I really like seeing my name after "PAY TO THE ORDER OF:".  It's a favorite direct mail trick to get our attention from Banks to entice us into a conslidation loan. So why not adapt it for email:

Here's a Mens Specialty Store in Indianapolis that sent out a check for $150 to a list of customer who hadn't been in for over a year. The email (click here to view), mail merged the name in the print version as well.  The call to action for brick and mortar retailers has to be a store visit.  I'll be interested to see the results on this one as the target was the customer who hadn't shopped with them.  Will this email get them in?  Stay tuned.

Here's one we did for a Chicago Area Specialty Brick and Mortar Retailer that sells Biking and running gear.

Not a big classification when winter is breaking so they offered 15% off for 4 days.  Here's the email.

They made it an "E-Only" coupon to thank their regular customers.

Personalization is a great tool for Email Marketing for Small Business.  The business who has the persoanl relationship with its customers should take advantage of that relationship and reenforce it whenever possible.

The appeal here is that they're going after their most frequesnt, loyal customers.  If it's there is truth to the "80-20 Rule" this should support it.

Stay tuned and I'll post the results.