Singularity Effect
One named person moves us more than a number does.
Why it matters
A single person is easy to picture and care about. Large numbers are hard to feel anything about.
How to use it
- Name the person when it is real.
- Say what they did, and how it involves the reader.
- Keep totals for when the size is the point.
Example
"Priya replied to you" gets opened more often than "12 people joined the discussion".
Watch out
Only use it when it is true. Pretending a marketing message came from a friend is a fast way to lose trust.