I realize that people could argue they don’t have the time to find out the name of an email recipient and thus are just going to blast out to some list instead, but let me tell you firsthand what a difference it makes when someone starts a message off by writing my name instead of just Dear Now Hear This (or “Hey team,” which is annoying).
Of course, that one step isn’t going to be the difference maker in you getting the opportunity you’re writing for, but it sure is a good start. Here’s why that’s the case.
Someone was putting on a performance and was messaging me and as I got the details that I needed to attend, I said that my wife and I would be looking forward to attending. The response included “I’ll look forward to meeting her.” It left me in a position to have to write back and say, “You actually met her before at (event).”
If you’re not keeping track of who you met where and when, it’s going to make you look as though the other person isn’t important (enough) to you.
Someone that has hired me to do a few things for them sent out a blast recently and when I saw, “Hi Bruce Wawrzyniak, (that person’s name) is…” and the call-to-action, I was disappointed to not get something personalized to me specifically from that sender.
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And yes, by all means, I practice what I preach.
I have been sending out a client’s new song to radio recently and very much go out of my way to use the name of the person I’m pitching – even though I don’t know them! It has a nice personal feel to it when they write me back – as though we do already know each other. You have to wonder if I’d have even gotten a response (never mind the placements) had I simply started my email with, say, “Dear Music Director,” for example.
Similarly, an author client of mine just released his newest book. As I contacted newspapers around the country to give them the press release and aim for a review, I was specifically looking for the book editor (and his/her name and email address). In other words, I was giving us the best possible chance to succeed, rather than just sending it to a newsroom@xxxx.com address.
If there’s someone you’re contacting and a chance exists of “Who is this again,” there’s no harm in leading with, “I don’t know if you remember me, but,” and then explain when, where, why, and how you met. (“We were both at the music conference in Miami in January 2020 and John Doe introduced us to each other because he said that you and I both have worked with Mary Smith at ABC Recording Studios, and you told me about having just recorded your EP there.”) At worst, you’ll get a response back that says, “Of course I remember you!”
Put yourself in the best possible position to get a response and to succeed. And along the way, if you’re someone who’s bad at remembering names, this just might help you get better in that area as well. But you won’t know until you apply yourself. I can’t imagine that you’ll be disappointed with the results.
Let me know how it goes for you!
Get other tips and insights like this from me through a confidential, one-on-one, online video consultation and take advantage of my more than 18 years working with independent artists, authors, entrepreneurs, and creatives from around the U.S. Let’s have a private conversation to identify what areas you need help with so as to keep you moving forward with your career. Book a date and time with me today so you don’t have to face those challenges alone.