Personalized messages tend to perform better than those that appear to have been sent as a "blast." You can use the "personalization" option to send customized messages that are likely to get more opens and, therefore, more responses.

You can insert keywords into email messages and fax messages in order to "personalize" the message, per contact. For example, you could create a personalized greeting such as "Hello, INSERT_FIRST_NAME" in a message, and then, when the message is sent, the INSERT_FIRST_NAME placeholder keyword will be replaced with each contact's first name (e.g., "Hello, John.").

NOTE: The values of these "personalization" fields are inserted at send-time, so be mindful of how you use them. In particular, make sure that the data source contains current and correct information.

Keywords

Standard Fields, Custom Fields, Shared Enhanced Fields, and Private Enhanced Fields are individual sets of keywords that can be used to personalize email messages and fax messages.

Standard Fields is a locked set of "out-of-the-box" keywords available in all accounts.

• Learn more about Custom Fields & Custom Date Fields.
• Learn more about (shared and private) Enhanced Personalization Fields.

Personalize messages in a template or message

Templates and messages can be personalized with any Standard, Custom or Enhanced Fields while editing them.

1. Place your cursor in the text where you want the personalized value to go.
2. Select the Insert Personalized Field icon (highlighted below).
3. Select the field you would like to insert.
4. Select Insert.

In the example below, INSERT_FIRST_NAME is the placeholder keyword that will automatically be updated to each contact's first name when the message is sent.

Personalize messages in the copy/paste template

1. Place your cursor in the message where you want the personalized value to go.
2. Select the keyword icon.
3. Copy the keyword of the value you would like to insert.
4. Click the X on the pop-up window.
5. Paste the keyword value where you want the personalized value to be.

Preview your personalized message

Once personalization is inserted, you can preview it using the Preview Personalization feature in the Menu tab.

1. On the Menu tab, click Preview Personalization.

2. A new tab opens in your browser. Select the group that the message is going to.
3. Click Preview Message. In the lower pane, your message is displayed, along with the first contact in the selected group.
4. You can only preview these field values one at a time in the lower pane. Click the Next and Previous links at the top of the lower pane to preview all records in the group.

Personalize a subject line

For messages sent to individuals and groups, you can use personalization keywords in the subject line as well as the message.

1. Navigate to Messages > List and select a message.
2. Click Send and choose To an individual or To a group.
3. In the Subject Line field, type/paste any text that you want to accompany the personalization.
4. Click the Personalization icon (highlighted below).
5. In the personalization dialog, click to select a personalization field and click Insert.

EXAMPLE: In the example below, we'll populate the subject line with a salutation followed by each contact's first and last names: Dear, INSERT_FIRST_NAME INSERT_LAST_NAME

Notes

• You can insert only one personalization field at a time.
• Click the Personalization icon again to add another personalization field and click Insert; repeat as necessary to insert additional personalization fields.
• Refer to Subject line character limits, below.

View a list of Personalization Keywords.

Get creative with personalization

Using Personalization is a simple and easy way to add a little flair to your subject lines.

The subject line is the first thing your contacts see when they receive your message in their inbox, so take this opportunity to capture their attention with your personalization skills and creativity. A subject line like this...

...increases the likelihood that Karl in Sydney and Phyliss in Kalamazoo will open your message.

So, use your imagination and create captivating subject lines that inspire your contacts to see what you've got to say.

Subject line character limits

When adding personalization to a subject line, consider that the various email clients have different character limits. Also, remember that your contacts use a variety of devices; mobile devices typically show fewer characters in the subject line.

If your subject line personalization is too long, it will be truncated and not properly display, thereby possibly negating any benefit you'd hoped to realize from personalization.

Troubleshooting

Why was there an incorrect value when the keyword was populated?

Many keywords are tied to the contact record. If a contact's record had been updated, the system will insert whatever value is present for that contact at the time of send. A good way to prevent incorrect values is to make sure a value has been specified for the field in Contacts > List > [select_contact] > Edit.

Why was there a blank value?

Many keywords are tied to the contact record. If a contact's record had been updated, the system will insert whatever value is present for that contact at the time of send. A good way to prevent empty values is to make sure a value has been specified for the field in Contacts > List > [select_contact] > Edit.