Are you talking to robots or real people?

Humanizing automation in digital marketing starts with one simple question: are your messages building connection or causing disconnection?

Many brands rely on automation. It saves time and reaches more people. However, real engagement comes from genuine, human interaction. That’s where the challenge begins.

Why automation feels robotic

Why does the automatic feel robotic? Image: Reproduction

Automated messages often sound cold. They lack context. They ignore emotions. And worse, they flood inboxes with content people skip.

Common signs you're not speaking to humans:

• Your open rates keep falling

• Messages sound generic

• Customers don’t respond or engage

• Campaigns feel disconnected from real needs

• Feedback suggests your tone is off

These red flags signal the need to adjust your approach. People crave personal attention, not scripted messaging. So, what’s next?

Add personality to your digital communication

Start by changing your mindset. Don’t think of emails, SMS, or SEO as tasks. See them as conversations. And every conversation deserves a human tone.

Focus on the following:

• Speak like a real person, not a machine

• Use your customer’s language

• Include humor or emotion when it fits

• Avoid over-automated templates

• Show empathy in your content

Even small tweaks can dramatically improve perception. People connect with content that reflects their values and daily life.

Data-driven vs emotionless

Automation runs on data. That’s great. But data doesn’t need to strip away emotion. Instead, use it to deepen the human touch.

Segment your audience not only by numbers, but by behavior. What matters to them? What are they trying to solve?

Combine:

• Demographic details

• Purchase history

• Content preferences

• Interaction patterns

Tailoring messages to these insights shows respect. You’re not just selling—you’re solving problems.

Personalization done right

There’s a fine line between personalization and intrusion. People love when brands “get” them. They dislike being followed too closely. Balance is key.

Smart personalization techniques:

• Use first names in subject lines

• Send birthday messages with real value

• Recommend products based on past interest

• Reference previous purchases

• Align tone with user’s preferred communication style

These details show effort and build loyalty, without crossing boundaries.

Human voice in email, SMS, and SEO

Each channel offers different opportunities to humanize automation. Let’s break it down:

Email marketing

Make subject lines feel natural. Keep tone friendly, not formal. Speak like a trusted advisor, not a brand rep.

SMS marketing

Stay concise. Use everyday language. Messages should feel like a friend texting helpful tips.

SEO content

Use natural phrasing. Structure content around real questions. Don’t write for algorithms: write for

humans searching for solutions.

A/B testing with empathy

A/B testing isn’t just for headlines and CTAs. Use it to test tone, style, and message warmth.

For example:

• Try casual vs. professional tone

• Compare emoji use

• Swap short vs. detailed intros

• Test different emotional appeals

The goal is clarity with personality, not just conversion. People remember how you make them feel more than what you sell.

What brands gain by humanizing automation

Adopting a more human tone isn’t just “nice to have.” It drives real business outcomes.

You can expect:

• Higher engagement rates

• Longer customer lifetime value

• Better brand sentiment

• More referrals

• Deeper emotional connection

When people feel heard, they respond. They buy. They stay loyal.

Let Prest help you speak to people, not robots

Prest helps you humanize your marketing strategy.  Image: Reproduction.

At Prest, we specialize in email marketing, SMS marketing, and SEO that actually connects. We don’t just push content, we help you speak to people like people.

Through:

• Advanced segmentation

• A/B testing with purpose

• Data with emotion

• Campaigns tailored to human needs

We help brands build trust, connection, and measurable growth. You don’t need to choose between efficiency and humanity, you can have both.

Let’s elevate your marketing. Let’s make every message count.