> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.gosendwhale.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Create an Email Campaign: Setup Guide for SendWhale

> Start a campaign from scratch, generate a draft with Swell AI, pick a starter template, or import a design — then configure your send settings.

Every campaign in SendWhale begins with a creation step where you choose how to build your email and configure the core send settings. You can start from scratch, let Swell generate a first draft, pick a pre-built starter template, or bring in an existing design. After creating the campaign, it opens directly in the editor so you can refine the content before sending.

## Choose a starting point

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Blank canvas" icon="file">
    Start with an empty email and build your layout from scratch using the drag-and-drop editor.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Swell AI draft" icon="wand-magic-sparkles">
    Describe your campaign goal and let Swell generate an initial draft — subject line, layout, and copy — that you can refine in the editor.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Starter template" icon="table-cells-large">
    Choose from a set of editable starter templates. Each template is a fully editable starting point — not a locked design.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Import design" icon="arrow-up-from-bracket">
    Import an existing email as HTML, a screenshot, or a Figma design. See [Import Design](/campaigns/import-design) for details.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Campaign setup fields

After choosing a starting point, fill in your campaign's core settings:

<ParamField body="Campaign name" type="string" required>
  An internal label for this campaign. Recipients never see this name — use it to identify the campaign in your dashboard and reports.
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="Subject line" type="string" required>
  The subject line recipients see in their inbox. Keep it clear and accurate — avoid misleading or clickbait phrasing.
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="Preheader text" type="string">
  The preview text shown beneath the subject line in most email clients. Use it to complement the subject line with additional context.
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="Sender name" type="string" required>
  The display name recipients see as the "From" name — for example, your brand name or team name.
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="Sender email" type="string" required>
  The email address the campaign is sent from. Must be a verified sender domain or email address. Set up and verify senders in [Settings → Senders](/settings/senders).
</ParamField>

<ParamField body="Reply-to address" type="string">
  The address replies are directed to. Defaults to the sender email if left blank.
</ParamField>

## After creating the campaign

Once you confirm the setup, your campaign opens in the editor. From there you can build out the email content, preview it on desktop and mobile, and run a test send before scheduling or delivering to your audience.

<Note>
  Choose a descriptive internal campaign name — one that will still make sense months from now when you are reviewing reports. Including the date, topic, and audience in the name (for example, "June 2025 — Summer Sale — VIP List") makes filtering and comparison much easier.
</Note>


## Related topics

- [Create a SendWhale account with email or Google OAuth](/accounts/register.md)
- [SendWhale quickstart: build your first email campaign](/quickstart.md)
- [Run A/B Tests on Your Email Campaigns in SendWhale](/campaigns/ab-testing.md)
- [Campaign Tags in SendWhale: Create, Rename, and Apply](/campaigns/tags.md)
- [Send Your Email Campaign: Delivery Guide for SendWhale](/campaigns/send.md)


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