An email marketer called me up today to let me know he was testing "from" lines and since I'd written a blog about it (see below) he wanted to let me know how it worked out.

He tested a male name, a female name, and the term "customer service" to a 100% opt-in house list of mostly IT pros. Turns out all three "froms" did about equally well. But it made me think of two things. One was that he should test sending from his brand name instead of a personal name, and see if that improves response. (He says he'll do that and get back to me). The second, was I wonder if female "from" names will start underperforming soon.

It's not that I'm sexist, it's that the VAAAAAAST majority of yucky porn-related spam I receive in various email boxes all comes from female names. Often, these days the subject lines are fairly innocuous. The spammers are hoping I'll click thinking that I know this person. So, nowadays I view email from female names I don't know more and more suspiciously. Anyway, it's a theory.

If you've also tested "from" lines, email me at AHolland@MarketingSherpa.com with your results and let me know if I should keep them anonymous or not. Thanks!