No, First name / friend, I don't want you to constantly refer to your email subscribers by their first name, First name / friend.
But I also don't want you to refer to your audience by a generic plural term, such as:
- “Hey, you guys”
- “Hey, y'all”
- “Hey, folks”
- “Hey, everyone”
- “Hey, all”
- “Hey, people”
- “Hey, friends”
Why? Because addressing your readers as a group reminds them they're in a group.
Your readers know that, of course. They're aware you aren't actually writing an email or Instagram post only to them.
But they don't want to be treated like a “subscriber” or “follower.” They want to be treated like a person.
Your reader isn't a number — they're a name. So address them as such.
Bottom line: Don't pluralize your audience.
With a wink,
Sarah 😘
