Customising an email subject line with a recipient’s first name is a great way to boost your open rate. But what if your database is missing a few names?
TalkBox lets you set up default text (backup text) for email subject lines and SMS messages. This text appears when merge-field data (e.g. first names) is missing.
Let's say you want to use the following subject line:
Personalise your communications like a pro, {first name}
and you add default text: "with this handy hint".
Here’s how it would appear if your recipient's first name is Joe:
Personalise your communications like a pro, Joe
And here’s how it would appear if your recipient's first name is not recorded in your database:
Personalise your communications like a pro, with this handy hint
If you hadn’t added default text, your email subject line would end with a comma, like this:
Personalise your communications like a pro,
It’s not bad, but default text helps give it that professional edge.
How to set up default text
- Compose your email subject line or SMS message. Place your cursor where you want the recipient’s name to appear (or default text should appear if no name is recorded).
- Click on Insert merge field… and select First name.
- Click on Insert merge field… again and select Settings.
- Add your chosen text in the box under ‘Default value’.
- Select OK.
If you prefer to send your message only to people with first names recorded (and none to people who don’t), tick the box next to ‘Required for send’ instead.
Note: default text is currently available for email subject lines and SMS messages, but we’re planning to add this functionality to other parts of TalkBox in future.
Learn more about what makes a successful email subject line here.