purpose. For example, if you’re testing a different subject line or messaging approach, give the copy a descriptive name so you can easily distinguish it from the original.

Remove an Email Template From a Sequence

If you no longer want a particular template included in an Email Sequence, you can remove it without permanently deleting the template from CM Hub.

To remove a template:

  1. Open the Email Sequence.
  2. Locate the template you want to remove.
  3. Click the trash icon associated with that email in the sequence.

The template will be removed from the sequence, but it will remain available in your Email Template library.

You can add it to the same sequence again or use it in another sequence later.

Permanently Delete an Email Template

If you want to completely remove an Email Template from CM Hub, you’ll need to delete it from your existing template library.

To permanently delete a template:

  1. Open an Email Sequence.
  2. Click the + icon to open the Add Automated Email window.
  3. Locate the template under Existing Templates.
  4. Click the trash icon next to the template you want to delete.

Important: Deleting an Email Template from your library is permanent and cannot be reversed.

The deleted template will also be automatically removed from every Email Sequence that contains it.

Make sure you no longer need the template before permanently deleting it.

Removing vs. Deleting a Template

Action Result
Remove from Sequence Removes the template from the selected sequence but keeps it in your library.
Delete from Library Permanently deletes the template from CM Hub and removes it from all sequences using it.

If you only want to change a particular sequence, we recommend removing the template rather than permanently deleting it.

Tips

  • Use descriptive template names. Naming templates according to their purpose makes them easier to organize and reuse.
  • Keep your subject lines natural. A clear, relevant subject line is generally more effective than one that feels overly promotional.
  • Personalize your messages. Use available shortcodes to address Brand Contacts by name and reference their companies.
  • Double-check your shortcodes. Incorrectly formatted shortcodes can cause issues when generating outreach campaigns.
  • Choose the format that fits your strategy. Plain Text Templates are great for conversational outreach, while HTML Templates allow for more visual customization.
  • Avoid unnecessary complexity. A visually elaborate email isn’t always better. Focus on communicating your value clearly.
  • Review your email signature. Keep your profile picture, name, and connected social accounts up to date so your signature accurately represents you.
  • Adjust your email delays. Make sure each template is scheduled appropriately within its sequence.
  • Remove templates instead of deleting them when possible. This preserves your work and allows you to reuse templates in future sequences.
  • Be careful when permanently deleting templates. Deleting a template from your library also removes it from every sequence where it’s being used.