Importing Existing Outbound Emails into Real-Time in Dynamics 365 Customer Insights - Journeys

 

Email campaigns often hold valuable insights and proven engagement strategies. Bringing those into a newer, more intelligent system shouldn't mean starting from scratch. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Customer Insights – Journeys now allows marketers to import existing outbound emails into real-time experiences with ease, helping teams preserve past efforts while aligning with current strategies. 

Why This Matters 

Switching to real-time journeys within Dynamics 365 Customer Insights allows for better timing, smarter segmentation, and richer personalization. However, many marketing teams still rely on outbound emails built over time using classic experiences. Manually recreating those assets can be tedious and prone to inconsistencies. 

That’s where this new import functionality comes in—giving teams the option to carry over tested content, visuals, and layouts into the modern interface, all without extra overhead. 

How It Works 

Microsoft has introduced a direct option to convert outbound emails into real-time marketing-ready versions. Marketers can now: 

• Select outbound emails created using the classic marketing module 

• Import and convert them into real-time email assets within Customer Insights – Journeys 

• Preserve branding, layout, and text elements 

• Adjust as needed for real-time-specific enhancements like triggers and personalized tokens 

This transition doesn’t just copy the old into the new—it makes optimization easier and much faster. 

Key Benefits 

• Save Time: Skip manual re-creation of emails 

• Maintain Consistency: Keep approved designs and messages intact 

• Upgrade Flexibly: Add dynamic content blocks, triggers, and personalization post-import 

• Improve Engagement: Real-time emails help reach customers at the best possible moment 

No Need to Start Over 

Marketing teams often hesitate to migrate to a newer interface due to fears of losing older, approved campaigns. With this upgrade, that concern is addressed. You can bring over everything that worked and simply build upon it. 

A Closer Look 

To use this feature, follow these simple steps: 

1. Go to the Real-time Marketing area of Dynamics 365 Customer Insights. 

2. Open the email designer and choose the import option. 

3. Select the outbound email you want to convert. 

4. Review and refine the layout and content for real-time use. 

5. Save and publish when ready. 

No coding or rework needed—just smart reuse of what already exists. 

Real-World Use Case 

Let’s say your team ran a successful product launch campaign last quarter using outbound emails. Now, with a similar product coming up, you'd rather not redo everything. This import tool lets you re-use those winning templates, update a few details, and plug them into a real-time customer journey—saving both time and energy. 

Why Businesses Should Act Now 

Delaying the transition to real-time can cost engagement and revenue. Customers expect timely, relevant content. This import feature removes one of the biggest barriers to adoption—rebuilding assets. 

What’s Next After Importing? 

Once you’ve brought your emails into real-time, here are a few things to consider: 

• Add event-based triggers like form submissions or purchase events 

• Use A/B testing to improve open rates 

• Apply dynamic content blocks to personalize at scale 

• Use customer segments based on behavior for sharper targeting 

A Step Towards Smarter Marketing 

Real-time marketing isn’t just a trend. It’s fast becoming essential. With Microsoft making it easier to bring your past efforts along, there’s less reason to wait. 

VBeyond Digital’s Perspective 

VBeyond Digital helps businesses maximize their Dynamics 365 investments by offering hands-on guidance, integrations, and support that ensure better marketing outcomes. With deep CRM and MarTech expertise, they enable organizations to act quickly, smartly, and confidently. 

To learn more about this feature, check out this detailed guide from VBeyond Digital. 

 

Conclusion 

Bringing existing outbound emails into Dynamics 365 Customer Insights – Journeys is no longer a hassle. With Microsoft’s latest update, teams can migrate their proven assets seamlessly and start using them in real-time scenarios. It’s all about making smart transitions without losing momentum. 

 

FAQs 

Q1. Do I need a developer to import outbound emails into real-time? 
No, the import process is available through the user interface and is designed for marketers without needing technical support. 

Q2. Can I edit imported emails in the new designer? 
Yes, once imported, you can make changes using the real-time email editor. 

Q3. Will all my formatting and images be retained? 
Most content elements are retained, though it's good practice to double-check images and layout for mobile responsiveness. 

Q4. Is this feature available for all Dynamics 365 users? 
It’s available for users with access to the Customer Insights – Journeys module, depending on your license. 

Q5. How does real-time email improve campaign results? 
It allows you to trigger emails based on customer actions instantly, leading to higher relevance and engagement.