So you want to send a bunch of outreach messages, but you don’t want to sound like a robot. Maybe you’re selling, recruiting, or just trying to get a response. Problem is, nobody likes those copy-paste messages that scream “mass email.” This guide is for anyone who wants to send better, more personal messages—without losing a week to manual edits.
Let’s walk through how to actually use Getfollow templates and variables to pull this off. We’ll cut through the hype and focus on what works (and what doesn’t).
Why Bother Personalizing at All?
If you’ve ever gotten a “Dear {{first_name}}” message that didn’t even get your name right, you already know: fake personalization is worse than no personalization. People can spot a form letter a mile away.
But when you get it right, even small tweaks—like mentioning someone’s job or city—can bump up your response rates. The trick is to automate the repetitive parts, but still sound like you actually put in some effort.
Step 1: Get Your Data in Order
Before you even open Getfollow, you need a decent contact list. No, really—don’t skip this step. Garbage in, garbage out.
What you need: - A spreadsheet (CSV or Excel) with columns for everything you might want to personalize: first name, company, job title, location, etc. - Double-check for typos and missing data. Blank fields can make your message look even more awkward than no personalization at all.
Pro tip:
If you don’t have reliable data for a variable, either go find it or don’t use that variable. “Hi , I saw you work at .” is a fast track to the spam folder.
Step 2: Set Up Your Getfollow Template
Now, head into Getfollow and set up your message template. This is where you’ll use variables to stand in for the personal bits.
How variables work:
Variables are just placeholders—think {{first_name}} or {{company}}—that Getfollow will swap out for each person.
Keep in mind:
- Stick to variables you actually have data for (see Step 1).
- Variables are case-sensitive. {{First_Name}} and {{first_name}} aren’t the same.
- You can use fallback values: e.g., {{first_name|there}} will say “there” if first_name is missing.
Example template:
Hi {{first_name|there}},
I saw you're at {{company}} and thought you might be interested in what we're working on. If that's off-base, just let me know—promise I won't bug you again.
Best, Alex
What to avoid: - Don’t get cute with too many variables. “Hi {{first_name}}, I see you’re a {{job_title}} at {{company}} in {{city}}...” It reads like mad libs. - Don’t try to fake a connection you don’t have. People can tell.
Step 3: Test (and Actually Read) Your Message
Here’s where most people blow it. They set up their template, glance at a preview, and hit send.
What you should do: - Preview several messages with different contacts, including some with missing or weird data. - Read them out loud. If it sounds off to you, it’ll definitely sound off to them. - Check for awkward phrasing, like “Hi there,” or “I saw you’re at .”
Common mistakes: - Fallback values that don’t make sense (“Hi there,” is fine, but “I saw you’re at .” isn’t). - Messages that are too generic after personalizing. If your message still works when you take out the variables, it’s probably too bland.
Pro tip:
Send a couple messages to yourself and a brutally honest friend. If they cringe, fix it.
Step 4: Upload and Map Your Data
Once your template looks good, upload your spreadsheet to Getfollow.
Mapping variables: - Make sure each column in your sheet lines up with the variable in your template. - Don’t assume—double-check the mapping screen before saving.
What to watch for: - If you see a lot of blanks in the preview, go back and clean up your data. - If a column has weird formatting (like spaces before names), fix it in your spreadsheet first.
Don’t overthink it:
You don’t need every possible variable. A simple “Hi {{first_name}}” is often enough.
Step 5: Hit Send (But Start Small)
You’re ready to go—but don’t blast 1,000 messages on your first try. Weird things will slip through.
What works: - Send a small batch first (20–50). Watch for replies, bounces, and anything that looks off. - Tweak your template or data as needed. - Only scale up when you’re not embarrassed by what’s going out.
What doesn’t: - Trusting that “automation” means “done.” Every tool misses something. People notice mistakes more than you do.
Pro tip:
If you’re sending cold outreach, expect most people not to reply. That’s normal. Focus on quality, not just volume.
Step 6: Review Results and Iterate
Personalization isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it job. The best outreach pros are always tweaking.
What to pay attention to: - Response rates: Are people actually replying? - Negative feedback: Is anyone saying your message is weird or off? - Patterns: Are certain variables actually helping, or just making things clunky?
What to ignore: - Vanity metrics (opens, clicks) if your real goal is replies or conversations. - “Best practices” that don’t fit your audience. Some people hate first-name emails. Others don’t care.
What Actually Works (and What Doesn’t)
Works: - Using a couple of well-chosen variables (name, company, maybe something relevant to their work). - Short, direct messages. - Templates that sound like you, not like a template.
Doesn’t work: - Overdoing it with variables—especially if your data isn’t great. - Pretending to know someone when you don’t. - Blindly trusting automation to catch everything.
Ignore: - Templates with “clever” tricks or fake flattery. People see right through it. - Over-promising what personalization can do. It helps, but it’s not magic.
Keep It Simple — And Keep Tweaking
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel here. Good outreach is about sounding like a real person, even if you’re using tools like Getfollow to do the heavy lifting. Start with clean data, keep your templates simple, and always check your work. When in doubt, send fewer, better messages—and don’t be afraid to change things up if you’re not getting results.
The best outreach pros are the ones still tinkering. So keep it simple, keep it honest, and don’t let the robots take over your tone.