If you’re tired of sending emails that get ignored, you’re not alone. Most people get way too much email, and “Hi {{FirstName}}” isn’t impressing anyone. This guide is for anyone using TamTam who wants to stop blasting generic messages and actually get replies—whether you’re in sales, support, or just want your team to pay attention.
I’ll walk you through how to build genuinely personalized email templates in TamTam, what actually works (and what doesn’t), and a few pitfalls to dodge. No B.S., just clear steps.
Why Personalization Matters (and Where People Get It Wrong)
Let’s get this out of the way: “Personalization” isn’t just tossing someone’s name at the top of an email. Real personalization means making it clear you know who you’re talking to—and why they should care about what you’re saying.
What works:
- Using details that show you’ve done your homework (recent projects, company news, shared connections).
- Writing like a human, not a robot.
- Keeping things short—nobody wants to read an essay.
What doesn’t:
- Overusing merge tags. People can spot a form letter from a mile away.
- Cramming in too many “personal” details. It gets creepy, fast.
- Relying on a single template for everyone.
TamTam gives you tools to personalize at scale, but you’ve got to use them thoughtfully. Let’s dig in.
Step 1: Map Out Your Audience Segments
Before you even open TamTam, figure out who you’re writing to. If you’re sending the same thing to everyone, you’ll get ignored by everyone.
How to segment: - By role: Managers vs. end users vs. execs all care about different things. - By industry or company size: Tailor language to their world. - By stage in the relationship: Cold outreach needs a different touch than follow-ups.
Pro tip:
Don’t overthink it. Two or three segments is enough when you’re starting out. You can always get fancier later.
Step 2: Gather Real Personalization Data
TamTam’s merge fields pull in data from your contacts, but you need to feed it the right stuff.
What’s worth tracking:
- First name, company, job title (the basics)
- Last interaction date or topic
- Recent news about their company
- Shared connections or events
Skip:
- Overly intrusive details (“I saw your vacation photos on Instagram…”)
- Info you can’t keep up-to-date
How to collect it:
- Use TamTam’s integrations with your CRM, LinkedIn, or spreadsheets.
- Manually add key details for high-priority contacts.
- Keep it minimal—the more complex your data, the more likely it’ll break.
Heads up:
If your data is messy or out of date, your emails will look sloppy. Double-check before you hit send.
Step 3: Build Your Core Template in TamTam
Alright, now open TamTam and head to the templates section. Start with a base template for each segment—don’t worry about getting too specific yet.
Template basics: - Subject line: Be direct. “Quick question about {{Company}}” beats “Checking In.” - Opening line: Reference something specific (“I saw you recently…” or “Noticed your team is…”) - Body: Keep it focused. Why should they care? What’s in it for them? - Call to action: Ask one thing. Don’t pile on requests. - Signature: Keep it short and real. Skip the 8-line quote.
Example starter:
Subject: Quick question about {{Company}}
Hi {{FirstName}},
Noticed your team at {{Company}} [recent accomplishment or event, e.g., “launched a new product last month”]. I’m reaching out because [reason that matters to them].
Would it make sense to chat about [specific value or offer]? If not, no worries—just let me know.
Best,
[Your Name]
TamTam tip:
Use TamTam’s preview feature to see how your merge fields will look with real data. If {{FirstName}} is blank, fix your data or set a default (“there”).
Step 4: Add Smart Personalization Without Going Overboard
Now, layer in more personal touches for each segment—or even each person, if it’s worth the effort.
Ideas: - Reference a recent LinkedIn post or article they wrote. - Mention a mutual connection (if it’s genuine). - Comment on a challenge you know their industry is facing.
How to add in TamTam: - Use conditional fields: “If you have data for X, show this sentence.” - Create short, reusable snippets for common situations. - Leave blanks you can fill in by hand before sending to your top targets.
What NOT to do: - Don’t fake familiarity—if you don’t actually know them, don’t pretend you do. - Don’t make it sound like a mail merge. If it reads awkwardly, rewrite it.
Step 5: Test, Send, and Track
Even the best template is just a guess until you see how people react.
How to test: - Send to a small group first. - Track open rates and, more importantly, reply rates in TamTam. - Tweak your subject lines, intros, and asks based on what’s working.
Signs your template needs work: - Lots of opens, no replies? Your ask may not be clear or relevant. - Low opens? Your subject line might be boring or look spammy. - Weird merge field glitches? Time to fix your data again.
Pro tip:
Don’t obsess over tiny differences. If you’re getting replies—even just a few—you’re on the right track.
Step 6: Keep Templates Fresh (and Avoid the Spam Folder)
Templates get stale. If you’re seeing your response rates drop, it’s probably time for a refresh.
How to keep it working: - Update templates every month or two, especially intros and references. - Rotate a few versions to avoid spam filters flagging repetitive content. - Ask colleagues to review your templates—fresh eyes catch mistakes.
What to ignore:
- Advice that says “just A/B test everything forever.” Most of the time, a few good templates, kept up to date, beat endless tinkering.
Common Mistakes (and How to Dodge Them)
- Overusing automation: If every email looks the same, people tune you out.
- Chasing trends: Using “Hey {{FirstName}}, quick question!” works until it doesn’t. Don’t be a copycat.
- Ignoring replies: If someone writes back, don’t drop them into another sequence. Reply like a human.
Wrapping Up: Start Simple, Improve as You Go
Personalized email templates aren’t magic, but they work if you put in a little effort up front. Start small, keep your data clean, and write like a real person. Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good—get your first template out, see what happens, and tweak from there.
Most people overcomplicate this stuff. Simple, relevant, and honest beats clever any day. Good luck!