Every email marketing guru advises you to keep your emails personal.

What does being personal mean?

Here is a list to keep in mind:

• Use your name for the “From:” field.
• Know the name of the person and start with “Dear name” or “Hello name”.
• Use a conversational style – write in a manner you would talk to someone sitting across the table.
• Be specific in the message; this way the person knows that you’re specifically talking to him or her.
• Mention something familiar (but not intimate).
• Introduce yourself in the first line without sounding salesy.
• Inform the person why you are writing.
• If possible, inform the person why you are writing to him or her, especially.
• Avoid using long sentences.
• If it is a compound or complex sentence, keep just one sentence in a paragraph.
• You can have 2-3 simple sentences in a paragraph.
• Be genuine and come to the point as fast as possible.
• Remember that your language represents your business, and more importantly, you.

How to keep your email message professional at the same time?

There is no need to do something extra. Professional writing doesn’t mean writing highfalutin sentences or injecting jargon in every expression.

Being professional simply means sticking to the business. No need to bring up intimate knowledge even if you possess it.

Be culturally sensitive. Remain as gender neutral as possible. Don’t use words and expressions that you wouldn’t use when talking to your child or someone you care for.