> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://kero.chat/help/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Personalise messages with parameters

> Learn how to use parameters in Kero message templates to personalise Direct Messages and Campaigns with recipient-specific information.

Parameters allow you to personalise message templates with information that changes from one recipient to another.

Instead of creating a separate message for each customer, you can use placeholders for details such as names, appointment dates, order numbers or payment references.

When you send the message, Kero replaces these placeholders with the values you provide.

## How parameters work

A parameter is a named placeholder enclosed in double curly brackets.

For example:

`Hello {{first_name}}, your appointment is confirmed for {{appointment_date}}.`

The template contains two parameters:

* `{{first_name}}` — The recipient's first name.
* `{{appointment_date}}` — The date of their appointment.

When the parameters are populated, the recipient receives a personalised message, such as:

> Hello Alex, your appointment is confirmed for 25 November.

You can reuse the same template for multiple recipients while changing the information included in each message.

## Add parameters to a message template

**1. Open your message template**

Navigate to **Templates** in Kero.

Create a new template or open an existing template that you want to personalise.

**2. Add your parameters**

In the message content, add a named parameter wherever you want to include recipient-specific information.

For example:

`Hello {{first_name}}, your order {{order_number}} is ready for collection.`

Use descriptive parameter names so that you can easily identify the information required when sending.

**3. Configure your parameters**

Make sure the parameters are recognised and configured in your Kero template.

Each parameter must have a corresponding value when the message is prepared for sending.

**4. Save your template**

Review the message content and parameter names.

Save your template so that it can be reused when preparing Direct Messages or Campaigns.

## Use parameters in Direct Messages

When sending a Direct Message using a template that contains parameters, you can provide the appropriate values for the recipient.

For example, if your template contains:

`Hello {{first_name}}, your payment of {{amount}} has been received.`

You would provide values for:

* `first_name` — Alex
* `amount` — R450

Kero uses these values to personalise the message.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Check that all required parameter values are populated correctly before sending your message.

## Use parameters in Campaigns

Parameters are particularly useful when sending campaigns to multiple contacts.

Instead of entering individual values for each recipient, you can map template parameters to fields in your contact data.

For example:

| Template parameter | Contact field |
| - | - |
| `{{first_name}}` | First Name |
| `{{account_number}}` | Account Number |
| `{{amount_due}}` | Amount Due |

When the campaign is prepared, Kero uses the mapped contact information to personalise messages for individual recipients.

Kero can remember parameter mappings for subsequent sends, reducing the need to configure the same mappings repeatedly.

> [!TIP]
>
> Before sending a campaign, check that your contact data contains the information required by your parameters. Missing or incorrect values can result in incomplete or inaccurate personalisation.

## Parameters in WhatsApp templates

WhatsApp Business has additional requirements because message templates must be approved by Meta.

When creating a WhatsApp template in Kero, you can use named parameters such as `{{first_name}}`.

However, there is an important distinction between the parameters in your Meta-approved WhatsApp template and those configured in your Kero message template.

### Meta-approved WhatsApp template parameters

These are defined in the WhatsApp template submitted to Meta for approval.

They identify the parts of the message that can contain personalised information.

### Kero message template parameters

When creating a Kero message template using an approved WhatsApp template, you must also configure the corresponding parameters in the Kero template.

This allows Kero to recognise the parameters and make them available for mapping when preparing Direct Messages and Campaigns.

> [!WARNING]
>
> If you do not configure the required parameters in your Kero message template, Kero may use the sample values from the approved WhatsApp template instead of your intended personalised values.
>
> Always check your parameter configuration before sending.

## Tips for effective personalisation

* **Use descriptive names:** Choose parameter names that clearly identify the information they represent.
* **Keep your contact data accurate:** Check that the information used for personalisation is complete and up to date.
* **Check your mappings:** Make sure each parameter is linked to the correct contact field when preparing a campaign.
* **Test before sending:** Send a test message to confirm that parameters are replaced with the expected values.

## What happens if a parameter value is missing?

If a required parameter value is missing, the resulting message may not contain the intended personalised information.

Before sending, review your parameter values and campaign mappings to ensure that the correct information will be used.

> [!TIP]
>
> Use a small test audience before launching a large campaign. This helps you identify missing values or incorrect mappings before sending to all recipients.


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.