Keep it Weird – Keep Emails & Social Media Human!

Ever sent marketing emails and thought “all I want is a human response?”  Tried to send social media marketing messages via a social network like Facebook and been sent into the dreaded DM black hole? Want to just have a conversation online that doesn’t feel like screaming into a void? Well, welcome to the internet and hello new friends– it looks like you’re in the right place.

Let’s get real here: getting someone’s attention and a human response these days is harder than ever, especially when you’re trying to do it through email marketing or social media campaigns. The truth is that I really dislike the way online communication is starting to sound like it’s been mass-produced and sent to thousands of random people each day. When you scroll your Twitter (okay, X) or Instagram or LinkedIn news feed, it can all start to blend together, right? One more person asking to be a connection, one more person trying to sell you something, one more person spamming…welcome to the world of online marketing!

Here’s what I’m getting at: there’s no reason to make email marketing feel robotic, canned, and inhumane, especially when you are trying to get a human response. In this guide, I’m going to share seven tips that will not only help you make sure that you can get a reply from your target contacts, but you’ll feel better knowing that it feels like a real human-to-human connection. Let’s dive in ⬇️

1. Ditch the Generic Email: Get Personal Fast

If you’re sending an email, stop starting it with “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern”. It’s 2025 and people can 100% tell if you took two minutes to Google someone and then paste their name into a template you found on the internet (then applied the most basic of personalization techniques.) I mean, if you didn’t even take the time to make it personal, why should they take the time to read, let alone reply?

Get personal, quick. Use their name. Reference a recent post they made or article they wrote or even a podcast episode they were in. (Yes – it takes time. I get it). Mention a shared connection or interest – anything that shows you’re actually paying attention. Even something as basic as “Hey Mel, I loved your recent article on how to master keywords for search engine optimization” will work.

Remember, people are drawn to people who pay attention to them. You’ll get a response.

2. Lead with a Purpose > Not Just a Hello

Ever opened an email or an Instagram DM and immediately thought, “Okay… but what do you want from me”? If so, chances are that this is what someone felt when you sent it. Before you send, get super clear on your purpose – and do it quickly. Do you want advice? A collab? Just 15 minutes of their time? Let them know. Explain why it’s relevant to them, too. (In fact, throw in a keyword that helps you reach your goal that will also stand out to the reader).

Clarity = someone being able to say YES (or no) quickly and easily. No wondering. No confusion, just straightforward, direct, and respectful communication. (Tip: Be respectful of people’s time, because time is money.)

3. Let Your Personality Shine Through

Being professional doesn’t mean your email or social outreach needs to be boring. No one wants boring. However, being overly chatty and informal can backfire as well. Lines are blurred in the world of internet writing – so blurred. In fact, if your outreach message sounds like it’s been generated by a bot, it’s less likely to receive a response.

Don’t be afraid to be you. Add a bit of personality to your writing. A dash of humor, a wink at the end – even matching their tone if they use emojis online, for example. A little vibe can go a long way.

If someone responds to you and your opening line is so sterile and sterile that it feels more like a customer service bot than a person, you’re not going to get anywhere.

4. Give Before You Ask for Anything

You’ll be fine if you use this in every aspect of life online: Always lead with value.

It’s a simple concept that’s really all you need to remember. Before you ask for something, give something. Doesn’t matter how big or small – just do it. Maybe you send them a complimentary comment on a recent article or post, link to a resource you know they’d love, or offer to make a quick mention on your social platform.

The point is, you’re making it clear that you aren’t just there to take, take, take. Even if they don’t get around to replying for a few weeks, at least they’ll remember that you made a positive impact on their day. That’s what real trust and real relationships are built on.

5. Email or Post When They’re Most Likely to Be Read

Timing is everything with outreach and social media posting. Even the best email or DM in the world won’t get a response if it lands in their inbox in the middle of a crazy busy week at 1 a.m. in the morning.

Try to aim to send communications in windows when people have a few spare moments to sit down and read and respond to your messages. With email, this is often mid-morning or mid-afternoon. With DMs on social, evenings and weekends are usually better for visibility.

Not around at the right time? No problem. Schedule your posts using an app like MailChimp or Constant Contact and let it auto-send later. Your response rates will thank you.

6. Follow Up Without Feeling Like a Nudge

You sent a message. But it’s been two days. Should you follow up? When should you follow up? Here’s the thing: it’s always better to ask for forgiveness than permission. Wait 3–5 business days and shoot a friendly reminder that they saw your note (or a variation on it if you’re reaching out to multiple people). Keep it light, keep it friendly, keep it respectful.

Use something like “Hey! Just wanted to bump this to the top of your stack in case it got lost in the shuffle. No pressure.”

Persistence is key, but so is being pushy. A friendly nudge isn’t guilt-tripping, it’s reminding someone that you respect their time, and you’re not going to stop asking until you have an answer.

7. Don’t Just Connect – Stick Around and Show Up

Getting a reply is amazing, of course it is. But don’t treat each new connection like a one-and-done.

Stick around and be present and consistently show up in comment sections, group chats, and social posts. Respond to their content over time and actually engage.

The more your name shows up regularly (in a non-spammy way, I mean) the more people feel like they “know” you and, remember: people always respond to people they know.

Is Keeping Email & Social Strategies Human Really That Weird?

Hey, you never know. Building real connections online isn’t impossible, but it does take patience. It’s not rocket science, it doesn’t require fancy tools, and it doesn’t take influencer status to do it. You just have to go into each interaction with a commitment to being clear, kind and (the hardest part) real.

Tips for Successful Email and Social Media Relationship Strategies:

• Get personal, fast – ditch the generic email intros.
• Get clear on why you’re reaching out.
• Don’t be afraid to show a bit of personality in your emails – let them see the real you.
• Lead with value – always. Add before you ask for anything.
• Timing is key. Send when people are most likely to actually see your email/DM.
• Don’t be afraid to follow up. Just be respectful, and it’s fine to nudge.
• Be consistent and stick around – it’s the only way real relationships are formed.

The world of the internet and social media is so very loud that real connections are even more noticeable now. Next time you send an email or hit that DM send button – just take a second. Pause. And ask yourself, do I sound like a real person? Because if you do, they’ll respond to you like one too.

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