Throughout the day, I probably receive on average between 30-50 emails including newsletters in which I have subscribed to. Finding time to sift through all these emails can sometimes be a daunting task and especially if it’s not important, chances of it instantly being deleted are at an all time high. So the question remains, when doing email marketing, how can I receive more opens with my emails?

 

blog_mailEmail Marketing Guidelines

1. Subject Lines
Create subject lines that best tell what’s inside and any promotions. I personally find myself clicking on emails with subject lines that have something to offer. If there is any benefit to the subscriber, make it known!

  • Example: [CompanyName] Weekly Promotions and Events

 

2. Get Past Spam Filters
This is a key element in email marketing as spam filters target specific keywords and phrases that are more likely used for spam. Using all caps and exclamation marks are just a few things to avoid.

 

3. Update your List
If you are receiving high “hard” bounce rates (which means the email address failed), chances are that your list hasn’t been updated lately. These email addresses may no longer exist or an error was made when the subscriber originally signed up. Keep in touch with all subscribers and ask to receive any newly updated emails, so that subscribers don’t get booted from your list.

 

4. Be Rememberable
Having your email newsletter marked as “This is Spam” or receiving an unsubscribe is often a huge disappoint. Sometimes this simply boils down to the fact that the subscriber doesn’t remember who you or your company is. Therefore, a subscriber can see this as an act of spam or feel led to unsubscribe.

  • Use “From” wisely and make sure it contains your company name to provide instant recognition.

 

5. Make it Mobile
If your email newsletter isn’t mobile friendly, you will have a huge issue. More and more people are checking their emails on a smartphone than the traditional desktop computer and this number continues to be on the rise! So make your email newsletter accessible for a mobile device. The good news is that a variety of popular email marketing companies (like Mailchimp) already implement this into their applications!

 

6. Give Value
Ask yourself, what value does the subscriber receive from reading your email? If you don’t have an answer, this is a great place to start! This could be a upcoming product preview that isn’t available to the general public yet, an insider tip, early access to a sale/promotion, or a newsletter only promotion code!

 

While there is more battle now for your attention in regards to emails, these are just a few strategic steps that you can take to receive more opens and click-throughs. Try some out and see if your statistics go up! Keep implementing, evolving, and thinking differently to generate subscribes and gain more opens!

 

R2F Creative LLC provides graphic design + branding and web design solutions for clients nationwide and locally in Ankeny and Des Moines, Iowa.