How to personalize a post using merge tags

Merge tags are a powerful tool that allow you to personalize your posts or automation emails by using custom fields from your account. By incorporating merge tags, you can tailor content to each individual subscriber, making your communications more engaging and relevant.

Using fallback values with merge tags

Once you’ve set up custom fields, you can create merge tags to be used in your posts or automation emails that looks like this:

{{ name of custom field | fallback value }}

 

A fallback value is a default text or value that is displayed when a merge tag doesn’t have a specific value to pull from. This means that if you use a merge tag to address subscribers by their first name but some subscribers don’t have a first name in your account, the fallback value ensures that the content still makes sense.

For example, if you want to greet your readers by their first name, you could use:

Welcome, {{ first name | reader }}!

• If a subscriber has a first name saved in their subscriber profile (like "Claudia"), it will display as such in your post or automation email. 
  • Looks like: Welcome, Claudia!
• If they don’t have a first name, the fallback value "reader" will appear, ensuring that your message remains relevant and meaningful. 
  • Looks like: Welcome, reader!
• If no fallback value is set, it will just be blank. 
  • Looks like: Welcome,!

 

Types of merge tags

You can create merge tags for any custom field in your account. Here are some examples:

Subscriber count merge tag

Use the {{active_subscriber_count}} merge tag to pull in your current subscriber count and display it in your copy. 

Thanks for joining the movement, you’re our {{active_subscriber_count}} activist! 

Looks like: Thanks for joining the movement, you’re our 2,202 activist! 

 

Referral Program merge tags

Merge tags are a great way to enhance your Referral Program. Use the {{ rp_refer_url }} merge tag to display the unique referral URL for each subscriber by adding it to the bottom of your posts.

Share your link: {{ rp_refer_url }}

Looks like: Share your link: https://beehiiv.com/subscribe?ref=8KJcP 

Note: The above link is an example. The actual link shown will be unique to each subscriber.

 

Other creative ways to use merge tags

Use a merge tag at the beginning of your post to welcome your audience back.

Welcome back, {{ first name | friend }}!

Looks like:  Welcome back, Claudia!

Fallback value: Welcome back, friend!

 

Add a merge tag to the text of a button in a post.

Click here, {{ first_name | reader }}

Looks like:  Click here, Claudia

Fallback value: Click here, reader