I just made up a word.
Personalitization.
It's much more important than personalization....which can be faked. (Do you really think people fall for those "handwritten" fonts?)
Personalitization is the sense that the message you're sending is coming from a REAL person...talking to another REAL person. One person at a time.
It's not about using someone's name throughout your message. Think about it...that's not the way we talk to our real friends. When was the last time you called your best friend by their name?
It's about learning to write more conversationally...and letting your peronsality come through in your writing so people feel like they are getting to KNOW you and LIKE you.
It's in you. You just need to get past that ghost of your 10th grade english teacher looking over your shoulder every time you sit down to write something...and let your personality out.
It takes practice, but I'll help. Post up your next bonding message in the Dashboard Light, and I'll help you PERSONALITIZE it.