--- title: How to add a placeholder token in your emails description: Personalize your emails to leads with placeholder tokens (also known as merge tags) --- [Skip to content](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/email-tokens#main-content) [Contact Support](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/kb-tickets/new?hsLang=en) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Contact Support](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/kb-tickets/new) Welcome! What can we help you learn today? - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Knowledge Base](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/?hsLang=en) 2. [Sending Emails](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sending-emails?hsLang=en) 3. [Customizing your Emails](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sending-emails?hsLang=en#customizing-your-emails) # How to add a placeholder token in your emails ## Personalize your emails to leads with placeholder tokens (also known as merge tags) The most common use for placeholder tokens in emails is to address recipients by their first names. Since you can create up to ten custom fields for your contacts in PartnerOn, you can add in any information you like using this feature! ### Before selecting and editing your email Before you add tokens into your email template, make sure that you have added your recipients' first names in their contact records. You can check by going to Contacts \> [Manage Contacts. ](https://butterflypublisher.com/b/members.php)   If your recipient's name has been added, you will see their name in parentheses next to their email address in the contact entry.  ![Screen Shot 2020-10-29 at 3.01.19 PM](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-10-29%20at%203.01.19%20PM.png?width=688&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-10-29%20at%203.01.19%20PM.png)   To edit a contact record, **click the pencil icon** on the right side of the contact entry.  ![Screen Shot 2020-10-29 at 3.05.24 PM](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-10-29%20at%203.05.24%20PM.png?width=215&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-10-29%20at%203.05.24%20PM.png)   If you have to add in many recipients' first names, it is usually quicker to re-import your contact list using a CSV file that includes first name information.  ### Editing your email and adding tokens Start by selecting an Email This item from your selected channels. Click **Edit** in the upper right corner of the template.  ![Screen Shot 2020-10-29 at 3.16.57 PM](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-10-29%20at%203.16.57%20PM.png?width=196&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-10-29%20at%203.16.57%20PM.png)   In the email editor, hover over the body section. When it appears, click on the pencil to edit.  ![Screen Shot 2020-10-29 at 3.23.37 PM](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-10-29%20at%203.23.37%20PM.png?width=194&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-10-29%20at%203.23.37%20PM.png)   In the body of the email, **add a greeting** (with a comma or exclamation point). Place your cursor before the comma or explanation point, and click on the placeholder icon in your toolbar.  ![Screen Shot 2020-10-29 at 3.30.11 PM](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-10-29%20at%203.30.11%20PM.png?width=473&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-10-29%20at%203.30.11%20PM.png) ![Screen Shot 2020-10-29 at 3.31.16 PM](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-10-29%20at%203.31.16%20PM.png?width=99&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-10-29%20at%203.31.16%20PM.png)   Pick your placeholder token from the drop-down list, and click OK.  ![Screen Shot 2020-10-29 at 3.33.50 PM](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-10-29%20at%203.33.50%20PM.png?width=348&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-10-29%20at%203.33.50%20PM.png)   Your token is now placed in the body of the email. Make any other desired changes before **clicking Save** and then **Done** to exit the editor.  ![Screen Shot 2020-10-29 at 3.35.16 PM](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-10-29%20at%203.35.16%20PM.png?width=245&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-10-29%20at%203.35.16%20PM.png)   It's important to [send a test email to yourself](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/creating-a-test-email-list?hsLang=en) (and a colleague) before sending to your entire list!                - [Getting Started](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Featured](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#featured) - [Account Management](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#account-management) - [Channels and Content](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/getting-started?hsLang=en#channels-and-content) - [Webinar Series and Quick Tip Videos](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/webinar-series-and-quick-tip-videos?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started Videos](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/webinar-series-and-quick-tip-videos?hsLang=en#getting-started-videos) - [Quick Tip Videos](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/webinar-series-and-quick-tip-videos?hsLang=en#quick-tip-videos) - [powered by PartnerOn](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/webinar-series-and-quick-tip-videos?hsLang=en#powered-by-partneron) - [Paths to Success](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/webinar-series-and-quick-tip-videos?hsLang=en#paths-to-success) - [Sharing to Social Media](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sharing-to-social-media?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Social Media How-Tos](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sharing-to-social-media?hsLang=en#social-media-how-tos) - [Social Media FAQs](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sharing-to-social-media?hsLang=en#social-media-faqs) - [Sharing to your Blog or Website](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sharing-to-your-blog-or-website?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Microsite](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sharing-to-your-blog-or-website?hsLang=en#microsite) - [WordPress](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sharing-to-your-blog-or-website?hsLang=en#wordpress) - [Sending Emails](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sending-emails?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Getting Started with Email](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sending-emails?hsLang=en#getting-started-with-email) - [Email Network Connections](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sending-emails?hsLang=en#email-network-connections) - [Customizing your Emails](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sending-emails?hsLang=en#customizing-your-emails) - [Email FAQs and Troubleshooting](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sending-emails?hsLang=en#email-faqs-and-troubleshooting) - [Lead Management and Promotions](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/lead-management-and-promotions?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Manage Leads and Opportunities](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/lead-management-and-promotions?hsLang=en#manage-leads-and-opportunities) - [CRM Integrations](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/lead-management-and-promotions?hsLang=en#crm-integrations) - [Gated Content and Promotions](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/lead-management-and-promotions?hsLang=en#gated-content-and-promotions) - [Buy Signal](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/lead-management-and-promotions?hsLang=en#buy-signal) - [Leads and Purchase Intent](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/leads-and-purchase-intent?hsLang=en) - [Contact Support](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/contact-support?hsLang=en) - [Sharing your Content](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sharing-your-content?hsLang=en#main-content) - [Social Media Tips](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/sharing-your-content?hsLang=en#social-media-tips) [![Chill listening crop-3](https://knowledge.contentmx.com/hs-fs/hubfs/contentmx_logo_transparent_trace-3.png?width=154&height=24&name=contentmx_logo_transparent_trace-3.png "Chill listening crop-3")](https://www.contentmx.com) Knowledge Base Copyright © 2026, Powered by ContentMX