Almost everybody uses email these days. In fact, over 319.6 billion emails were sent and received in 2021, and this number is only expected to grow.
So, it is no surprise that email marketing is still one of the most effective ways to reach your target audience.
But what good is an email if it never gets opened?
According to a study by Mailchimp, found that average email open rate was around 21.33%. In the same study, the average open rate for business and finance emails was 21.56% with a click-through rate of 2.72%.
Now, email open rates are important because they show you how successful your email marketing campaign is. If nobody opens your emails, then you’re not reaching anybody and your campaign is a failure.
The question is, how do you get more people to open your emails? Let’s take a look at the main reasons why your emails may not be getting opened and what you can do about it.
Read also: 5 Email Marketing Myths Debunked.
Why no one is opening your emails
a. Your subject line is uninteresting
Your email’s subject line is the first thing people see when they receive your message. If it isn’t interesting, then nobody is going to want to open it.
Your subject line needs to be attention-grabbing and make people want to know more. If you’re selling a product, then your subject line should highlight the main benefit of that product.
For example, if you were selling a new type of toothbrush that was guaranteed to clean teeth better than any other brush on the market, your subject line could be something like “The Best Toothbrush You Will Ever Use!”
b. Your email looks like spam
Another reason why people may not be opening your emails is that they think it’s spam. This is usually because the sender’s name or address looks suspicious or the email contains too many links and images.
To avoid this, make sure that you use a professional-looking email address ([email protected]) and include your company logo in the header of the message.
Also, try to limit the number of links and images in your email so it doesn’t look like one big advertisement.
Read also: 10 Email Marketing Tips To Grow Your Business.
c. You’re sending too many emails
People are often inundated with emails these days, so much so that some people have started using programs that filter out messages from certain senders into separate folders (such as Gmail’s Promotions tab).
If you are sending too many emails, then there’s a good chance that yours will get filtered out as well.
To avoid this, try limiting yourself to no more than 1 – 2 promotional messages per week.
Send any more than that, and chances are nobody will see them anyway.
d. Your target audience isn’t interested in what you’re offering
This is a common mistake that many businesses make. They think that because they’re interested in their product or service, everyone else must be too.
But the truth is, not everyone cares about what you’re selling. That’s why it’s so important to target your email marketing campaigns toward people who are actually interested in what you have to offer.
For example, if you were selling golf clubs, you would want to target your emails toward people who are interested in golf, not just general sports fans.
The best way to do this is to segment your email list by interests so that you only send messages to people who have signed up for them.
e. You’re not offering anything of value
Another reason why people may not be opening your emails is that they don’t see any value in doing so. This could be because the content of your message isn’t interesting or helpful, or it could simply be because there’s nothing in it for them (such as coupons or discounts).
To fix this, make sure that every email you send contains something useful for the recipient.
Whether it is a coupon code, an exclusive offer, or just some valuable information, if there’s something in it for them then they’re much more likely to open and read through your message.
f. You’re not personalizing your emails
Another way to make sure that your emails stand out is to personalize them for each recipient. This means including their name in the subject line and/or body of the message, as well as tailoring the content to their specific interests.
For example, if you knew that someone on your list was interested in golf, you could send them an email with a subject line like “10% Off Your Next Golf Club Purchase!” or “The Best Golf Tips Guaranteed To Improve Your Game!”.
Not only will this make people more likely to open your email, but it will also show them that you value them as a customer and are willing to pay attention to their needs.
g. You’re not sending mobile-friendly emails
More and more people are reading emails on their phones these days (in fact, over 50% of all email opens now occur on mobile devices).
So it’s crucial to make sure that your messages are optimized for small screens.
This means using shorter subject lines, and larger font sizes, and avoiding big blocks of text or images which can be difficult to read on a tiny screen.
There are a number of reasons why your emails may not be getting opened.
But by following the tips in this article, you can make sure that more people will see and read your messages.
Read also: How To Get More People To Open Your Emails.
8 Types Of Emails That Are Guaranteed To Be Opened
Yes, email marketing is one of the most efficient ways to reach your customers and promote your product or service in Canada.
But not all emails are created equal—some types are more likely to be opened and read than others.
Type 1: The “no-brainer” email: e.g. an update from a company you’re already invested in
One type of email that’s guaranteed to be opened is an update from a company you’re already invested in. These emails usually contain information about new products, services, or features that would be of interest to current customers.
If you’re running a business in Canada, you can apply this concept by sending updates about your latest offerings to your existing customer base.
Why not promote your new product or service on social media or in your email newsletter? You could even offer a discount or coupon code to sweeten the deal.
Type 2: Personal email: e.g. an update from a close friend or family member
Another type of email that is almost guaranteed to be opened is a personal email.
Whether it is an update from a close friend or family member, we’re all curious about what’s going on in the lives of those we care about.
So how can you apply this to your business?
One way is to send periodic updates to your customers and clients, letting them know what’s new with your company and why they should continue doing business with you.
