11 Proven Tips to Get More Customers to Open Your Emails

Do you know your email open rate? Are your email open rates a source of embarrassment? Taking steps to improve your current open rate is easier to do than you may think. According to Epsilon.com, email open rates sport an industry average of around 27.4 percent, with wide variances for markets. Knowing your email open rates and ways to improve them ought to be high on your to-do list!

Here are 11 proven tips for boosting your email open rates.

1. Start with a great subject line - This is actually the most significant aspect in whether or not your emails get opened. Take your time to write great subject lines. Think about problems your readers might try to solve or overcome.
2. Write something you would read - Creating terrific content is without a doubt the most effective way to get your email opened and read. Focusing on current topics helps a lot.
3. Use your first email sentence effectively - The first sentence determines whether or not the reader will read the rest.
4. Know your list -- This is huge. If you have a list made up of "general interests" it is really hard to gauge what those list members might be interested in and what problems they might try to solve.  On the other hand, if your list is made up of people interested in "health and fitness" and your emails are related to their interest, your chances of.  Segment your list and stick to topics your list members are interested in. 
5. Offer great deals and savings - Everyone loves to save a little and your email is a fantastic platform to pass on any deals or specials your business is offering. Always include a call to action and don't forget to include a link back to your website or blog.
6. Be the authority - Position yourself as someone who offers something worthwhile for your readers, your open rates will flourish. Most everyone likes to learn something new.
7. Show your personality - By all means, be entertaining. Don't be StatMan. Don't be scared to inject humor, wit, and a little debate on occasion.
8. Is your "From" line recognizable? - Make sure it shows you or your company name you want to brand, as this builds trust over time.
9. Be sure and resend your unopened email - Most never do this and it is quite simple to do, resending your unopened email is a simple way to raise your open rates.
10. Length & timing - We're all very busy, and lengthy emails that ramble and fail to get to the point are seldom looked forward to. Furthermore, not making use of optimum sending times doesn't help.  Tuesdays and Wednesdays are still the best days to send email.
11. Use Bullets, Images or Embed Video - Most of us scan rather than read every single word. Utilize bullets when you can and make your email media rich whenever possible.

I hope this information helps improve your email marketing campaigns.  If we can help you in any way with an email marketing strategy and implementation give me a call at (707) 853-0702 or visit our website.

Wishing you much success with your email campaigns!

Birgit