Don't Ever "Dear [First Name]" Your List Again

The golden age of basic email personalization is over.

Everyone knows emails are automated, and using salutations like "Dear [First Name]" is no longer charming or clever, it’s tired.

Worse, it’s wasting prime real estate: the first line of your email.

This line is critical because it’s what subscribers see in the inbox preview. It’s where you hook them, build intrigue, and set the stage for your story or offer. But when you lead with a clunky, impersonal salutation, you’re throwing away the opportunity to make an immediate connection.

Why Salutations Hurt Your Emails:

1. They’re Distracting: If the tech breaks (e.g., “Dear [FirstName]”), you look careless. Even when it works, it screams automation.

2. They Waste Real Estate: That first line is gold. Use it to create curiosity, not to pretend you’re penning a handwritten note.

3. They Feel Fake: Nobody believes you personally wrote an email to thousands of people. So why act like it?

Try This Instead:

Instead of wasting your opener on “Dear [First Name],” dive straight into context, curiosity, or value. Here’s how:

• Hook with a question: “What if I told you your first line is killing your open rate?”

• Tease the benefit: “Here’s how to turn your emails into profit machines.”

• Build immediate relevance: “Struggling with low click rates? Let’s fix that.”

Proof It Works:

In A/B tests, emails that skip salutations in favor of a punchy, engaging first line consistently outperform their “personalized” counterparts. Why? Because they respect the reader’s time and get straight to the point.

We’re not tricking anyone with “Dear [First Name]” anymore. Authenticity doesn’t come from a placeholder, it comes from delivering value and relevance right out of the gate.

Ready to ditch the fake “personalization” and start writing emails that actually connect? Let’s make it happen.