7 Ways to Humanize the Process of Marketing Automation

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Sabah Noor

date icon Sep 07, 2021

date icon 10 min read

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Have you ever received a marketing email that felt like a robot wrote it or interacted with an automated response that didn’t understand you? I know the feeling!

Marketing automation often gets a bad reputation for making customer interactions feel cold and impersonal.

But here’s the truth: marketing automation isn’t the problem—it’s how businesses use it. It helps brands engage with customers more personally, efficiently, and authentically when done right.

And it’s only becoming more essential. 37% of marketers believe automation will play an even bigger role. So the question isn’t whether to use it but how to authentically and engagingly.

Let’s explore 7 Ways to Humanize Your Marketing Automation and build deeper, more meaningful connections with your customers.

The Need to Humanize Marketing Automation

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced with marketing automation is ensuring it doesn’t feel robotic or disconnected.

Common Issues with Automation Without Humanization:

  • Cold and robotic messaging that doesn’t feel personal.

  • Overused first-name personalization that doesn’t feel authentic.

  • Irrelevant emails or offers that don’t match the customer’s preferences.

  • Automated responses that feel disconnected from human support.

Why Humanizing Automation Matters:

  • Higher customer engagement: Emails with personalized subject lines are 50% more likely to be opened.

  • Stronger brand loyalty: Customers feel valued when messaging resonates with them.

  • Better conversion rates: Well-timed, personalized messages increase sales significantly.

So, how do you make automation feel more human? Check out these 7 ways to humanize your marketing automation and create a more personal, engaging customer experience.

7 Best Ways to Humanize Marketing Automation

By integrating personalization, empathy, and real-time interactions, businesses can create meaningful connections while benefiting from automation's efficiency. Here are 7 ways to make your marketing automation more human-centric.

1. Coordinate with Sales for Better Customer Insights

One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is treating marketing and sales as separate entities. 

Customers get a more seamless and personalized experience when these teams work together.

How I’ve Implemented This Successfully:

  • Shared CRM Data: I integrate marketing automation tools with CRM platforms like HubSpot or Salesforce to track customer interactions and tailor automated messages accordingly.

  • Lead Scoring & Prioritization: Marketing identifies high-intent leads and alerts sales teams to follow up with a personalized approach.

  • Behavior-Based Follow-Ups: If a prospect engages with content but doesn’t take action, a sales rep reaches out with relevant insights rather than a generic pitch.

2. Go Beyond Just Using First Names (Leverage Smart Merge Fields)

Simply adding a first name to an email isn’t enough anymore. Customers expect personalization that reflects their interests, behavior, and past interactions.

The more relevant and specific your messaging is, the higher the engagement. Here’s how I take personalization a step further:

1. Dynamic Subject Lines

A generic subject line like “John, check out our new collection” feels impersonal. Instead, I use:

  • “John, your favorite running gear is back in stock!”

  • “Still interested in [product name]? Here’s something special for you.”

This grabs attention because it’s based on what they actually care about.

2. Customized Email Body Content

Using merge fields for past purchases, location, or browsing history makes emails feel more relevant. For example, an email can say:

"We noticed you love eco-friendly skincare—here are some new sustainable products just for you!"

This makes the message feel personal, not automated.

3. Personalized CTAs (Call-to-Action)

Even minor tweaks to CTAs can make a difference.

For abandoned cart emails, I use “Continue Where You Left Off” instead of a generic “Shop Now.”

These little details help customers feel seen, valued, and understood, which makes them more likely to engage with your brand.

3. Use Product Preferences and Purchase History

One of the best ways I’ve made automation feel more human is by using what I already know about my customers—their past purchases, browsing behavior, and interests.

This data isn’t just numbers; it’s an insight into what they want. By leveraging it, I can:

  • Recommend products they’ll love.

  • Offer exclusive deals tailored to their needs.

  • Remind them about items they showed interest in but didn’t buy.

For example, if a customer recently bought a smartphone, a well-timed email suggesting a matching case or screen protector feels helpful, not salesy.

Customers who see that your brand understands their preferences are more likely to engage, trust, and buy again.

How This Works Across Different Industries:

  • E-commerce: Personalized product recommendations based on previous purchases.

  • SaaS Businesses: Custom renewal offers or upgrades based on feature usage.

  • B2B Services: Content recommendations based on past interactions with blog posts or webinars.

4. Segment Your Customer Base for Hyper-Personalization

Not all customers have the same preferences, interests, or behaviors. 

That’s why I always segment my audience to send the right message to the right person at the right time.

Don't just send generic emails; divide your audience into specific groups based on behavior, demographics, or engagement levels.

How I Use Segmentation for Personalization:

Segmentation Type Example Use Case Expected Outcome
Behavior-Based Cart abandonment emails Higher conversion rates
Geographic Localized event invites Increased event attendance
Engagement Level Win-back campaigns for inactive users Reduced churn

For example, if I know a customer has opened multiple emails about a product but hasn’t purchased it, I send them an exclusive offer. If they haven’t engaged, I craft a win-back email with a personalized incentive.

5. Use Smart Alerts to Trigger Personalized Follow-Ups

Automation should enhance human interactions, not replace them. One of my strategies is setting up smart alerts that notify sales teams when a lead takes a high-intent action.

These alerts prompt timely, personalized follow-ups, making the interaction feel natural and well-timed.

