If you spend your days reaching out to prospects, you know the real drag isn’t finding leads—it’s writing the same message over and over. If you’re using Leadleaper, you’ve probably wondered: is there a faster way? Short answer: yes. This guide will show you how to customize and save lead templates in Leadleaper, so you can spend less time typing and more time actually connecting.
This is for sales folks, recruiters, and anyone who needs to hammer out a lot of outreach without sounding like a robot. Let’s get right into it.
Why Templates Matter (and Where Most Go Wrong)
Before you roll your eyes—yes, templates can be terrible. People can spot a mail merge from a mile away. But here’s the thing: the real problem isn’t the template, it’s the lack of customization.
Good templates save you from repetitive typing and mental fatigue. Great templates are flexible enough to feel personal with just a tweak or two.
Leadleaper lets you build and save your own templates, but it’s easy to get lazy and blast the same generic note. Don’t do that. Treat templates as time savers, not shortcuts to spam.
Step 1: Find Leadleaper’s Template Feature
First off, make sure you’re logged into Leadleaper and you have the Chrome extension installed (it’s required for most of the workflow).
Leadleaper’s template feature isn’t buried, but it’s not always obvious if you’re new. Here’s how to find it:
- Go to your Leadleaper dashboard.
- Click on “Message Templates” in the sidebar (sometimes just labeled “Templates”).
- If you’re working from the extension, open it while viewing a list of leads and look for the “Templates” tab or icon.
If you don’t see any of this, you might be on a limited/free plan—Leadleaper does gate some features. If that’s the case, you’re not missing out on magic. You can still use basic copy-paste templates in a pinch.
Pro tip: Always keep Leadleaper updated to the latest version. Features move around, and bugs get squashed.
Step 2: Create Your First Template
Now for the fun part—building a template that doesn’t feel like spam.
- Click “New Template” or the "+" button.
- Name your template. Make it specific: e.g., “SaaS Cold Outreach v1” or “Recruiter Follow-Up April 2024.” You’ll thank yourself later.
- Write your message.
- Use merge tags (like
{first_name}or{company}) wherever you want Leadleaper to fill in details automatically. - Keep the tone conversational—write like a human, not a call center script.
- Leave space or brackets for personal tweaks, e.g.,
Hi {first_name}, [add quick personal note about their recent post].
Example Template:
Subject: Quick question, {first_name}
Hi {first_name},
I came across your profile and noticed your work at {company}—impressive stuff. [Insert specific note about their project or role.]
I’m reaching out because I think there’s a potential fit for {offer/value}. If you’re open to a quick chat, let me know!
Best, {your_name}
What works:
- Personalization fields keep it dynamic.
- Prompts for a real personal note.
- Short, no-fluff format.
What to avoid:
- Overloading with merge tags (it’ll sound robotic).
- Copying templates from Google—you’ll sound like everyone else.
- Making it all about you (“I, I, I…”). Keep it relevant to them.
Step 3: Save and Test Your Template
Don’t just hit save and call it a day. Test your template:
- Use the “Preview” function or send a test message to yourself.
- Double-check that merge tags work (do they pull in the right info?).
- Read the message out loud. If you cringe, so will your leads.
If something looks off or the message feels stiff, tweak it now. You don’t want to realize it’s broken after you’ve sent it to 50 people.
Pro tip:
Create a “dummy” lead with fake data to see how your template handles odd names or missing fields. Better to catch awkwardness early.
Step 4: Set Up Multiple Templates for Different Scenarios
One template won’t cut it. Here’s where most people get lazy—don’t be that person.
- Create versions for different industries or roles.
- Have a follow-up template ready (most replies come after the second message).
- Build a “connection request” template for LinkedIn, if you use Leadleaper’s LinkedIn features.
Examples: - “First Touch - SaaS CTO” - “Follow-Up #1 - No Reply” - “Recruiter - Product Manager Outreach”
What to ignore:
You don’t need a new template for every single lead. Just enough to cover your main use cases. Otherwise, you’ll spend all day managing templates instead of sending messages.
Step 5: Use Templates in Real Outreach
Now it’s time to actually use what you’ve built.
- When viewing a lead, open the Leadleaper extension or web dashboard.
- Click “Insert Template” (or similar) and pick the right one.
- Review the auto-filled fields. Add a quick personal line—don’t skip this.
- Send your message.
Pro tip:
Set aside 10 minutes each week to update or prune your templates. Stuff that worked last month might feel stale now.
Step 6: Manage, Edit, and Organize Your Templates
Once you’ve got a few templates, things can get messy. Leadleaper lets you:
- Edit templates any time (just click “Edit” next to the template name).
- Delete old/unused templates.
- Organize templates by naming conventions or folders (if available).
What works:
- Clear naming: “2024 Q2 SaaS CEO Cold Email” is better than “Template 3.”
- Archive templates rather than deleting if you want to revisit them later.
What doesn’t:
- Hoarding templates you never use.
- Letting old, broken templates sit unchecked.
Step 7: Keep Improving (and Avoid Common Mistakes)
Templates are living documents. What worked last quarter might bomb this one. Here’s how to stay sharp:
- Review your response rates monthly. If a template isn’t working, change it.
- Ask a colleague to read your template—fresh eyes catch tone problems.
- Don’t get lazy. Always add a relevant, personal touch before sending.
- Avoid sounding like a bot. If your message could be sent to anyone, it’ll connect with no one.
Ignore:
People who say you need to rewrite every single message from scratch. You’re busy. Just make your templates flexible and tweak as needed.
Wrapping Up: Keep It Simple, Iterate Often
Don’t overthink this. Templates are power tools, not crutches. Build a few solid ones, tweak them as you go, and don’t be afraid to delete what doesn’t work. Most importantly, remember the goal: less busywork, more real conversations.
Now get out there, set up your templates, and make outreach suck a whole lot less.