A personal message to you… really?
No less than 4-5 times a week I receive an email from someone and within the subject I see “(Personal)”. This used to mean something to me when I saw it.
It used to mean that the email author took the time to personally write me an email outside of their normal email blasts.
It used to mean that they actually mentioned something personal about me, how they knew me, how we connected and what they want to do for me and have me do for them.
It used to be something I could trust and I was actually excited about receiving, especially when it was from a big name in the industry or that I wouldn’t normally hear from.
Now what it means is that I first think this is another trick to get me to open their email selling me something, or that it is a broadcast email thinly disguised as a personal email.
Internet Marketers are lazy as it is, but now they are getting really lazy, making mistakes and those that really care are suffering.
What personal means to me..
I’m guilty of using “(Personal)” in an email subject. However, I only use it in these 2 ways.
Personal Use #1: When I send an email to someone that receives tons of emails and I really want to capture their attention and the email is specific and personal to them and only them. But I don’t just stop at using “(Personal”) and some generic subject. I follow it up with something that wouldn’t be in a broadcast message. Something that really is personal to them, that will catch their eye and that will trigger a memory.
Personal Use #2: I’ve only used this once, and really hesitated doing it at all. However, when I sent an email to my subscribers about something that was personally going on in my life, that I wanted to share with them.
It’s about building trust and connecting
I recently read an article about Internet Marketing and Jason Moffatt was interviewed. Jason made a statement that is missed by so many people trying to get started in Internet Marketing. It’s about building trust. You have to connect with your subscriber and your customer.
People are willing to buy items and take advice from people that they trust, that are transparent and share openly and willingly. Being deceptive is never an option.
What does it do to your level of trust when you receive an email with a subject of ”Personal” and it’s an obvious broadcast email? That trust factor just got ratcheted back a bit, if not completely removed.
Let’s hear from you..
Tired of seeing this so called personal emails? What emails get your attention first and which are the first to hit the trash folder?
