You can create the best email in the world but if your contacts don’t open it, your hard work is wasted. The key is to make your emails appealing from the moment they land in the inbox.
Getting more people to open your emails is the first step to any successful campaign. A few small tweaks to your usual approach, combined with some creative thinking, can noticeably improve your open rates. These practical tips will help your emails get noticed and read:
1. Create an engaging subject line
The subject line is one of the first things people see. Make it relevant to your audience and keep it short and simple so it stands out in a busy inbox. Avoid vague wording or anything that feels too 'salesy'. For more ideas, see our tips for creating successful subject lines.
2. Use your preheader wisely
The preheader is the short piece of text that appears directly under your subject line in people's inboxes. Paired with a strong subject line, it's a powerful way to improve open rates. Use it to give a little extra information about what's inside the email, encouraging readers to open it. You can also personalise it with your contact's name or other details to make the message feel more relevant. For guidance, see our preheader tips.
3. Choose a sender name people trust
People are more likely to open emails from someone they know or a company they trust. If your contacts won’t recognise a team member, include your company name. Keep it consistent so readers know the email is genuinely from you. Need more advice? Contact our friendly team for free, no obligation support.
4. Share helpful, relevant content
Think about what your contacts want from you and only send content that your audience will find helpful or interesting. This could be tips, updates, reminders or important information. When people find your emails useful, they're more likely to open future messages.
5. Target your emails
Not every campaign needs to go to everyone on your list. Send different messages to different groups based on factors such as industry, interests, location or past interactions. Emails that feel relevant to the recipient are much more likely to be opened and acted on.
6. Send at the right time
Even a strong email can go unnoticed if it arrives at the wrong moment. Consider both the day of the week and the time of day. Look at analytics from past campaigns or think about the routines of your audience. Sending your emails when recipients are most receptive can make a real difference to open rates.
7. Keep your contact list tidy
Check your email list regularly and remove contacts who consistently don’t engage. Sending emails to uninterested recipients can lower your overall open rates, increase spam reports and make it harder to see what’s working. A tidy, engaged list also helps your emails reach inboxes more reliably.
Need a hand with your email campaigns?
Whether you want help planning your emails, improving open rates or creating templates that get results, our friendly team at Smart Messenger is here to support you. Get in touch for free, no-obligation advice and make your campaigns work harder for you.
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