---
title: "Send a test email before you launch | FirstSales"
description: "Preview merge tags and send a real test email to yourself from a campaign template before going live."
canonical: "https://firstsales.io/tutorial/test-workflow-before-launch/"
---

[Home](/)/[Tutorials](/tutorial/)/Send a test email before you launch

Campaigns

# Send a test email before you launch

Preview merge tags and send a real test email to yourself from a campaign template before going live.

4 min read·Beginner·7 steps

1. 1  
## Test before you send to real prospects  
A test email shows you exactly what a prospect will receive, with merge tags filled in, before anything goes live to your list.
2. 2  
## Open your campaign's Email Template  
In a **Template-mode** campaign, open the **Email Template** config and edit or preview a template.
3. 3  
## Click Send Test  
Click **Send Test** to open the **Send Test Email** drawer.
4. 4  
## Pick a sender and confirm the recipient  
Choose a **Sender Account** \- only verified inboxes appear in this dropdown - and confirm the **Recipient Email**, which defaults to your own address.
5. 5  
## Choose a Contact Profile and review the preview  
Pick a **Contact Profile (for merge tags)** so tags render with real data, or leave **"No profile (fallbacks only)"** selected to check your fallback text. Review the live **Preview** of the subject and body before sending.  
![Choose a Contact Profile and review the preview](/tutorials/testworkflow-01-send-test-drawer.webp)
6. 6  
## Send and read it like a prospect would  
Click **Send Test**, then open the inbox you sent to and read the email as your prospect would. Fix anything off, and repeat.
7. 7  
## Also run Test Workflow before launch  
Separately, run **Test Workflow** from the main action button to validate node configuration and launch readiness. It's a different check - Test Workflow sends no email; only the Send Test Email drawer does.

## Pro tips

Hard-won shortcuts that keep warm-up on track.

1

### Send one test with a profile, one without

The one without proves your {{fallback}} values still read naturally when a merge tag has no data to fill in.

2

### Missing sender in the dropdown?

Only verified email connectors show up - verify or reconnect the mailbox first if yours isn't listed.

3

### Test from the sender you'll actually send from

Signatures and deliverability can differ per inbox, so testing from a different sender doesn't tell the full story.

4

### Check it on a phone too

A subject line that fits fine on desktop can truncate awkwardly on mobile - read the test email on both.

## Frequently asked questions

Does “Send Test” send a real email?

Yes - it's a live send via the sender account you choose, to the recipient you specify.

Where do I find it?

In the **Email Template** editor or the **Template Preview** drawer, click **Send Test**.

Why is my sender account not listed?

Only **verified** email connectors appear in the Sender Account dropdown.

What does “Contact Profile (for merge tags)” do?

It renders merge tags like `{{first_name}}` against a real contact in both the preview and the sent email.

What if I pick “No profile (fallbacks only)”?

Merge tags render using your fallback values instead, so you can proofread them directly.

Is “Send Test” the same as “Test Workflow”?

No. **Test Workflow** validates configuration and launch readiness and sends nothing; **Send Test** sends a real test email.

Does sending a test count against my sending limits or credits?

It's a one-off test send from your own inbox rather than a campaign send. Check the billing tutorials for current details on how test sends are counted.

## Ready to put this into practice?

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