Adding Merge Variables to Emails

You can personalize your messages is by using merge variables in SharpSpring. Personalized communications increase engagement, resulting in improved conversions. A merge variable can be used to merge information about the each recipient, so you can customize each email to make it look like you are sending a personal email to each person on your list. This article will detail how to add merge variables to emails. Article Contents Adding Merge Variables Available Merge Fields Using Merge Variables for Customized URLs Customizing Unsubscribe Link Text Adding Merge Variables to Subject Lines	Available with:
	Marketing Automation	✓
	CRM Ultimate	✓
	CRM PRO	✓
	CRM Free	✓

	Toolbar:


	Users:
	Administrators	✓
	Company Managers	✓
	Marketing Managers	✓
	Sales Managers
	Salespersons
	Jr. Salespersons

Adding Merge Variables

To add merge variables to emails, do the following:

In the top toolbar in SharpSpring, click Content > Emails. Create or edit an email. Double-click the text of the email to open the Content Editor. In the Content Editor toolbar, click the Merge drop-down menu. Select the desired merge variable from the available merge fields. Once selected, enter in the placeholder text in the Default (optional) field. Click OK. Click Save.		Click to enlarge.
		Note: Unsubscribe addresses cannot be edited in emails. They can only be edited in the Company Profile.

		Note: Unsubscribe Fields and Global Merge Variables do not use a default field.

Optionally, after adding a merge variable, you can send the email as a smart mail to your own lead record to see how the variables look in the email. Preview emails do not show populated merge variables.

Available Merge Fields

Field		Description
Custom Fields		The available list of created custom fields.
Recipient Fields		These are fields dealing with a recipient's personal information.
Lead Owner Fields		Name, phone number, and email information fields for the lead owner.
Unsubscribe Fields		Unsubscribe links.
Link Merge Variables		View in browser link.
Global Merge Variables		Variables that apply across any email, like the From Address.
Miscellaneous		Other assorted fields, including the number of bounces and the date.

Using Merge Variables for Customized URLs

Create customized URLS by using merge variables in a link within your email by doing the following:

In the top toolbar in SharpSpring, click Content > Emails. Create or edit an email. Double-click the text of the email to open the Content Editor. In the content editor's toolbar, click + > Link. In the modal window that appears, enter the following information: • Enter your desired URL in the URL text box. • Enter the URL followed by the merge variable in the Text to Display box. Click OK. Click Save.		Click to enlarge.
		Note: You can see how the links look in the finalized email by sending the email to a test list that includes your email address.

As an example, if your URL is https://sharpspring.com, and you want the customized URL to say https://sharpspring.com/Gregg, then you will want to add https://sharpspring.com/{$firstName} to the Text to Display box.

Customizing Unsubscribe Link Text

You can customize unsubscribe link text for a more personalized touch. To customize unsubscribe link text, do the following:

In SharpSpring's top toolbar, click Content > Emails. Create or edit an email. Insert a merge variable. Highlight the {$unsubscribeLink} text. Copy the {$unsubscribeLink} text. In the formatting toolbar, click + Plus > Link. In the modal window that appears, paste the {$unsubscribeLink} text in the URL field. In the Text to Display field, enter the text you want to display. Click OK. Click Save.		Click to enlarge.
		Important: Alterations to unsubscribe links that violate any anti-spam or informed consent law by attempting to obfuscate the unsubscribe option can result in immediate account termination.

Adding Merge Variables to Subject Lines

You can add merge variables to email subject lines. To add merge variables to subject lines, do the following:

In SharpSpring's top toolbar, click
Content > Emails.
Create or edit an email.
Insert a merge variable into the email body.
Copy the merge variable.
In the Email Designer panel to the left, click
Send Settings.
In Subject text box, paste the merge variable.
Complete the email subject line as you see fit around the merge variable.
Click Save.

Click to enlarge.

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