How to Personalize Email Content
Personalized emails get higher open and click rates. OutSends lets you insert custom fields, dynamic content blocks, and conditional logic to make every email feel tailor-made.
What you'll need
Before you start, make sure you have the following ready.
- An OutSends account
- A contact list with custom fields (firstName, company, etc.)
- An email template to personalize
Step-by-step guide
Follow these steps to complete the setup.
Insert merge tags
Use {{firstName}}, {{company}}, or any custom field in your email body and subject line. OutSends replaces these per recipient.
Use conditional content
Show different content based on recipient data. Example: "{{if industry == 'tech'}}Check our API{{else}}See our guide{{endif}}"
Create dynamic content blocks
Design content blocks that change based on segments or tags. Great for A/B testing content within a single email.
Preview before sending
Use the preview tool to check how different recipients' data renders in your email. Test with multiple sample contacts.
Track personalization performance
Compare open and click rates for personalized vs. non-personalized emails in campaign reports.
Tips for best results
Pro tips to get the most out of this setup.
- Always include a fallback value: {{firstName:there}} shows "there" if the field is empty
- Don't over-personalize — 3-5 merge fields per email is the sweet spot
- Test personalization with a segment of 10 contacts first
Frequently asked questions
What merge fields can I use?
Any field in your contact list — name, company, job title, location, custom fields, and more.
Can I personalize images?
Yes, you can use merge tags in image URLs to show different images to different segments.
Does personalization affect spam scores?
Proper personalization actually lowers spam scores. Generic "Dear Sir/Madam" emails get flagged more often.
Related guides
Explore more how-to guides for OutSends.
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