Setup guide
Connect Mail Relay (SMTP)
Direct answer
Yes. In Mail Relay, add your SMTP host, port, encryption, username, and password, plus a From name/email. Save, send a test message, then use Story Reach so invites come from your brand—not a generic platform address.
Why connect your own mail
- Customers recognize your domain in the From line
- Better deliverability when SPF/DKIM are set on your domain
- Passwords are encrypted at rest and never shown again after save
Step-by-step
- 1
Open Mail Relay in the dashboard
Go to Dashboard → Mail Relay. You’ll enter SMTP host, port, encryption, username, password, and the From name/email customers see.
- 2
Pick how you’ll send mail
Use a Google/Outlook app password, a mailbox from your host (cPanel), or a transactional provider (Amazon SES, SendGrid, Mailgun, Postmark). Domain-authenticated providers deliver best.
- 3
Fill SMTP credentials
Host and port come from your provider (often smtp.gmail.com:587 STARTTLS, or :465 SSL). Username is usually the full email. Password is an app password or SMTP secret—not always your normal login.
- 4
Set From name and From email
From email should match a mailbox or domain you’re allowed to send as. Mismatches cause spam folders or rejects.
- 5
Save, then send a test
Save credentials (password is encrypted and won’t be shown again). Use Send test email to confirm delivery before turning on Story Reach campaigns.
Provider cheat sheet
Gmail / Google Workspace
Enable 2-Step Verification, create an App Password, use smtp.gmail.com, port 587, STARTTLS. Username = full Gmail address; password = 16-character app password.
Google app passwords →Outlook / Microsoft 365
Create an app password if your tenant requires it. Use smtp.office365.com, port 587, STARTTLS. From email should match the mailbox.
Microsoft security →cPanel / hosting mailbox
Email Accounts → Connect Devices / Configure Mail Client. Copy SMTP host, port (465 SSL or 587 STARTTLS), and mailbox username/password.
SES / SendGrid / Mailgun / Postmark
Create an SMTP user, verify your sending domain (SPF/DKIM), then paste host, port 587, and the generated username/password into Mail Relay.
Troubleshooting
- Gmail rejects normal passwords—use an App Password after 2FA.
- From address must be allowed by the SMTP account or verified domain.
- Port 587 → STARTTLS; port 465 → SSL. Mixing them fails silently.
- Daily send limits still apply—check the Mail Relay status tiles.