1. Knowledge Base
  2. Pitching in Outlook

How to Send a Mail Merge in Outlook

 

When you need to send a single email to a large group without revealing the other recipients, Mail Merge is your go-to tool. This feature allows you to personalize your message for each contact while keeping their information private.

What is Mail Merge?

Mail Merge lets you send a single email to multiple recipients, with each one receiving a unique version that’s tailored just for them. Instead of manually personalizing each email, you use placeholders for details like the recipient's name or media outlet. When you hit send, these placeholders are automatically filled in for each contact, ensuring a personal touch without the hassle.

How to Send a Mail Merge with Propel (Outlook)

Propel simplifies the process, allowing you to quickly reach a large media list with a personalized message. Here's how to do it:

  1. Open a New Email in Outlook: Start by creating a new email in Outlook as you normally would.

    mail merge outlook SS_1

  2. Select Your Pitching Initiative: Just like when sending a single pitch, link your email to the relevant Pitching Initiative in Propel. This connects your email to your project, ensuring it’s properly tracked.

    mail merge outlook SS_2

  3. Choose Your Recipients: Click on This Media List in the sidebar to view your pitching list from the Propel web application.

    mail merge outlook SS_3

    On the media list screen, you can:
    1. Search for specific contacts.  
    2. Filter by tags or other criteria.  
    3. View details such as the last contact date and whether a contact has already been pitched for this campaign. You can also see their open and response rates and any notes attached to the contact.  
    4. Select one or multiple contacts for your email. If you want to pitch the entire list, simply use the Select All button. Once your selection is made, click the "Select" button in the bottom left corner to add these contacts to your email.

      mail merge outlook SS_4
  4. Compose Your Email: Write your email just as you would for a single recipient, but instead of manually entering personal details, use the Insert Placeholder button. Add variables like the recipient’s name, media outlet, or any other personalized detail. These placeholders will be automatically replaced with each recipient’s specific information when the email is sent.

    mail merge outlook SS_5

  5. Send Your Mail Merge: Click the Send button under the Mail Merge option. Propel will ensure that each contact receives their personalized email. Each sent email will be tracked individually, making follow-up easy and organized.

    mail merge outlook SS_6

With Mail Merge, you can effectively reach a large number of contacts while keeping each email personal and ensuring recipients don’t see the other names on your list. This is a great way to maintain professionalism and privacy, especially when working with extensive media lists.