3 ways to get your emails opened
Ready to have some fun? Because that's what emails should be - they should be valuable to the reader.
Whether that's by being fun, handy, money-saving (but like, don't do too many of those promotion emails even though a percent off always gets a click), entertaining, or thought-provoking, that's the goal of your emails.
But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's get those emails opened first! Here are 3 ways to do that.
#1. Curious but not clickbait.
When it comes to your subject line you want people to open it, right? It's one of the two things (wait 'til #3 for the second) that stands between you and a great email open rate.
So how do you make your audience curious enough to open it, but not annoyingly click bait-y 'cause then they'll never open your emails again?
You could do any (or all) of these:
Tell them what's inside. Literally tell them. Because if your email is fun/handy/money-saving/beneficial to them in any way, they'll be ready to open it. (e.g Up there with the cutest thing you've ever seen/ Things I learnt at Apple / Here's your free bla bla bla)
Use numbers. People love numbers. It makes it feel quick and easy for them. (e.g 3 ways to get your emails opened/ 10 things I don't hate about you)
Add some personality. Brand tone of voice is a great way for your personality to shine in subject lines. Plus it cuts through all the other unread emails all shouting for attention. If your brand is quirky, own it. If it's clever, be clever. If it's sassy, be your sassiest self. It makes it feel more like there's a person writing the email than a brand, which is a win when it comes to choosing which emails to open. (e.g It's best to go with the Notorious V.A.G on this one/ Are we BFFs yet?)
#2. Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3.
The beauty of emails is that you can test subject lines. So all your (email shaped?) eggs aren't in one (computer shaped?) basket. Yeah that metaphor is weird, but maybe that'll make it easier to remember.
Write two subject lines and test them.
Then the one that gets the most opens after the test period. (or most click through, or conversions, or whatever it is you set as your test objective) will be pushed to the rest of your list.
Not only that but it means when you go to write your next email subject line, you'll have data to make it easier. The more you know, the easier it is.
#3. Write great* emails.
*'Great' as in emails that your audience want to read. What do they care about? What do they want to learn more about? What could get them from a to b? Why are they on your list in the first-place? What do they engage with most on your other platforms? What are you always asked for help with? You see where I'm going with this.
The more that you write emails that your audience love and get value from (hmmmm I sense a theme, do you?) the more likely they are to open your next email, even if the subject line is a bit boring.
Kapiche? Kapiche.
P.s want more help with email subject lines that get opened? My wise wordy friend Anna Rogan wrote her version of this subject today too. Check out her take here and you'll be doubly ready to make subject lines your bish.
