Obviously the real power here lies in its chronological proximity (presuming you include it in your opt in message/autoresponder) and in its ability to indicate a more intimate relationship with the recipient than is conveyed by the banal “Dear James, [etc]” stuff.

Excellent tips, I enjoy reading your blog more than most. You have a lot of original content and 500% fewer entries quoting useless whitepapers containing surveys of other people who work ankle deep in the industry who themselves get most of their knowledge from useless whitepapers. Marketers are the absolute worst peer group in terms of producing quality content because they never stop marketing long enough to say something of substance without trying to turn it into a call to action, so thanks for being an exception and click here now as seen on TV!

Thanks!