The Importance of being Personal
The internet brings a great amount of anonymity, and can be very impersonal. Because of this, it is very important to learn how to make your business personal.
Before I continue, I think it is important to state that I am not the best in this area. I’ve actually gotten into trouble because of it too. You see, somewhere in the past I started writing “Hey” in my emails, and not someone’s name. It probably started out becaues I’d just email my friends a quick “Hey whats up” email.
Well now when responding to customers, in forums, etc, I’m still in the habbit of using “Hey” to start out my emails. Recently a customer pointed it out, and didn’t like that I didn’t use their name. I beleive it was the same day I read a post “Why not use a name?“.
Well I realized that I was being very impersonal with my correspondence, without even knowing it. No matter how many photos of yourself you put on your site, if you don’t email with a personal touch, then the site won’t have the personal touch feel.
Making your website a personal experience is key to making sales. Your users need to feel they trust you with their information, and that they really need what it is you are selling.
December 28th, 2005 at 8:44 pm
I have to agree. We often get in the habit of talking non-personal simply because we don’t SEE another person. It is good to be in the habit of speaking as professional as we can either in emails, websites, forums, or blog comments. Direct your comments and voice to someone.
The more a user trusts you the more likely they are to take your information at face value with no alterior motives.
Nice thought Tim.
ps. notice the personalization ;)
January 9th, 2006 at 9:55 am
Sounds more like the problem was that the message was informal. I am sure if you used something like “Dear Sir or Madam”, when you don’t know the person’s name, the person wouldn’t say anything. Although it is clearly best to use the persons name when you know it.