salutation, but no default or space between "Hello" & comma | Community
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A
Anonymous
March 25, 2016
Solved

salutation, but no default or space between "Hello" & comma

  • March 25, 2016
  • 2 replies
  • 3423 views

I wonder if somebody has found a good solution to this problem:

When I start an email with something like:

Hello {{lead.First Name:default=Sir/Ma'am}},

Often my database might not have a name in this field, or in the last name. Instinctively, the answer is "use the default".

But what if I don't want to. Sir/madam is too formal. I'd really like to just have the result be: Hello,

But that's not what I get. I get a space between "Hello" and the comma: "Hello ,"

This may not seem like a big thing, but My proofreader would disagree. So, has anybody found a solution for having no default, but also hiding the space between hello and the comma?

Thanks!

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Best answer by Grégoire_Miche2

HI Charles,

We are using a formula field for this. We name it "email salutation". And using choices in the rule, we define exactly what it will return :

Dear Sarah

Dear Friend

Dear Madam

Dear Sir

The email then contains

{{lead.email salutation}},

Go to admin -> field management, create a new field, type formula. Once it's created you will be able to se the rules.

If you want  something event more sophisticated,  (for European countries) use string fields instead of formula fields and smart campaigns to set it up, since you will be able to use multiple-filter smart lists to set your choices. This is the solution I prefer.

-Greg

2 replies

A
Anonymous
June 13, 2016

Hey Charles,

I'm not sure if you ever found a solution to your problem, but as Justin stated above, using a velocity script token would be the best bet. There's a really good article from an automation consultant that you can find here: jennamolby.com/velocity-scripting-in-marketo-examples/

Cheers,

Danny T.

    Grégoire_Miche2
    Grégoire_Miche2Accepted solution
    New Participant
    March 25, 2016

    HI Charles,

    We are using a formula field for this. We name it "email salutation". And using choices in the rule, we define exactly what it will return :

    Dear Sarah

    Dear Friend

    Dear Madam

    Dear Sir

    The email then contains

    {{lead.email salutation}},

    Go to admin -> field management, create a new field, type formula. Once it's created you will be able to se the rules.

    If you want  something event more sophisticated,  (for European countries) use string fields instead of formula fields and smart campaigns to set it up, since you will be able to use multiple-filter smart lists to set your choices. This is the solution I prefer.

    -Greg

      Justin_Cooperm2
      Justin_Cooperm2
      New Participant
      March 25, 2016

      I recommend Email Script over a formula field, as you'll see better performance of email sends at scale than a formula field. Alternatively, you can just create a salutation string field and keep it routinely updated whenever first or last name changes.

      A
      Anonymous
      March 25, 2016

      Thank you! I'll give these solutions a try!

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