Original ways to personalise an email

I often see the debate of whether or not to personalise a sales or marketing email. Do you risk offending someone by calling them by their first name, or do you risk offending the by looking as though you don't know who you're talking to. Obviously this could go either way depending on who you're talking to but for me, there is no way in the world I'd ever send a blanket email addressed to dear sir/madam or dear customer. No way!
But recently, I've been looking at some unique and original, and indeed more subtle ways to show my clients that I know them, and I know them well. I haven't put any of these into play yet because my system's just aren't sophisticated enough at the moment. But they will be and I think that some of these are real winners.


Happy Anniversary.
Acknowledging that it's been a month, six months or a year since your customer signed up with you is a great way to show that you're paying attention, but more importantly that you care enough to acknowledge it. It's the equivalent of saying Happy 'buying' Birthday and who doesn't love to know you've remembered a special date! I am definitely going to use this one in the future and it's real easy to follow it up with an offer of a buy one get one free or a discount code if they use today on their anniversary with you. Good one!


Top customer.
I really like this - telling someone that they're your best customer, you appreciate their loyalty or that you've noticed how much they use your product is a great way to make them feel good. Following it up with a reward (as above - discount code or free item) is an awesome way to make them want to stay at the top of your ratings.


Send suggestions.
For those of you with a shopping cart, if someone gives you their email address but doesn't end up making a sale - emailing them with a list of similar products to those that they've been searching for is a sure fire way to make them feel special. Whatever you put in their email will obviously be of interest to them and while it might not make a sale, it'll show them how ,much you care and I'm willing to bet it'll put you at the top of their mind next time they're looking for something similar.


Happy Birthday!
Emailing someone on your mailing list on their birthday is a great way to make them feel special. You're already catching them on a good day as they're in a good mood from all the well wishes and gifts that they've received so it's a perfect opportunity to sneak a sales pitch in their too. Perfect timing for a birthday gift or discount code and will make them feel really special which is of course key to getting someone to part with their money.


Just a few little ways to make your audience feel loved! What do you do?