Examples of Smart Alert Triggers:

  • Visiting a Pricing Page: The sales team receives an alert to follow up with a customized offer.

  • Engaging with a Webinar: A follow-up email includes relevant case studies and the next steps.

  • Inactive Users for 30+ Days: A personalized “We Miss You” email with an exclusive incentive.

6. Use Conversational AI and Chatbots the Right Way

When Chatbots are conversational, helpful, and seamlessly integrated with human support, they create a more natural and engaging experience.

Here’s how I optimize chatbots for better customer interactions:

  • Use Friendly, Human-Like Language, program your bots to say: 

    • “Hey there! Need help finding something?”

    • “Welcome back! Let me know if you have any questions.”

  • Seamless Handoff to Human Agents: If a chatbot detects frustration or a complex query, it instantly connects the customer to a real person.

  • Remember Past Interactions: When a customer returns, the chatbot picks up where they left off instead of starting from scratch.

7. Maintain a Human Voice in Your Automated Content

We’ve discussed this from the start—automation should feel human, not robotic. 

No one wants to read the same stiff, generic messages that sound like a machine wrote them.

Here’s how I make automated content feel real:

  • Conversational Tone: Instead of “Your order has been confirmed,” write - “Great news! Your order is on its way.”

  • Tell a story: Customer experiences and testimonials make messaging more relatable.

  • Make It Personal: “We’d love to hear what you think!” sounds more inviting than “We value your feedback.”

Automate Without Losing the Human Touch

Boost engagement with AI-driven yet human-centric marketing automation. Personalize, connect, and convert like never before.

How to Retain the Human Touch in Multi-Channel Marketing Automation?

In multi-channel marketing automation, balancing efficiency with genuine human connection is crucial. While automation streamlines processes, excessive reliance can make interactions feel robotic. 

Here’s how to maintain authenticity while leveraging automation across multiple channels:

  1. Personalization Beyond First Names: Go beyond generic personalization—use behavioral data, past interactions, and preferences to tailor messaging. Dynamic content can make automated emails, social media posts, and SMS feel like natural conversations rather than mass communication.

  2. Conversational AI with Seamless Human Handoffs: Chatbots and AI-driven responses are helpful, but always provide an option to connect with a human agent. Ensure that chatbot interactions smoothly transition to real customer support reps when needed, making the experience more organic.

  3. Consistent Brand Voice Across Channels: Whether it’s email, SMS, social media, or website interactions, your brand’s tone should remain warm, friendly, and conversational. Avoid overly formal or robotic language in automated messages.

  4. Behavior-Based Triggered Messaging: Instead of relying on time-based sequences, use user behavior to dictate when and how messages are sent. For example, if a lead abandons their cart, follow up with a message acknowledging their intent rather than a generic reminder.

  5. Two-Way Engagement Opportunities: Encourage real conversations by incorporating interactive elements like surveys, polls, and feedback requests. Respond to comments and messages on social media in a way that reflects your brand’s personality.

  6. Use Video and Voice Messages: Instead of plain text emails, experiment with video messages from your team or voice notes in chat support. This small effort can significantly increase relatability and connection with your audience.

  7. Test and Optimize for Human-Like Interactions: Review automated workflows, social media engagement, and email responses regularly. A/B tests different messaging styles to see which ones feel more authentic and elicit better engagement.

By thoughtfully implementing these strategies, businesses can create a marketing automation experience that feels more human—building trust and long-term relationships while maintaining efficiency across channels.

Conclusion

Many people think marketing automation makes interactions robotic, but that’s not true. It was designed to enhance the buyer’s journey, not replace real connections.

B2B businesses often struggle with this, but automation can strengthen relationships. The key is to keep it personal with smart segmentation, tailored messages, and timely follow-ups.

I hope these seven strategies help you create natural and engaging marketing. And if you need guidance, Saffron Edge can help you balance automation with personalization for the best results. Let’s make marketing more human—together!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is humanizing marketing automation important?

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Humanizing automation ensures customers feel valued and understood rather than treated like another number. It boosts engagement, fosters trust, and increases conversions by creating more relevant, personalized experiences.

What’s the biggest mistake businesses make with marketing automation?

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The most common mistake is over-automation without personalization. When businesses send the same messages to all customers, engagement drops. Another big issue is ignoring customer behaviour, leading to irrelevant or poorly timed messaging.

How can small businesses implement personalized automation effectively?

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Small businesses can humanize marketing automation by starting with basic segmentation, such as new customers, repeat buyers, and inactive users. Using affordable tools like HubSpot, ActiveCampaign, or MailChimp, they can automate outreach while keeping it personal. Instead of just using names, tailoring messages based on customer behavior and preferences makes interactions more meaningful.

What are the best tools for humanizing marketing automation?

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The best tools for humanizing marketing automation include HubSpot and Marketo for personalized messaging, ActiveCampaign and Klaviyo for dynamic email engagement, and Drift and Intercom for AI-powered, human-like chat interactions. Seventh Sense optimizes email timing, while Customer.io and Iterable enable real-time personalization across channels, ensuring authentic customer connections.

How do you measure the success of personalized marketing automation?

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Key metrics to track include email open and click-through rates, conversion and sales growth, customer retention and engagement, and A/B testing results to optimize automation strategies.

Turn Automation into Authentic Conversations

Don't let automation make your brand sound robotic. Learn how to personalize multi-channel marketing and drive real engagement.

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