How Do You Increase the Open Rate of Your Marketing Emails?
Marketer Focus
How Do You Increase the Open Rate of Your Marketing Emails?
To help you boost the open rate of your marketing emails, we asked founders and CEOs for their best strategies. From using a cheeky subject line to personalizing subject and preview lines, here are six effective methods these leaders shared to increase email engagement.
- Use a Cheeky Subject Line
- Leverage Fear of Missing Out
- Implement Dynamic Subject Lines
- Incorporate Social Proof
- Use 'RE:' in Subject Line
- Personalize Subject and Preview Lines
Use a Cheeky Subject Line
This method definitely comes under the heading 'cheeky—only to be used sparingly.' We call it the Wolf Cry subject line. We have found the open rate changes dramatically when the subject line insinuates something negative. By using phrases such as 'Oops, we made a mistake' or 'Please accept our apology,' the desire to discover the disaster is overwhelming, leading to more people opening the email. Of course, if used too often, the effect is diminished, but it certainly has its place in the toolbox.
Leverage Fear of Missing Out
One effective method I've used to increase the open rate of marketing emails is leveraging the fear of missing out (FOMO). Crafting subject lines and content that create a sense of urgency and exclusivity can significantly boost engagement.
For instance, using phrases like "Limited-Time Offer," "Exclusive Access," or "Don't Miss Out" in the subject line can compel recipients to open the email immediately. Inside the email, highlighting time-sensitive deals, limited availability, or unique opportunities that are not to be missed further reinforces this sense of urgency. By tapping into the natural desire to not miss out on valuable offers or experiences, you can drive higher open rates and more active engagement with your email content.
Implement Dynamic Subject Lines
One effective method is implementing a dynamic subject-line strategy. For example, if a user recently browsed social media scheduling tips, the subject line might reference new tools or strategies in that area. This level of personalization ensures the email stands out in their inbox, capturing immediate attention and prompting higher open rates. This approach has significantly driven engagement and strengthened our connection with our audience.
Additionally, we regularly A/B test these subject lines to determine which styles and keywords perform best. This iterative process helps us refine our approach, ensuring that our emails continually resonate with our audience's evolving interests and needs. By staying attuned to these preferences, we've seen a marked improvement in our email open rates, ultimately fostering stronger relationships and higher overall engagement.
Incorporate Social Proof
One innovative method we've used to increase our email open rates is the strategic use of social proof. We often sprinkle reviews, testimonials, and ratings from consumers who have already enjoyed our products or services in the email subjects. This method, we speculated, would foster trust and curiosity, moving our subscribers to at least open the emails to see what other people are saying. This approach turned out to be a success, largely increasing our email open rates.
Use 'RE:' in Subject Line
It's simple and a throwback to old-school marketing, but putting 'RE:' in the subject line really helps with open rate. This is most effective for 1:1 outreach, when you're pitching content or some other objective where you need a specific person to respond to you. I've noticed a big difference with this simple technique.
Personalize Subject and Preview Lines
It’s best to put yourself in your audience’s shoes to create content that they would interact with. Creating an engaging subject and preview line can contribute to a successful open rate. Making it short and sweet, as well as using their name to personalize it, are great ways to get your audience to click on your marketing emails.
