How to Add a File to a Squarespace Email Campaign
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Squarespace makes it easy for you to upload a file and link to it from one of your website pages, or inside a blog post. However, when you’re writing a campaign email using the Squarespace email marketing feature, things are different!
Did they forget something? I think so! But below, I have a workaround for you, that will get the job done.
Here’s the option you’ll see for uploading a file and linking to it, in one of your main website pages:
^ The Link Editor here includes a “File” option
So, if you’re working on a web page or blog post, it’s straightforward to add your file. Not sure how? Instructions are here.
But here’s what the link editor looks like, inside a Squarespace email campaign:
^ The “File” option is missing, inside the Squarespace Campaign editor
This means, if you want to link to a handy file when you send a campaign to your email subscribers, you’re going to get stuck. This is especially frustrating if you promise a lead magnet, reader magnet, or other useful resource, and you want to send it as part of your automated welcome sequence.
Related reading: 33 reader magnet ideas for authors
Here’s my workaround for linking to a file in a Squarespace campaign email:
Create a new “secret page” on your website, that only you can see. Call it Handy Links, or similar.
Be sure to go into the page settings and disable the page, so your website visitors don’t stumble across it. Here’s info on how to do this.
On that new page, write the title of your file as a simple piece of text, create a link, and upload the file there. Use these instructions (also mentioned above) if you’re not sure how.
Make a note of the link that Squarespace creates for you. It will look something like:
/s/filename.pdf
See the screenshot example below.Launch an incognito or private browsing window, so you’re not logged into your Squarespace account. Here’s info on how to do this.
Create and test your full link by adding your entire website url to the front. So the complete link will look something like:
https://www.yourwebsite.com/s/filename.pdf
An example from my site: https://www.paulinewiles.com/s/50-step-website-checklist.pdfThis is the link you can then insert as a Web Address, while you’re creating your Squarespace email campaign.
Partial file link to use inside your Squarespace email campaign
Alternatively, make a subscriber-only resources page
Another similar option is to put your handy links on a page that you share only with your email subscribers. You might choose to password-protect this page, or you might simply hide it from search engines. (Do both of these inside Page Settings.)
This is a nice way of creating a resource library for your VIP readers, or to deliver bonus resources for people who have bought your book.
Naturally, you’ll want this page to look more attractive, compared to just listing handy links for your own use.
To see an example of this in action, sign up for my client Elizabeth Treccase’s free resources here.
Why is the “file” option missing from a Squarespace email campaign?
Honestly, I’m not quite sure. The Marketing module is a slightly different part of the overall Squarespace eco-system, and my guess is, this was either an oversight, or there is something tricky behind the scenes about where the file could actually be stored.
But it’s certainly a confusing experience, that you can accomplish the file upload task easily in one place, and not at all in another.
This easy workaround will let you accomplish your task and bring a useful resource to your readers.
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