Merge tags apply to your email subscriber lists and email campaigns. Using merge tags is very important. They allow for the automatic personalization of email campaigns for each subscriber.
For example, you will utilize merge tags when first creating a subscriber list. It is recommended that you read more about Lists. The option to use merge tags begins on Step 1 of the List wizard. Once you get to Step 2, you have the option to add even more merge tags.
When you get to Step 3, you’ll notice that some merge tag fields have additional options. In the right column of the screen, click on “Add Field”. (See sample image from the wizard, below) Enter a Field Label Name so your subscribers know what entry is expected there. In the same right column, you can choose to make a merge field entry mandatory or not, by clicking on “Field Settings”. These settings will also let you control the order in which the fields show up on your email subscriber list form.
Create and modify as many merge tags as you want. Each one will be automatically formatted accordingly. For example, using a date field only allows a subscriber to enter a date, not a phone number, while an image merge tag will only allow an image. Merge tags can also include: Text, Number, Radio Buttons, Dropdowns, Date, Birthday, Address, Zip Code, Phone, Website. There is no limit to the number of choices you can use.
Once your list is completed, you would then send a campaign using that list. Because each subscribers’ specific information resides within the list, the campaign will be personalized for each one of them, using merge tags. It is recommended that you read about Email Campaigns. Just like in Step 1 of the List wizard, the option to use merge tags begins on Step 1 of the Email Campaign wizard. Using merge tags helps prevent your campaigns from being treated as spam. On Step 3, you can add more merge tags to further personalize an email template.
In the image below, you can see how using merge tags in your campaigns would look. Merge tags that you use will automatically be replaced with that email subscriber’s corresponding information. Example: *|FNAME|* *|LNAME|* *|EMAIL|* will insert their first name, last name and email address. The merge tags used on the left will ‘convert’ using each subscribers’ specific information when they receive your email campaign.
Suggested reading: Email Subscriber Lists and Email Marketing Campaigns
