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

# Send an Email from the Inbox

> Send a formatted email from CoachIQ with Blank, Branded, or Spotlight designs, your logo, and editable headers and footers.

Open **Inbox → Create New → Email** to write a message with a subject line and send it to an email address. Use it for client check-ins, session follow-ups, and updates that need more formatting than a text message.

## Choose the right message type

| Message type                              | Use it for                                         |
| ----------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------- |
| [In-app messages](/inbox/in-app-messages) | Conversations with athletes and parents in CoachIQ |
| [SMS](/inbox/sms-messages)                | Text messages to a phone number                    |
| [Announcements](/inbox/announcements)     | Group updates that also appear in the app          |
| Email                                     | A formatted email with its own subject and design  |

A [professional email address](/inbox/professional-email), such as [coach@yourbusiness.com](mailto:coach@yourbusiness.com), is your business mailbox. It is separate from choosing the Email channel or a branded design in CoachIQ.

## Send your first email

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the email composer">
    Open **Inbox**, click **Create New**, then select **Email** from the channel choices across the top.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose recipients and add a subject">
    In **Send to**, search for a person in your group or enter an email address. Review the selected recipients, then enter a clear **Subject**. The recipient does not need to use the CoachIQ app to receive email.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Write your message">
    Write in the main editor. Use the toolbar for paragraph styles, bold, italic, text color, lists, and links. If you want clients to book or buy, include the relevant scheduler or product link in your message.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Choose a design and review the email">
    Open **Design** and choose Blank, Branded, or Spotlight. Review the subject, message, links, recipients, and any header/footer text before sending. The canvas shows the design you are editing; recipients' email apps may render spacing differently.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Send">
    Click **Send** when the email is ready. If CoachIQ shows an error, follow the message before retrying. Do not assume that leaving the composer saved an unfinished draft.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Frame caption="The Email composer combines recipients and subject with the message canvas and appearance controls. This example has no recipients and was not sent.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/coachiq/7i3rHM9Dk30X1mZW/images/inbox-email-branded-composer-2026-09.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7i3rHM9Dk30X1mZW&q=85&s=bf5ca10393a64ec804425e826baada37" alt="CoachIQ Email composer with Branded selected, subject field, appearance controls, editable header and footer, and a sample session follow-up" width="2360" height="1640" data-path="images/inbox-email-branded-composer-2026-09.png" />
</Frame>

## Choose Blank, Branded, or Spotlight

| Design        | What it adds                                                        |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Blank**     | A simple message without branded framing                            |
| **Branded**   | A colored header and a footer with space for reply guidance         |
| **Spotlight** | A gradient header with an additional short heading above your title |

The **Design** menu also offers **Client check-in** and **Session follow-up** starter copy. These are optional and replace the subject and message, so choose them before writing your final text or review what they replace.

<Frame caption="Choose the visual design separately from optional starter copy.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/coachiq/7i3rHM9Dk30X1mZW/images/inbox-email-designs-2026-09.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7i3rHM9Dk30X1mZW&q=85&s=db549bc93bde53429160770fb4ab933c" alt="Email design chooser showing Blank, Branded, Spotlight, Client check-in and Session follow-up" width="1356" height="744" data-path="images/inbox-email-designs-2026-09.png" />
</Frame>

## Customize a branded email

Choose **Branded** or **Spotlight** to show **Appearance** controls beside the canvas.

* **Theme:** choose Light or Dark.
* **Logo:** choose an image through **Media Hub**, use **App logo**, or select **None**. You can also use the logo control on the canvas.
* **Colors:** adjust the primary color and header, logo, body, and footer backgrounds using their color controls or hex values.
* **Header and footer:** click their text on the canvas to edit it. Spotlight also includes a short heading above the main header.
* **Reset:** restores the appearance defaults. Review the result before sending.

Your organization color supplies the starting design. Branded Inbox emails use the group's logo when available, falling back to the organization logo. An explicit logo choice or **None** takes precedence. Check your branding when switching groups.

<Frame caption="Spotlight adds a gradient header and a short heading above the main title. The screenshot shows the editing canvas, including the logo control.">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/coachiq/7i3rHM9Dk30X1mZW/images/inbox-email-spotlight-2026-09.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=7i3rHM9Dk30X1mZW&q=85&s=189d0bbe4a60f29328d0f06c4d5df4fd" alt="Spotlight email design with a gradient header, A message from heading, training follow-up body and reply-friendly footer" width="1588" height="1158" data-path="images/inbox-email-spotlight-2026-09.png" />
</Frame>

## Email and your business mailbox

Choosing a logo or editing the header does not connect a Gmail or Google Workspace mailbox, change domain authentication, or create a new sender address. If you need [coach@yourbusiness.com](mailto:coach@yourbusiness.com), follow [Professional Email](/inbox/professional-email).

The Inbox folder rail currently lists **All**, **Announcements**, **In-App**, and **SMS**; Email is available under **Create New**. Do not look for a separate Email folder to start writing.

For an update that should also appear in the athlete app, use [Announcements](/inbox/announcements). Email is a direct send, not a newsletter campaign builder with mailing-list management and open tracking.

## Troubleshooting

* **Can't see appearance controls:** choose Branded or Spotlight instead of Blank.
* **Wrong logo:** check the current group, then choose App logo or a specific image. A previous explicit choice takes precedence over the default.
* **Starter copy replaced your writing:** the starter options replace subject and message. Review both before sending.
* **Recipient has not received it:** confirm the selected address and ask them to check spam or junk. A successful send action does not guarantee inbox placement. Contact support with the recipient and send time if needed.

## Related articles

* [Inbox overview](/inbox/inbox-overview)
* [In-app messages](/inbox/in-app-messages)
* [SMS](/inbox/sms-messages)
* [Announcements](/inbox/announcements)
* [Professional Email](/inbox/professional-email)