These types of emails build trust and foster relationships – two things that are essential for any successful business.
The goal is to make them consider you as a friend and part of their family. And that is why we mentioned earlier, you need to avoid sending more promotional emails.
Type 3: The FOMO email: e.g. an invitation to an exclusive event or sale
The FOMO email is an email that creates a sense of urgency or scarcity, usually by offering a limited-time sale or exclusive event.
These types of emails tend to be opened more often because people don’t want to miss out on a good deal.
If you’re thinking about using FOMO emails in your own business, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, make sure that your offer is truly exclusive and worth taking advantage of.
Second, create a sense of urgency by setting a deadline for the offer.
And finally, don’t send too many of these types of emails or your subscribers will start to feel bombarded and may even unsubscribe.
Example of a FOMO email:
Hi [name],
I wanted to let you know about a special event we’re having that you might be interested in. It’s a private sale for our best customers, and it’s happening tomorrow only. You’ll get access to exclusive discounts and early access to new products. If you’re interested, please RSVP by clicking the link below. Hurry – spots are limited!
[link]
Thanks,
[Your name]
Type 4: The helpful email: e.g. a tip or trick that makes life easier
These are the emails that promise to make our lives easier in some way. They might be a tips and tricks article, a how-to guide, or even just a list of resources that will come in handy.
We can’t resist opening these because we’re always looking for ways to make our lives easier (and who doesn’t love a good list?)
If you’d wish to send such emails and build your business, make sure you are truly helping your subscribers and not just trying to sell them something.
Provide value first, and then let them know about any products or services that might help them even more.
For example, if you own a pet store, you could send an email with tips on how to care for your new puppy. At the end of the article, you could include a link to your online store where they can buy food, toys, and other supplies for their pup.
Type 5: The feel-good email: e.g. a story that warms the heart or makes you laugh
When it comes to email, we all want to see messages that make us feel good. Whether it is a hilarious story or a heartwarming update, these are the types of emails that always seem to get opened more.
Why?
Because they brighten our day and remind us that there’s still good in the world.
So next time you are wondering what to write in your next email, consider one of these feel-good options:
- The update from a faraway friend: We love hearing from friends who live far away, and these emails always seem to bring a smile to our faces. It’s great to catch up on all the news and see how everyone is doing.
- The funny story: We all need a good laugh now and then, and emails featuring funny stories are guaranteed to put a smile on our faces.
- The inspiring story: These emails always seem to come at just the right time, when we need a little boost of motivation or inspiration. They remind us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it.
Type 6: The outraged email: e.g. a call to action about something you’re passionate about
These are the emails that get people talking. They make recipients want to chime in with their two cents, and they’re often passed along to others.
The key to writing an outraged email is to be specific about what you’re upset about, and why it matters to your reader.
When done well, an outraged email can be a powerful tool for getting people on board with your cause.
But if you are just angry for the sake of being angry, or you come across as judgmental and shrill, you’ll only alienate your readers.
Here are a few tips for writing an effective outraged email:
- Pick one specific thing to be upset about.
- Keep the focus on your reader, and how this issue affects them.
- Use strong language to convey your passion, but avoid using profanity or name-calling.
- Be respectful of opposing viewpoints, and be willing to have a dialogue about the issue.
- Encourage your reader to take action, and provide specific instructions on how they can help make a difference.
Type 7: The “I owe you” email: e.g. a thank you for a recent purchase, a response to an email inquiry, etc.
When you send an “I owe you” email, you are sending a message of appreciation.
You are thanking the recipient for their business, and this type of email usually has a high open rate.
After all, who doesn’t like to feel appreciated?
If you run a business, there are many ways you can use the “I owe you” email to your advantage.
For example, you can thank customers for their recent purchase, or respond to an inquiry they made. Either way, the customer will appreciate your gesture, and it will strengthen your relationship with them.
“I owe you” emails are effective because they show appreciation. They make the recipient feel good, and as a result, they are more likely to do business with you again in the future.
Type 8: The “I’ve been meaning to…” email
For example, a follow-up from a previous conversation, an update on a project or campaign, etc.
When you finally get around to emailing that person back, they will be more than pleased to hear from you.
In fact, they will probably be thrilled that you remembered them at all! This is the type of email that gets opened more often because there is a personal connection.
You can apply this to your business by sending follow-up emails after conversations or updates on projects. This shows your customers or clients that you care about them and are invested in their success.
You can apply this to your business by asking your subscribers to reply. And then start a conversation with them.
This shows your customers or clients that you care about them and are invested in their success.
So, next time you have an email sitting in your drafts folder gathering dust, take a few minutes to send it off. It just might make someone’s day.
Conclusion
There are a few key reasons why the types of emails listed in the article are more likely to be opened than others. First, they offer something that is valuable or relevant to the recipient.
They also create a sense of urgency or curiosity that encourages the reader to open them. Finally, they have a subject line that is interesting and makes it clear what the email will be about.
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