When using your auto responder the option of personalization is given. This allows you to include the choices of inserting a name or e-mail address within the subject or content of that e-mail.

Let us start by looking at this from a different perspective. When you receive a letter via regular post better known as snail mail and you see your name on the outside of the envelope, Do you get excited? Unless it’s a bill I am sure you do. Someone has taken the time to contact you personally. The difference with e-mail compared to regular postal mail is the volume that you may receive. When you open your email program or log in to your online account and may have thousands of e-mails staring you in the face.

Would you open each and everyone?

Chances are you cut the crap with lighting speed like a Sushi chef eliminating only the fat. Most people when dealing with a big lists and multiple email accounts will categorize all that data in order of importance. So if they spot an email with the subject “Hi first name” with no other comments and they do not really know that person, chances are it will become trash.

Now personalization in emails are nothing new as a matter of fact it is everywhere, but does it create attention?

You must first take a look at your auto responders e-mail list. Open your auto responder and look at the names that your contacts have submitted. If the vast majority of the names are garbage consisting of nonsense like abc or xxx another option you may consider could be putting their e-mail address in the subject line.

Personalization alone will not improve your open rate with email. The subject line is the first and maybe the only part of the e-mail they see. This is the deciding factor if it is opened or becomes deleted. Placing a name or e-mail address on the subject line will in most cases cast an eye or entice the viewer to follow up reading the rest of your subject line. This is where you need to become creative to stir an interest. A stop watch is ticking and you now have less than a millisecond to peak more excitement with your message. If you offer a solution or pose a question this may heighten the curiosity factor.

In this article I have outlined how personalization can help your open rate of your e-mail and what other options you have.

My Name is Mike Holthuysen - Internet Promotion Strategist. Using a vast variety of resources and tools let me share with you my experiences and knowledge with Online marketing.

Come visit me at: http://www.michaelholthuysen.com