Using Personalization Variables

One of the most powerful features of Handwrite is personalization—the ability to include recipient-specific details in each handwritten card. A personalized message dramatically increases engagement and response rates.

What Are Personalization Variables?

Personalization variables are placeholders in your message template that get replaced with actual recipient data when each card is written. For example:

"Dear {FirstName}, thank you for your purchase!"

becomes:

"Dear Maria, thank you for your purchase!"

"Dear Thomas, thank you for your purchase!"

Each card is individually personalized while maintaining your core message.

Available Variables

When you enter recipients, you can include these standard fields:

| Variable | Description | Example | |----------|-------------|---------| | {FirstName} | Recipient's first name | Maria | | {LastName} | Recipient's last name | Schmidt | | {Name} | Full name | Maria Schmidt | | {City} | Recipient's city | München |

Custom Variables

Need additional personalization? You can add custom variable columns to your recipient data. Common examples include:

• {Company} — "Thank you for choosing ACME Corp..."
• {OrderNumber} — "Your order #12345 has shipped!"
• {Anniversary} — "Happy 5th anniversary with our service!"
• {ProductName} — "Enjoy your new Coffee Maker!"

Simply include the variable name as a column header in your recipient list.

Writing Effective Personalized Messages

✅ Do:

• Keep it natural — Write as you would speak
• Use first names — Creates immediate connection
• Reference specifics — Mention their city, purchase, or relationship
• Stay concise — Shorter messages feel more authentic

❌ Avoid:

• Over-personalizing — Too many variables can feel artificial
• Complex sentences — Keep grammar simple around variables
• Sensitive data — Never include passwords, account numbers, etc.

Example Templates

Thank You Note

"Dear {FirstName}, Thank you for your recent purchase! We truly appreciate your business and hope you love your new {ProductName}. Best wishes, The Team"

Holiday Greeting

"Liebe/r {FirstName}, wir wünschen dir und deiner Familie ein wunderschönes Weihnachtsfest! Herzliche Grüße aus {City}."

Business Follow-up

"Hi {FirstName}, It was great meeting you at the conference. Looking forward to exploring how we can work together. — {SenderName}"

Formality: Du vs. Sie

For German-language cards, you can choose between informal (Du) and formal (Sie) address. This affects greeting suggestions in our message editor. Select the appropriate option based on your relationship with recipients.

Need Help?

If you're unsure how to structure your personalized message, our support team is happy to review your template before you place your order.