| When you are so engulfed in mailing lists, target | | | | personalization is achieved by conversing with |
| audiences, segments and various other aspects of | | | | consumers, not talking to them. |
| email marketing, it is very difficult to remember that | | | | 3. Showcase User-Generated Content |
| the connections on the other side of the that | | | | Using email as a medium that makes it convenient for |
| address are indeed real people. However, this is | | | | subscribers to share their experiences and provide |
| something you always need to keep in mind because | | | | content is another effective way to enhance your |
| the moment you forget, is the moment your | | | | personalization efforts. Whether it is customer |
| campaigns become impersonal and ineffective. Putting | | | | testimonials, survey results, or a helpful tip posted on |
| an emphasis on personalization will enable you to stay | | | | your blog, putting the spotlight on user-generated |
| on track, but a sound strategy goes much deeper | | | | content can provide a very positive boost for your |
| than addressing recipients by their first name. | | | | business. Consumers love to see interaction from real |
| Following are five other ways email marketers can | | | | people and showcasing it often results in |
| utilize personalization effectively. | | | | personalization at its best. |
| 1. Reference the Relationship | | | | 4. Include a Personalized Email Signature |
| The easiest way to add a touch of personalization to | | | | The email signature is one of the best places to |
| your email campaigns is to include the recipients name | | | | promote your website, blog or social networks. This |
| in the subject line. Unfortunately, this is a technique | | | | element is so effective because every subscriber |
| that could also backfire due to the fact that it is a | | | | that receives your message will potentially see it. |
| method frequently employed by spammers. Even | | | | There are a number of tools that make it simple to |
| greeting the subscriber by name in the actual | | | | customize your signature, allowing you to include |
| message is no longer as effective as in past times. | | | | graphics, links, RSS feeds and other features without |
| Instead of relying on outdated techniques, how | | | | causing your message to come off as annoying or |
| about making references to the relationship you have | | | | obstructing. WiseStamp is one of many tools that |
| with your audience? For example, you could make | | | | lets you put a personal stamp on every email you |
| reference to a specific item a customer recently | | | | send out. |
| purchased, or simply send along a personalized | | | | 5. Take Advantage of Your Brands Personality |
| message thanking them for supporting your business | | | | Is your brand represented by a unique logo, catchy |
| over the past five years. | | | | slogan, or spokesperson that speaks to its |
| 2. Converse with Your Audience | | | | personality? If so, these elements need to be |
| You can make your email marketing campaigns more | | | | implemented into your marketing message to |
| personal by simply speaking to your audience in a | | | | increase personalization. Keebler cookies, Geico |
| conversational tone, rather than speaking in a | | | | insurance, and many celebrity endorsed products |
| language that only the people in your industry | | | | have garnered massive success by leveraging brand |
| understand. Speak to your audience in terms that not | | | | personality. This is something that cannot only prove |
| only personalize, but humanize the conversation. More | | | | effective for your email campaigns, but your overall |
| importantly, provide a way for them to communicate | | | | marketing efforts as well. |
| with you and have their say. Always remember that | | | | |