5 Benefits of Using Personal Touch in Small Business Email (and tips!)

We live in a world where social media and instant messaging apps dominate the way we communicate. Whether it’s a quick inquiry to a stranger or a casual conversation with a potential customer, chatting and messaging provide immediate and direct responses, making communication easier.

However, as convenient as these platforms are, sending a personalized email that leaves a lasting impression on the customer can be a game-changer for your small business.

The expansion of email marketing, social media, and the internet, in general, has led to concerns that businesses may lose their ability to connect with customers on a personal level.

For small businesses, maintaining the personal touch that traditional brick-and-mortar stores enjoy is essential for fostering customer loyalty and goodwill.

Email is the primary method by which most online business owners communicate with their audience. However, like any other marketing method, failure to adapt to changing times and revise your strategy may result in staying behind, and not achieving the goals you have set.

Understanding the Importance of Personalized Emails

In the digital age, the value of personalization in digital marketing cannot be overstated. With competitors relying solely on technology and digital channels to acquire new clients, adding a personal touch can set your business apart from the rest.

This is especially important when aiming to establish meaningful connections that produce immediate results.

Failing to incorporate a personal touch in your digital strategy may lead to missed opportunities for engagement with potential customers. By crafting personalized emails, you go beyond using generic templates and instead make a genuine connection with your audience. It’s about providing more than just what they expect from you and truly getting to know each recipient personally.

Reasons to Add a Personal Touch to Your Email Marketing

In the realm of e-commerce, a generic approach to your audience is no longer effective.

Personalization is crucial for success, whether it’s the layout of collection pages or the marketing messages you convey. Without further ado, let’s explore the main reasons to implement a personal touch to your small business email marketing.

Create a Lasting Connection With Your Customers Adding a personal touch to your business creates a human element that customers can connect with on a deeper level. People tend to form stronger connections with individuals rather than faceless corporations, as we are wired to seek out personal relationships.

When customers associate a specific person with the company they are purchasing from, they are more likely to become loyal customers. This personal connection leaves a lasting impression, making it easier for customers to remember the person they interacted with rather than the company itself.

“When customers associate a specific person with the company they are purchasing from, they are more likely to become loyal customers.”

Increased Customer Loyalty Providing a personal touch in emails can foster customer loyalty. Although businesses may make mistakes from time to time, customers who have established deeper relationships with you through personal connections may be more willing to overlook minor errors.

With continued efforts to add personal touches to emails you send, you can develop stronger customer relationships that are resilient even when faced with challenges such as price increases and delivery interruptions.

Whereas non-connected customers may easily switch to another provider in such situations, those who have a genuine connection with you are more likely to give you the benefit of the doubt and allow you the opportunity to resolve any issues.

Stay Ahead of Your Competition Giving a personal touch to your email interactions can give you an advantage over your competitors. When faced with a competitive situation, reaching out on a personal level can help you seal the deal. This shows your genuine interest in working with the customer or prospect and your commitment to providing an excellent customer experience.

Making customers feel valued through personalization can serve as a crucial marketing strategy.

Build Trust Creating personal connections with customers helps to establish trust. When you take the time to build a relationship with a customer, and consistently deliver on your promises, that trust extends to your business as a whole.

This is especially crucial for big-ticket purchases, partnerships, andother high-stakes transactions, where trust is essential. Using personal touches in your emails and sales process can help prospects see you as a relatable and trustworthy individual, and by extension, trust your company.

Numbers Never Lie It’s becoming increasingly common for businesses to address customers by their first name in emails, and offer products or services based on their interests. The research done by Experian indicates that 79% of consumers are more likely to respond to a personalized offer, while 78% said that relevant content increases the likelihood of making a purchase.

Marketers have also reported success with personalization, with 88% seeing measurable improvements, and over 50% experiencing a revenue increase of more than 10% by incorporating personalization into their strategies.

Ways to Give a Personal Touch to Emails

Crafting a personalized experience for customers extends beyond just using their first name in an email. Here are some simple, and yet effective ways to give a personal touch to your small business emails.

Opt for a fitting subject line When sending business emails, choosing a fitting subject line is the most effective approach to getting noticed among numerous emails in the inbox. Instead of generic group names or company names, use the customer’s name to create a sense of familiarity.

Use Personal Pronouns Crafting en email that features personalized pronouns is an effective way to establish a connection with your customers.

Using words such as ‘I’, ‘us’, and ‘we’ helps in creating empathy and relating with the customer on a personal level. Writing in a conversational tone, posing questions, and addressing the customer by name or ‘you’, ‘yourself’ and similar words keep them engaged, and active in the communication rather than just being a passive recipient.

Encourage Customer Feedback by Asking for Their Opinion Include phrases like “We would love to hear from you” or “Let us know what you think” to make the customer feel valued and engaged. By inviting them to participate in the conversation, you increase the chances of receiving feedback and gaining insight into their needs and preferences.

The more you engage with customers, the more likely you are to build a loyal following who appreciates your efforts to connect with them.

Recommend services or features One way to add a personal touch to your email is to include recommendations. By analyzing the customer’s past purchases and activity history, you can suggest services or products that align with their interests and needs.

This not only helps to build a stronger relationship with the customer but also saves them time by providing them with options that they may not have considered before.

Send Voice Notes

When exchanging emails with your customers, you can add a personal touch to the emails by sending voice notes. For example, you can use vocal.email for the purpose, a handy tool that lets you record your voice and send audio messages in Gmail, Outlook, etc.

The recipient can listen to voice notes directly in their inbox, meaning no app is required. Voice notes can be deleted after sending, which gives you complete control. It’s a great way to add a personal touch to your email. In addition, it saves time!

Incorporate visuals and resources as needed Consider using personalized photos or videos to demonstrate to your client how much you care.

It’s all about going the extra mile. You can also provide additional brand resources via attachments or hyperlinks to engage the customer and encourage them to explore your brand further. However, avoid overloading the email with stock images. Consider a mix of personalized messaging and an HTML format for sending emails.

Add Personal Signature End your email with a personal signature to add a human touch. Instead of using a generic signoff from the company or department, sign your name to make the email more personable and friendly.

Express gratitude Express your gratitude to your readers for taking the time to read your email. You can show your appreciation in the middle of the email so that they know you value their attention, and you are not just asking for something.

Demonstrating to someone that you value their opinion is a great way to demonstrate your concern for their thoughts and feelings. This strategy can increase the number of people who read your email and improve your chances of receiving replies, which can be beneficial for businesses.

Wrapping It Up

Personalizing your small business email marketing can make a big difference in creating lasting connections with your customers, increasing loyalty, building trust, staying ahead of the competition, and driving revenue.

The benefits of adding a personal touch to emails are clear, as personalized emails generate higher response rates and improved customer engagement. It is vital to go beyond just using a customer’s name in the email and include personalized pronouns and phrases that encourage customer feedback. Remember, personalization is all about creating a genuine connection with your audience and making them feel valued.

By incorporating personalization into your email marketing strategy, you can differentiate yourself from your competitors, foster stronger customer relationships, and ultimately grow your business.