This spreadsheet will be the place where you store your contact list. You will also be able to track your campaign metrics from there. It's possible to start from a new spreadsheet or use one that you already have.
Let's see how to create a mailing list like this one:
Name your columns by adding text on the first row of your spreadsheet.
Each column represents a piece of information about your contacts. In this simple example, we have added 4 columns: firstname, email, company, postscriptum.
The data in these columns can then be used as personalized variables in your email. It means that you can write your email once and it will automatically transform to a personal copy that is unique to each of your recipient.
You can add as many columns as you want and pick any column header name you want. The only thing that matters is that you make sure these headers are placed on the first row. The 1st row (number 1) shouldn't be empty otherwise your mail merge won't work.
3) Fill your spreadsheet with your contacts info
Fill your spreadsheet with all the information needed. Ensure all emails cells are filled with valid emails addresses.
Add your contacts information to the spreadsheet
It's possible to import an existing contact list (Excel file or CSV) by going selecting File > Import in the menu bar.
Apart from the email column, you can leave some cells blank, that's fine! In the example above, some recipients will get a Post Scriptum whereas others won't receive one.
4) Open Mailmeteor
Once your contact list is ready, open Mailmeteor.
In the menu at the top, go to Extensions > Mailmeteor > Open Mailmeteor
Open Mailmeteor add-on for Google Sheets
5) Create a new email template
Now that your contact list is ready, you have to create the email template that will serve as the basis for the mail merge sent with Mailmeteor.
In Mailmeteor and click on "Create a new template".
Create a new template in Mailmeteor
6) Compose your email
The Mailmeteor editor works exactly the same as Gmail. You can apply formatting, insert links, make lists and so on. Compose your email like you would do in Gmail or copy paste it directly inside the editor. Add a subject line and content for your email. Format it the way you want.
Compose your email in Mailmeteor
In case you'd like to add your signature, you just have to paste it at the bottom of each of your template. If your signature contains images, make sure to read our guide on how to insert images. Test your email before sending the campaign to make sur everything looks good!
Mailmeteor will pull the information from your spreadsheet using personalized variables (also named personalized tags).
You can insert personalized variables easily by using the "Insert variables" dropdown menu. That's why we named the column previously in step 2. Alternatively, you can type your variables as follows: {{ firstname }} (that is the name of the column inside double curly brackets)
Personalize your emails by inserting variables
You can personalize every part of the email, from subject to content. The only limit is your imagination! Each personalized tags in emails will be replaced by your spreadsheet data on sending. Like magic.
When everything looks nice, click on "Save template" at the bottom right of the window.
The personalized tags have to match exactly the headers of your spreadsheet, including upper/lower cases. If there's a mismatch, the variable will be left blank inside the final email copy.
8) Pick a sender name
Back in the main menu, fill the "Sender name" field with your name. This will be the name that your recipients will see when they will receive your email.
Pick a sender name
Going further
It's possible to send emails from another email account that you own. For example, if you have an Outlook account that you want to send emails from, you can use the Alias feature.
9) Preview emails
To preview your emails, click on "Preview emails".
Mailmeteor lets you preview emails for each recipient before actually sending them. The preview helps you ensure everything is in order. No need to worry about mail merge issues anymore!
Previewing emails in Mailmeteor
As you can see, variables are replaced by the correct information from the spreadsheet
If your personalized variables don't work properly, it means the corresponding cell in your spreadsheet is blank or malformatted. Have a look at our dedicated article to troubleshoot any issues you may have with variables.
10) Send emails
Ready to take off? Click on "Send emails" to launch your campaign.
Sending may takes from a few seconds to several minutes depending on your spreadsheet size. We recommend you to send emails progressively using our Autopilot feature or by Scheduling your campaign. Once the emails will be sent, you can track emails in real-time with the tracking report to know who opened or clicked your emails for example.
Check your campaign progress from the Mailmeteor Dashboard. You can cancel your campaign if you need to stop sending emails from the Dashboard.
Sending your emails
Welcome aboard Mailmeteor 🌠
You're now all set to send email campaigns with Mailmeteor. Congratulations!
Going further
Become a pro at emailing
Mailmeteor offers a lot of advanced features. To browse all the possibilities offered by Mailmeteor, visit the section below.
Before sending large email campaigns, we strongly recommend that you take some time to read our Sending guidelines. By following a few simple rules, you will be safe sending mass personalized emails from Gmail.
Thanks for using Mailmeteor! If you want to learn more about the benefits of the full premium version, read our article about Upgrading to Mailmeteor Premium.